Friday Morning NHL Papers (Western Conference): Ken Hitchcock losing patience in Columbus, Latendresse succeeding with less pressure, and Nabokov calls out teammate

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Central Division

• If you read this five years ago, you’d think the writer was nuts, but Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Tribune accurately depicts all that is right about the Chicago Blackhawks.  Brent Seabrook is sure happy to have arguably his three best teammates signed up long-term.  You could see the camaraderie between the three stars on display yesterday.
• “I think I have to take responsibility for the way we played today,” said Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock after another poor performance by his club.  For whatever reason, the Blue Jackets have trouble beating Eastern Conference teams.  Here is a really interesting article by Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch about Team USA’s decision to not invite R.J. Umberger to camp.
• The Wings played their worst game since they got blown out in Buffalo, says coach Mike Babcock.  Jonathan Ericsson injured his knee last night but may play on Saturday.
• With Dave Scatchard injured, the Predators have recalled Ryan Jones.
• The Blues tied the game in the last seconds and recorded a huge victory at San Jose last night, explains Jeremy Rutherford.  Here is a good piece on how difficult it is to balance matchups with evenly distributing ice-time.

Northwest Division

• With the three Hawks signing long-term yesterday, Darryl Sutter can relate to the pressures that come along with such decisions.  Miikka Kiprusoff did his part last night but his teammates only posted one goal, as the Flames lost to Phoenix.  (Writer’s note: I will have a Morning Papers Take on last night’s crowd later on this morning.)
• The Avalanche ran into the Crosby train last night and without Craig Anderson, it was too difficult a task.  Speaking of Anderson, he is listed as day-to-day with a neck injury.
• Daryl Katz has hired AEG to advise the Oilers ownership group on their proposed downtown project, writes Dave Staples.  Patrick O’Sullivan scored two goals last night, as the Oilers felt great about themselves after going into Detroit and gaining two points in the standings.  Weird for Oilers fans to see, but the team actually caught some breaks.
• Away from the pressure of playing for his home province’s team, Guillaume Latendresse looks confident in Minnesota, writes Rachel Blount.
• The showdown with Brodeur may have been the night before, but Roberto Luongo shut the door on Philadelphia in front of Steve Yzerman on Thursday.  It appears Alain Vigneault’s wishes for good play on the road is coming true.

Pacific Division

• The Ducks’ nightmare of a season continued last night with an unexpected loss, Eric Stephens has the details.
• Marty Turco was solid between the pipes and the Stars demonstrated good patience in the team’s big 3-1 win over Anaheim.  Marty Turco knows he has something to prove.
• The Kings’ scoring depth was on display last night in the team’s 6-3 win over visiting Ottawa, writes Helene Elliot.
• The Coyotes continue to prove doubters wrong, explains Jim Gintonio.
• Evgeni Nabokov called out Marc-Edouard Vlasic for not blocking the shot that tied the game last night.

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