Here are the Eastern Conference newspapers.
– Apparently New Jersey Devils coach Brent Sutter doesn’t take losing or disobedience lightly, writes Bridget Wentworth of the Newark Star-Ledger, as he was in a foul mood during yesterday’s team practice, exploding on grinder Arron Asham.
– The New York Post’s Larry Brooks says the Rangers lose games when their work ethic slips and they begin taking their opponents and their own skill level for granted.
– A mature Bryan McCabe is focusing more on his defensive play, and less on his power play statistics, writes Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star. It seems to be working as the Leafs are winning more games, and the boo-birds are tiring.
– Forward David Booth is injured, so top prospect Anthony Stewart has been recalled from Rochester of the American Hockey League, writes Patrick Dorsey of the Miami Herald.
– Mark Recchi scored two goals in his Atlanta Thrashers debut, but shoddy defensive play and turnovers factored heavily into last night’s 5-3 loss to the Bruins writes Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
– Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer, writes more about Tuesday’s 8-2 Philadelphia Flyers victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Michel Therrien accused Flyers Coach John Stephens of running up the score.
– The Carolina Hurricanes were humiliated 6-0 last night by the Ottawa Senators, at home to boot. Luke Decock of the Raleigh News Observer says it was ugly, as Scott Walker received a match penalty for headbutting Sens forward Mike Fisher, which may attract further disciplinary action from the National Hockey League.
– Habs rookie defenseman Ryan O’Byrne is following a common learning curve for young NHL defenseman, and has some pretty good mentors in Roman Hamrlik, Patrice Brisebois and Mike Komisarek, writes Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette.
For Illegal Curve, I’m Ezra Ginsburg.
