NHL Morning Papers–Eastern Conference (Friday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• While they did lose Daniel Alfredsson to what looks to be a concussion, the Senators are at least scoring again as they defeated the Leafs 8-2 last night to move closer to securing a playoff spot.
• William Houston tells readers that the NHL and NBC are close to agreeing to a one-year contract extension.
• The Canucks finished their late season collapse last night with a 2-1 loss at home to Edmonton, writes Ben Kuzma of that National Post.
• Alexander Ovechkin is playing out of his mind, as Mike Brehm of USA Today writes.
• Kevin Allen of USA Today tells readers that teams which added defense at the deadline seem to have benefited the most.

Here are the Northeast Division morning papers:

• The Habs moved into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference and sent Buffalo home for the summer with their 3-1 win at the Bell Centre last night. Legendary writer Red Fisher believes Carey Price can lead the Habs to the promised land.
• The Senators were victorious last night over the Leafs, however coach Bryan Murray said that both Daniel Alfredsson and Mike Fisher won’t be ready for the first round of the playoffs. Off the ice, apparently the Senators will consider Bob Hartley a candidate for their head coaching position next season.
• Last night’s loss to Ottawa was just another embarrassing defeat for the Leafs this season, writes Paul Hunter. The Leafs, in their current form, are a joke, opines Damien Cox.
• “We’ve got enough talent here and good players to make the playoffs. There’s no excuse. We didn’t do it,” said Sabres defenseman Jaroslav Spacek after his team was eliminated from playoff contention with a 3-1 loss to the Habs last night. While the team had a disappointing season, they can take solace in the play of Daniel Paille.
• The Boston Globe has an interesting story about David Krejci’s decision to play in the CHL. Stan Grossfiled of the Globe has an insightful article about Patrice Bergeron and his efforts to return from his concussion.

Here are the Atlantic Division morning papers:

• “There’s no great celebration in here about making the playoffs,” said Rangers forward Scott Gomez after his team clinched a playoff spot with a 3-0 win over the Islanders. The Rangers still have their sights on improving their playoff seed.
• Sam Donnellon of the Philadelphia Daily News is not really sure whether John Stevens is a good coach or not. The Flyers are unsure of whether Daniel Briere will suit up tonight versus the Devils.
• Even prior to the season beginning, Sergei Gonchar knew the Penguins defense would be good, writes Dave Molinari. Meanwhile, Georges Laraque really respects Riley Cote.
• Mike Rupp has been really happy with his promotion to the Devils’ third line, writes Colin Stephenson.
• “He looks like he has a good upside to him,” said Islanders coach Ted Nolan about rookie Jack Hillen’s NHL debut last night versus the Rangers.

Here are the Southeast Division morning papers:

• If the Hurricanes win tonight, they are the Southeast Division champions, but if they lose then they no longer control their own fate.
• When in doubt, jump on the back of the Ovechkin train and that is what the Capitals did last night, writes Tarik El-Bashir.
• With the off-season upcoming, the Thrashers have seven players up for free agency.
• Forget the game, the Lightning were furious about a cheap shot at Vincent Lecavalier which left the superstar with his arm in a sling.
• The Panthers are looking to play spoiler tonight versus the Hurricanes.

The Western Conference morning papers are soon to follow…

For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.

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