NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition)

Here are the National morning papers:

• Alan Maki of the Globe & Mail provides readers with Bruins’ defenseman Andrew Ference’s take in the aftermath of the Patrice Bergeron hit.
• Kevin Allen of the USA Today gives readers the Flyers’ perspective of the Bergeron hit.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• The Oilers rode the strong play of their backup goalie Mathieu Garon to a 3-2 shootout victory over the defending champion Ducks last night in Anaheim. Prior to the game, Dustin Penner finally got his Stanley Cup ring from the Ducks. Also of note, Altanta’s direct of player personnel, Marc Dobson, caught his third Oilers’ game in the past few weeks which only makes Oilers’ fans wonder if there is a trade in the works.
• After Vancouver’s 3-2 home loss last night to Detroit, only two teams have recorded less points in the Western Conference than have the Canucks.
• The Ducks were so close to securing an elusive win last night before Andrew Cogliano scored a short-handed marker with less than two minutes to go in regulation to send the Oilers/Ducks game into overtime. The Ducks eventually lost in a shootout.
• The Blackhawks don’t want to squander too many more opportunities for points this early in the season because they understand it will comeback to bite them in the end.
• The Avalanche defeated the Wild yesterday afternoon and, as a result, remain undefeated on home-ice this season; Adrian Dater of the Denver Post has the story.
• The Stars are hoping to prolong the Sharks’ struggles tonight in Dallas.
• Chris Osgood improved his record to 5-0 as he led the Wings to a 3-2 victory over the struggling Canucks last night in Vancouver. Wings’ defenseman Niklas Kronwall missed last night’s game with a minor groin injury.
• The Wild couldn’t generate enough offense with Marian Gaborik and Pavol Demitra on the sidelines with groin injuries and, as a result, were defeated by the Avs 3-1 on Sunday night. Although he has a history of groin problems, Gaborik doesn’t expect to be out for long.
• Predators’ goaltender Dan Ellis has been impressive his past few games, but coach Barry Trotz says, “he still has a ways to go.”

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• The Habs have exceeded expectations so far this season writes Jack Todd in this morning’s Montreal Gazette.
• In Ottawa, Andrej Meszaros has rebounded from a sub-par 2006/07 and played this season at a very high level that bares more resemblance to his fine rookie season and not his disappointing sophomore performance. The way they are currently playing, the Senators look unbeatable opines Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun.
• The Capitals may be without three integral parts to their lineup tonight as they take on the Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre.
• Damien Cox of the Toronto Star says that once Bryan McCabe and Darcy Tucker return from their respective injuries they must fit more effectively within the team concept.
• Jason Ward has found the perfect comfort level in Tampa Bay writes Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune.
• Youngster Tyler Kennedy impressed the Penguins’ brass in his first game on Saturday versus the Habs but with Gary Roberts looking to return to the lineup, Kennedy may find himself watching from the press box. Meanwhile, Mark Recchi has been dropped from the team’s first line to the fourth line.
• In surprising news (please detect the sarcastic tone), the Flyers do not believe that the Randy Jones hit warrants a suspension.
• Islanders’ coach Ted Nolan brushed off Saturday’s blowout loss to the Hurricanes as “just one of those games.”
• Brendan Shanahan believes that by focusing on their lack of scoring instead of just getting wins, the Rangers are putting the cart before the horse.
• If the Devils continue to struggle, a shakeup could be in order writes Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger.
• The Panthers were looking to gather momentum going into the weekend but having lost both of their games, they are now looking to regroup. “Bottom line, the mental preparation’s got to be better,” says Olli Jokinen.
• The Sabres are finally back to square one with a 5-5 record writes John Vogl of the Buffalo News.
• The Bruins received good news yesterday as Patrice Bergeron was released from hospital. Former Provide College Star Jeff Sorowik who has sustained serious concussions of his own, believes that Bergeron will miss at least a month of action.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.