The Morning Papers: Friday Edition

• The Atlanta Thrashers have recalled forward Jordan LaVallee from the Chicago Wolves.
• The Carolina Hurricanes had more than they could handle last night in the Panthers, who came to Raleigh and blanked the ‘Canes 5-0.
• Tomas Vokoun was the story last night as the Panthers, who are taking time to savor the win,  shut out the Hurricanes on their home ice.
• A big first period sparked the Lightning to a 6-4 win over the Maple Leafs. In other news, the Lightning’s rebuilding plan may have finally came to light.
• The mood has lightened in the Senators dressing room, as they are on their first three game win streak of the season. Meanwhile, Bryan Murray told John Paddock to shut it.
• Curtis Joseph’s heroics came a little too late in Tampa last night, where Vesa Toskala had a rough outing.
• Red Fisher notes that there are plenty of reasons for the Canadiens’ slump. Georges Laraque chose family over the Oilers.
• Bruins coach Claude Julien tried a different approach with Patrice Bergeron on the PP to spark that unit.
• The Sabres think that the Sharks look good this year.
• The Islanders’ Doug Weight is sidelined for 6 weeks with some MCL damage.
• Sergei Gonchar faces enormous pressure to help the team when he finally returns from injury. Meanwhile, Bill Thomas has been winning faceoffs for the Pens.
• Tom Renney gave the Rangers some motivational reading to try and bust their slump.
• The Flyers were stymied by Sens’ rookie Brian Elliott last night. That being said, the Flyers didn’t look all that good last night.
• Martin Brodeur is taking shots in practice, but Scott Clemmensen will get the nod this weekend. Diminutive center Brian Gionta displayed his physical side on Wednesday night.
• Chris Osgood finally got it done last night by ignoring the numbers. The Wings won last nights game with help from their secondary scorers.
• A preview of the Wings-Jackets game tonight. The BlueJackets are getting some help from their prospects during this playoff drive.
• Dale Tallon and Martin Havlat have entered into contract talks. The Hawks-Blues games is previewed here.
• The Blues learned a painfu lesson last night, losing 4-3 to the Predators in a shootout.
• Nashville was pleased with their last second come from behind win over the Blues last night. Steve Sullivan knew better than to take Chris Mason lightly in the shootout.
• Mikka Kiprusoff stole the show last night in LA, blanking the Kings 2-0. Craig Conroy has no intentions of leaving hockey just yet.
• The Canucks had to rally to defeat the struggling Phoenix Coyotes.
• A preview of the Avs-Habs game tonight. Former Av Peter Forsberg was impressive in his return to the ice last night.
• Ladislav Smid has been reliable lately for the Oilers, who will likely be on the lookout for blueline help at the deadline.
• The Wild were no match for the precision of the Red Wings, writes Michael Russo. Jacques Lemaire is comfortable giving Derek Boogaard “death glares“.
• Can the Sharks revive their offense in Buffalo? Sharks rookie Devin Setoguchi was on the hook for a 5 figure dinner tab the other night in Boston.
• The Kings see their 4 game win streak stopped by the Flames.
• The Anaheim Ducks don’t mind taking a break now and then.
• The Dallas Stars have received a boost from the return of Jere Lehtinen.
• The Coyotes have only themselves to blame for last night’s loss to Vancouver. The Coyotes sent struggling rookie Kyle Turris down to San Antonio.