Here are the morning papers for Friday the 20th of March:
- “As long as we win, we don’t ask too many questions,” said Ducks goaltender Jonas Hiller after his team’s 3-2 shootout victory over Phoenix.
- Ilya Kovalchuk is expected to return tonight versus Detroit.
- The struggling Bruins blew a 2-0 lead at home to the young Kings on Thursday night and lost 3-2 in overtime. Boston couldn’t even muster a shot on net in overtime. Matt Hunwick moved back to defense for yesterday’s game and popped a goal.
- After a hard practice on Wednesday, Lindy Ruff lightened up a bit on his Sabres players with a scrimmage at practice on Thursday. “We’ve got to go out and play our best game of the year against Philadelphia,” said Tim Connolly about his team’s game tonight.
- The Flames won on Wednesday, but know they can play better tonight against St. Louis. Andre Roy says every member of the Flames is willing to drop the gloves. Warren Peters certainly paid his dues to make the NHL. What a season it has been for Jamie Lundmark. Here are the predictions for Blues/Flames tonight.
- Anton Babchuk has been on fire offensively for the Hurricanes.
- With five consecutive games at home, the Hawks hope to turn their struggles around.
- “I’m embarrassed by the way I played. I hope a bunch of guys are embarrassed too. That was ugly,” said Avalanche veteran Ian Lapperiere about the team’s worst home loss in Colorado history. Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post calls for Francois Giguere to be fired. In positive news, Joe Sakic was back on the ice yesterday and is expected to play before the regular season is up.
- If the Blue Jackets make the second round of the playoffs, Derick Brassard could return to the lineup.
- The Stars are hoping to have Brad Richards back soon. Tim Cowlishaw has a problem with the three-point game.
- Chris Osgood is coming around for Detroit. Andres Lilja (concussion) is starting to feel better. Valtteri Filppula is questionable for tonight’s game, while Tomas Holmstrom has been ruled out.
- The Oilers dominated Colorado at the Pepsi Center last night by a score of 8-1 and are hoping to carry that momentum into the Windy City for tonight’s game. Sheldon Souray with a cool story about how he learned to hit the net with his big slap shot. Are the Oilers going to switch AHL affiliates?
- The Panthers recorded a much-needed victory over the Leafs on Thursday to stay close in the playoff race. The Cats had 42 shots on net versus Leafs netminder Martin Gerber. Nick Boynton was scratched yesterday but was not angry with his coach about his decision.
- Here is the AP’s wrap-up story of the Kings’ come-from-behind win at Boston last night.
- Brian Rolston has only fond memories of Minnesota. It appears Marian Gaborik will finally return to the Wild lineup on Sunday.
- Carey Price’s struggles continued yesterday against Ottawa, and it looks like it may be Jaroslav Halak’s net from here on out. Meanwhile, Pat Hickey is impressed with the job Cory Clouston’s done in Ottawa.
- If you are sick of reading about hockey, here’s a nice legal problem that has surfaced in Nashville regarding the Metro and seat tax.
- Brent Sutter gave his players the day off on Thursday to relax and get ready for Friday’s game against Minnesota.
- The progress Bruno Gervais has demonstrated in his game this season has been startling.
- Ryan Callahan has reformed himself into a scorer under coach Tortorella.
- Jason Spezza wishes the season hadn’t gone the way it did during the first half. Jarkko Ruutu had quite the beautiful goal last night.
- Coach Stevens had totally new lines at Flyers practice on Thursday.
- Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky thought it was a good solid game last night even though his team lost in a shootout.
- The Penguins’ new penalty killing mentality is an interesting one, that has sure been effective. Chris Kunitz finally gets to play against a familiar team tonight, as the Kings come to Pittsburgh. Evgeni Malkin is the favorite for the Art Ross Trophy right now.
- Coach Todd McLellan was happy with both Devin Setoguchi and Jonathan Cheechoo in last night’s tilt versus Nashville. Ryane Clowe (lower body) is out of the Sharks lineup for at least a week.
- The Blues lost a big game at Vancouver and may also have lost Keith Tkachuk to injury.
- The Lightning players were not happy with Alexander Ovechkin’s excessive celebration last night. Steve Stamkos has been on fire lately.
- “Our D had a rough night,” said Ron Wilson after the Leafs allowed 42 shots in a loss to Florida. Bryan McCabe has nice things to say about Nik Antropov.
- Vancouver made it eleven straight wins at home with a 3-0 defeat of the desperate Blues. Willie Mitchell has been a rock for the Canucks on the back-end.
- Alexander Ovechkin scored his 50th goal of the season in yesterday’s win over Tampa Bay. Here is the video of Ovechkin’s post-game interview.