NHL Morning Papers (Thursday Edition): Bob Gainey and Sergei Kostitsyn have a little talk, Jonathan Toews gets steamrolled and the Leafs could play way off Hockey Night in Canada

“We didn’t start playing until the third period. That’s not acceptable in this league,” said Ryan Getzlaf after his team’s home loss to Dallas.
“I have some things in mind that I’m definitely going to implement,” said coach Randy Carlyle about possible changes in Anaheim.
Will Justin Pogge ever be an NHL netminder.
The Chicago Wolves of the AHL, the Thrashers’ minor league affiliate, have hired Don Lever as team head coach.
Ron Hainsey has become a vocal leader in the Atlanta dressing room, writes Chris Vivlamore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Patrice Bergeron stepped up last night and played one of his best games in a while, leading the Bruins to a 3-2 victory over lowly Nashville.

With Marc Savard injured, the Bruins need Patrice Bergeron to step up. (Picture courtesy of fanatique.ca)

You cannot really understate the loss of Marc Savard to the Bruins lineup.
Meanwhile, Tim Thomas will be a big factor in keeping the team’s collective head above water.
“I would characterize him as a good defensive forward with upside,” said Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli about Daniel Paille.
The Sabres came out hot last night and it led to an easy victory over Florida.
With another win, the Flames would be tied for the franchise record when it comes to best starts to a season.
If the Flames want to continue to play well, they have to cut down on penalties.
The Hurricanes continued their road struggles with a loss to the previously winless Islanders on Wednesday.
The Blackhawks may have lost the game, but more imporantly they lost Jonathan Toews to injury last night.
The Avalanche would love to have won in Minnesota, but the team still returns home after recording ten points in seven road games.
The Blue Jackets have scored more short handed goals than they have allowed power play goals, writes Aaron Portzline.
Blue Jackets fans may not recognize Gilbert Brule if he plays in tonight’s game in Edmonton (he has the flu) because the former team prospect is scoring at a point-per-game pace so far this season.
The Stars dominated the Ducks for two periods and held on in the third for an impressive victory.
The Red Wings are about to embark on a five game, eleven day road trip.
The Wings are hoping to have Pavel Datsyuk back in the lineup tonight versus Phoenix.
Pat Quinn says he wants his team to improve in the defensive zone.
Here are the new lines in Oilersland.
The Panthers fell behind very early in last night game against Buffalo, and changed up their lines in the second period but it wasn’t enough.
Dmitry Kulikov is making it hard for the Panthers to not keep him up with the big club.
Marc Crawford faces his former L.A. Kings squad tonight as coach of the Stars.

Marc Crawford coaches against his old squad tonight. (Picture courtesy of cbc.ca)

Mikko Koivu proved to Todd Richards and the Wild fans why he was selected as team captain, with a terrific performance over Colorado.
Meanwhile, the Wild is hoping to have Cal Clutterbuck in the lineup by next week.
Jacques Martin has promoted Maxim Lapierre to the team’s second line left wing spot.
Bob Gainey showed Sergei Kostitsyn who is boss in Montreal.
The officials got in the Predators’ way last night, but not with their calls, explains John Glennon of the Tennessean.
The Predators didn’t win but Colin Wilson scored in Boston, a dream spot for his first NHL goal.
Travis Zajac was still kept off the team’s top line on Wednesday.
Wouldn’t it be sweet for Martin Brodeur to tie the all-time shutout record at MSG.
It was only fitting that John Tavares scored the shootout winner in the Isles’ first win of the season.
Mark Messier still says Mike Richter was the reason Team USA won the World Cup in 1996.
It looks like Jason Spezza may miss a few games with an unknown injury.
The Flyers are hoping that Danny Syvret and Ole-Kristian Tollefsen can take some slack off the team’s top four defenders.
Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer is paging the Philadelphia Flyers in fear that the team is missing because of the absurd NHL schedule.
Speaking of the schedule, Dave Tippett doesn’t really understand it either.
Here is the latest on Sergei Gonchar’s injury in Pittsburgh.
With so much depth, Rob Rossi of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review thinks the Penguins can excel without Gonchar.
Jason Demers has done a good job replacing Christian Ehrhoff in San Jose.
“For whatever reason, we don’t seem to be collectively ready at the start of games. Whether it be mental, physical … I don’t know what it is,” said Blues President John Davidson.
It is official, Vincent Lecavalier knows how many games he’s played without a goal.
With a visit from former Bolts standout Dan Boyle, it should be a special night in Tampa Bay.
Are the Leafs victims to the sophomore slump?
If the Leafs continue to play poorly, they could find themselves off of HNIC.
If the Canucks play all the time like they did on Wednesday night in Chicago, the team has nothing to worry about.
This also played a big factor in the team victory:

rusty

I give the Oilers new top line about a period before it gets broken up. Gagner and Hemsky exhibit no chemistry.
Bob Roberts

•“We didn’t start playing until the third period. That’s not acceptable in this league,” said Ryan Getzlaf after his team’s home loss to Dallas.
•“I have some things in mind that I’m definitely going to implement,” said coach Randy Carlyle about possible changes in Anaheim.

