Here are the morning papers for Friday the 27th of March:
- “This is a really good opportunity for my career,” said new Ducks forward Petteri Nokelainen about his trade to Southern California.
- “We just yelled at each other a little bit, got the negative energy out of us,” said Thrashers captain Ilya Kovalchuk about the team’s intense second period talk that served as a catalyst for a comeback victory over the Rangers.
- Stephane Yelle knows his role on the Bruins does not include the need to score goals. Bruins defenseman Mark Stuart has confidence in his game, and that has been the main reason for his improved play.
- Dominic Moore isn’t hyping up his first game versus the Leafs since being traded from Toronto. Ryan Miller returns to the Sabres net tonight.
- In maybe the most important game of the season to date, the Flames were awful last night in Columbus, writes Steve Macfarlane. It is pretty simple, if the Flames want to score they have to start hitting the net. That is two straight games without a goal for Calgary.
- The Carolina Hurricanes have signed college defenseman Jamie McBain.
- Nikolai Khabibulin is slated to start between the pipes tonight for Chicago versus the Devils.
- Tony Granato wants to see this thing through and get the Avs back to the way they used to be, writes Irv Moss in this morning’s Denver Post.
- The Blue Jackets played their best game of the season last night versus the Flames, writes Aaron Portzline. Columbus had its top line gunning, as the trio combined for nine points.
- “We left a point out there,” said Stars netminder Marty Turco after his team’s 1-0 shootout loss to the Los Angeles Kings. Stars captain Brenden Morrow would love to play a game this season.
- The Red Wings are one win away from becoming a member of a very special class. Although it is probably unlikely, Jiri Hudler may see some time at center over the next little while.
- Robert Tychkowski of the Edmonton Sun called the Oilers’ performance Thursday night in Phoenix a “debacle.” Edmonton must rebound tonight with a big game against the Ducks. The Oilers aren’t getting into a bidding war with the KHL over one of their prospects.
- A night after having a horrible third period, the Cats made up for it by scoring twice and defeating the Flyers 4-2 at the Wachovia Center. Craig Anderson was Florida’s star player. Panthers GM Jacques Martin says he does not regret not dealing Jay Bouwmeester at the deadline.
- The Kings pulled off a shootout victory over the Stars to keep their slim playoff chances alive.
- Click here to see how many miles the Wild has flown the past month. In injury news, Wild center Mikko Koivu will be re-evaluated today and it will be decided whether he can join his teammates on their trip to Alberta.
- The Habs were sharp defensively and ended up defeating the Lightning 3-2 in overtime. Red Fisher talks about Vincent Lecavalier’s season so far.
- Nashville played yesterday’s game without both Jason Arnott and David Legwand, and still rallied to beat the high-flying Sharks 3-2. Radek Bonk, assigned with the task of shutting down Joe Thornton on Thursday, did a heck of a job.
- “We just have to get back to playing like we’re capable of playing,” said coach Devils Brent Sutter. Zach Parise very well may break the Devils’ goal-scoring record and points record for one season.
- One thousand people showed up to a hearing for the Lighthouse Project on Long Island. Losses certainly serve as a learning experience for the young Islanders.
- “I don’t care what the guys said; we — tonight, ” said Rangers coach John Tortorella before leaving the post-game press scrum. Larry Brooks was not happy that Tortorella didn’t stick around to answer many of the questions he had about the Rangers’ blown lead yesterday.
- The Senators intend to give Cory Clouston a contract extension, pending owner Eugene Melnyk’s approval. Just because they are far out of the playoff race, the Senators don’t intend on quitting. Nick Foligno has been progressing well for the Senators.
- The Flyers put 40+ shots on Craig Anderson last night but he shut the door. The Flyers have signed goaltender Johan Backlund.
- The young Coyotes are in the process of learning how to win, and they got a head start on that goal with a win over the visiting Oilers on Thursday. “There’s no urgency right this minute, and at least based on the information I’ve been getting, things are on track,” says NHL commissioner Gary Bettman about the Coyotes ownership situation.
- The Lemieuxs and the Crosbys are bonding. Brooks Orpik has been a steading force for the Penguins.
- Evgeni Nabokov has been given the autonomy to make his own schedule heading into the playoffs.
- The young Blues defeated the Canucks last night and the fans in Missouri believe in the team’s playoff chances.
- Washington coach Bruce Boudreau has apologized to Lightning coach Rick Tocchet for Alexander Ovechkin’s goal celebration. Tocchet wants a win as revenge for Ovechkin’s celebration.
- What’s old is new again, as the spotlight is on Curtis Joseph in the GTA these days. In Brian Burke, Damien Cox trusts. Concussions are a difficult injury to predict. Brad May was brought in to be a mentor, and he has done that job well.
- “What can you say? They outworked us and I don’t think everybody showed up tonight. We all know that,” said Canucks leader Ryan Kesler. Not surprisingly, Roberto Luongo was the Canucks’ best player last night.
- The Capitals are hurting Alexander Ovechkin’s MVP bid with their poor play.