Monday Morning NHL Papers: Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

• With all the team’s injuries on defense, it is a good thing Lou Lamoriello acquired Bryce Salvador at the trade deadline last season, writes Mark Everson.  Meanwhile, the Devils need to play at home as they have been on th road.
• Jeff Tambellini has started coming into his own on the Island, writes Katie Strang.
• “I am not where I want to be,” said Marian Gaborik about his injury situation, but the Slovakian star still played yesterday and scored the only goal in the Rangers’ 1-0 victory over Boston.  The Callahan-Dubinsky-Avery line was notably effective, opines Larry Brooks.
• The Flyers are beginning to improve their five-on-five production, writes Frank Seravalli.  In other Flyers news, Blair Betts returned to the lineup on the weekend and was extremely effective in the face-off circle.
• In Pittsburgh, Jordan Staal is getting acclimated to the second line and his new linemates.  Coach Dan Bylsma is happy that his team is not playing on back-to-back nights on the team’s upcoming road trip.

Northeast Division

• All of the Boston scorers have gone quiet at the same time and it was sure apparent yesterday at Madison Square Garden.  The Bruins can take solace in the fact that Zdeno Chara did a heck of a job silencing Sean Avery on Sunday.  One could argue that the Bruins’ fourth line has been the Bruins’ best.
• Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News presents his NHL power rankings this Monday.
• The Habs’ 6-0 record in extra time is both impressive and troubling, explains Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette.
• Agent Allan Walsh joins the Ottawa Sun hockey writers to talk Senators.  Meantime, the Senators have a more difficult schedule in November than the team did in October.  The Senators, coming off a loss this weekend to Atlanta, would prefer to play before Thursday.
• Only in the NHL could the Leafs have one win in twelve games and still play in playoff range, writes Damien Cox.  The Leafs better hope that Phil Kessel doesn’t re-injure the same shoulder he had surgery on this summer.  Anyways, Brian Burke is making a point of not hyping up Kessel’s return.

Southeast Division

• The Hurricanes left the RBC Center ice to boos last night, as they lost their ninth straight game.  Luke Decock wonders why the team is struggling so badly, especially without any significant injuries.
• In Atlanta, John Anderson wants Bryan Little to shoot more.
• In Florida, Pete DeBoer is feeling good about his team and hopes they are about to make a run.  With the Hurricanes coming to town, the Panthers should be able to make it three wins in a row.
• Vincent Lecavalier has new linemates in Tampa again, this time his linemates will be Drew Miller and Stephane Veilleux.  Lecavalier’s teammate Steven Stamkos has proven to be a very mature 19 year old.
• The Capitals lost on Sunday but more importantly they lost Alexander Ovechkin to an upper-body injury.