Getzlaf looks frustrated, but the Stars are playing pretty good hockey whether or not Turco shows up, so losing 3-2 (plus an EN) isn’t THAT bad after only playing the third period. Hiller must feel abandoned.

•“I have some things in mind that I’m definitely going to implement,” said coach Randy Carlyle about possible changes in Anaheim.

Gee, Randy, any chance you’ve finally made your point — whatever it might be — with Bobby Ryan and could put your best line back together? What’s your “thinking”?: “Hey, I benched him last year and shredded him to the press and look how well he played! I know how to treat these upstart rookies. I’m the head coach!”. Time for Randy to go.

•Patrice Bergeron stepped up last night and played one of his best games in a while, leading the Bruins to a 3-2 victory over lowly Nashville.

Good for him. Classy guy who has fought his way back from serious injury.

•You cannot really understate the loss of Marc Savard to the Bruins lineup.
•Meanwhile, Tim Thomas will be a big factor in keeping the team’s collective head above water.

Remember all the pundits who said the Bruins would win the East and possibly the Cup? Remember I said they wouldn’t? I wish I was wrong because I really enjoyed watching them last year, but even before Savard went down they weren’t going to be taken lightly or catch anyone by surprise this year. Last year everything went right. this year…

•“I would characterize him as a good defensive forward with upside,” said Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli about Daniel Paille.

Like Kobasew? Was Kobasew a cap thing? Turfing him surprised me: he was very good for them last year.

•The Red Wings are about to embark on a five game, eleven day road trip.

Wings fans will be hoping for a return of the “Road Kings” team they are used to, but if they don’t get it…

And if they don’t get stellar goaltending…can you say “trade”? I knew you could…”Hello Garth? It’s Ken…” maybe?

•The Wings are hoping to have Pavel Datsyuk back in the lineup tonight versus Phoenix.

I don’t think Datsyuk has been the same player since the playoffs last year. I don’t know what it was that he suffered, but he stopped shooting with any authority long before the “foot” injury. Shoulder/arm/hand on the power side?

•The Blackhawks may have lost the game, but more imporantly they lost Jonathan Toews to injury last night.

Clean hit? Yes. Classless? Absolutely. By all means bump him hard out of the play, but taking advantage of that situation to deliver punishment like that is completely devoid of respect for another player. Not intent to injure, no, but ever so close. I’d always thought of Mitchell as a solid player. I hope he regrets not “pulling the punch”.

•Travis Zajac was still kept off the team’s top line on Wednesday.

Brilliant Jacques. Why not just bench Jamie and Zach too? Stupid mind games. Old school. It’s nearly 2010 there dude.

Here’s the stat story to back you up…nah, don’t have this guy on your top line, what a loser…

GP G A +/- PIM PPG ATOI SOG
7 4 3 2 4 2 21:48 22

Dainius Zubrus now…there’s your guy! Good choice.

GP G A +/- PIM PPG ATOI SOG
7 0 3 -1 2 0 16:41 10

Let’s see, 2 straight losses to start then 4 wins in 5 games…yup, time to shake things up, send a message. Know Randy out there in Duckland?
http://www.tipsforhockey.com Eric L.

I can’t believe the refs stopped the play right as Vancouver was about to score. I can understand that they were trying to break up a fight and protecting a player, but they’re supposed to wait if there’s an immediate scoring chance. That doesn’t mean they can’t step in between the two players, they just have to wait until the scoring chance is over before they actually blow the whistle.
http://www.illegalcurve.com Richard

Eric,

Very good point and I totally agree. The refs have to let that scoring chance develop before blowing the whistle. Poor decision.
http://www.illegalcurve.com Richard

Bob,

I agree on Ryan. They need him to get going with their defense not looking so hot. He is the team’s third best offensive player and at some point they just have to let him play.
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NHL Morning Papers (Thursday Edition): Bob Gainey and Sergei Kostitsyn have a little talk, Jonathan Toews gets steamrolled and the Leafs could play way off Hockey Night in Canada

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