Monday Morning NHL Papers (Eastern Conference): Mikhail Grabovski and Francois Beauchemin scrap at practice, Paul Maurice gets vote of confidence and Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo excited to play Sharks tomorrow

Atlantic Division

• It looks like Johnny Oduya, Jay Pandolfo and Rob Niedermayer will all be back in the Devils lineup by week’s end.  Patrik Elias might be producing offensively but he still doesn’t feel 100%.
• John Tortorella is getting fed up and, as a result, his doghouse is increasing.  Tom Renney wasn’t perfect, but his team’s were far better in the defensive zone than Tortorella’s has been, points out Larry Brooks.  In other news, Matt Cooke has only been suspended for two games for his hit on Artem Anisimov.
• The Flyers need to increase scoring but coach John Stevens says he isn’t unhappy with the team’s work ethic.  Amazingly, John Stevens is only 56 games behind Mike Keenan for second most regular season games behind the Flyers bench.
• Eric Godard is demonstrating to onlookers that he is more than just a fighter.  Dan Bylsma knows this year is long with the Olympics and all, so he doesn’t want his players on the practice ice and expending energy for no apparent reason.  Injured defenseman Jay McKee could return tonight to face the Rangers.  Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has some notes about the Penguins.

Northeast Division

• In Boston, Patrice Bergeron is feeling no ill effects of the hard shot he took off the ankle on Saturday.  For all their faults, the Bruins still sit in first place in the division.
• Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News discusses the decision by Lindy Ruff to change his forward lines, as the new lines worked well over the weekend..  (Writer’s note: Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News will be one of the guests on the IllegalCurve.com Radio Show this Wednesday night at 7pm Central time.)
• Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail calls this upcoming Friday’s HNIC Habs/Bruins broadcast must-see television.
• Look who is next for the Senators, as the team ventures across country to play Dany Heatley and the Sharks on Tuesday.  Both Milan Michalek and Jonathan Cheechoo are admittedly pumped up for Tuesday’s game.
• It is hard to judge Brian Burke’s tenure in Toronto after one season, just ask Ken Holland, explains David Shoalts of the Globe & Mail.  Mike Komisarek returns to the Leafs lineup tonight with a new attitude.  Mikhail Grabovski got into it with Francois Beauchemin at practice on Sunday.  “They were arguing over the last Curb Your Enthusiasm episode,” said the always witty Ron Wilson about the altercation.

Southeast Division

• The Thrashers’ success as of late is almost all attributable to goaltending, explains Chris Vivlamore.
• “I stand firmly behind him,” said Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford about coach Paul Maurice on Sunday.
• Peter DeBoer doesn’t seem too much difference in the play from when the Panthers were winning to now, when the Panthers cannot seem to buy a win, writes George Richards.
• Perhaps Steve Downie’s maturation process has been furthered by the presence of Rick Tocchet behind the bench, as the young forward is playing a far more disciplined game than ever before.
• David Steckel plays many roles for the Capitals, contributing in the goal department, however, has not been one of them.

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