Monday Morning NHL Papers (Eastern Conference): Bob Clarke thinks Eric Lindros is a Hall of Famer, Habs put through unexpected practice and Ryan Malone’s importance to the Lightning

Atlantic Division

• The Devils have taken a very relaxed approach to their current winning streak, writes Mark Everson.  Jacques Lemaire didn’t seem overly impressed that Dave Schultz was going to be honored by the Flyers tonight.
• Steve Zipay of Newsday gives the Rangers his first quarter grade.  Larry Brooks of the NY Post says Sean Avery isn’t the same Sean Avery as past seasons.  Coach John Tortorella wants his team to improve on the forecheck.
• In Philadelphia, Bob Clarke thinks Eric Lindros is a Hall of Famer.  “Even with my dislike of Lindros, I still think he should be in the Hall of Fame. You are supposed to be judged on how you play the game, not who likes you,” said Clarke.  Back to current Flyers news, James Van Riemsdyk is expected to play tonight.  Claude Giroux has struggled to score this season and he thinks playing on the wing may partly be a factor.
• The Penguins have not scored a power play goal in eight games.  In injury news, Alex Goligoski is questionable for tonight’s game.  Not surprisingly, Ruslan Fedotenko enjoys playing alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.

Northeast Division

• The second line of Wheeler-Krejci-Ryder is starting to find its groove in Boston.  Both Milan Lucic and Marc Savard are nearing a return.
• Here is Bucky Gleason’s weekly Inside the NHL column.  Tim Kennedy hasn’t torn it up offensively in Buffalo this season, but he only cares if his line is playing well and the team is winning.
• The Habs were put through a surprise practice on Sunday, in response to their dismal effort in Nashville on Saturday.   In his Monday morning column, Jack Todd of the Montreal Gazette thinks the Habs should never have let go Steve Begin, Francis Bouillon or Robert Lang.
• The Senators have a horrible shootout record.  The Senators better improve their play, because the schedule starts to get tough, writes James Gordon.
• The Leafs’ forwards just aren’t good enough to be a force at even strength, writes Dave Shoalts.  At least defenseman Carl Gunnarsson has given the Leafs fans something positive to focus on.  Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star gives his first quarter grades out for the Maple Leafs.  In the AHL, Christian Hanson is tied for the points lead for the Marlies.

Southeast Division

• Slava Kozlov finally scored his first goal of the season and it came at just the right time, writes Chris Vivlamore.  In injury news, Pavel Kubina sat out yesterday’s game with a lower-body injury.
• It sure took them long enough, but the Hurricanes finally ended their fourteen game losing streak on Sunday.
• The Florida ownership news will be announced this afternoon, with the team’s minority partners taking over.  On the ice, the Panthers host the Kings tonight.
• Ryan Malone has been very quietly productive this season with 12 goals, writes Joe Smith.  The Lightning visit the Coyotes tonight.

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