Here are the morning papers for Friday the 3rd of April:
- The Ducks prevailed in a highly exciting contest at GM Place last night. “Then they got the momentum, and we were able to seize it back, battled back to get ourselves in the hockey game. That’s a good sign from your group,” said coach Randy Carlyle after his team’s important win.
- Zach Bogosian of the Thrashers is an extremely mature 18 year old.
- P.J. Axelsson’s contribution to the Bruins cannot be measured in statistics. Kevin Paul Dupont cannot believe how far the Bruins have come in the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Michael Ryder has been more comfortable on the power play since Mark Recchi came to twon. David Krejci won the Bruins’ seventh player award.
- Lindy Ruff gave the Sabres’ top line a little bit a of talking to at practice on Thursday.
- With last night’s victory at Dallas, the Flames have clinched a playoff spot. Yesterday’s game also served to get the Flames back on track. Of concern, the Flames lost Robyn Regehr to a lower-body injury. Here are the predictions for tonight’s game at Minnesota.
- The Hurricanes won their seventh straight game yesterday, as they didn’t let Sean Avery distract them and defeated the Rangers 4-2. The Carolina fans were very, very loud during yesterday’s tilt.
- “We can make an impact in the postseason. We have all the tools. We have to get everyone playing well when it really counts,” said Sammy Pahlsson about his new Blackhawks teammates.
- Some of the Avalanche players have grown sick of losing. As reported yesterday, Ryan Smyth is done for the season with a broken hand.
- Michael Peca has picked up his game for the Blue Jackets as of late. (Writer’s note: Oilers fans will remember he did the same thing for them in 2006) Even if he’s not playing, Nikita Filatov is happy to be back in the NHL. Columbus has some fiercely loyal fans, writes Michael Arace.
- “The process of the whole season’s been frustrating and very disappointing,” said Stars veteran center Mike Modano after Thursday’s loss to Calgary.
- Detroit management and Johan Franzen appeared poised to come to a long-term contract extension. Sticking with this season, the Wings lost their third straight game on Thursday. In some ridiculous scheduling, the NHL has scheduled its first two NHL Finals games on consecutive nights.
- Terry Jones gives his take on the text message sent by Oilers owner Daryl Katz. Dan Barnes chimes in on the same. By the way, the Oilers lost last night so the season is pretty much done.
- The power play has been the key to success lately for the Panthers. George Richards tells us that the Cats probably have to run the table to get into the big dance. Did you know two of the Panthers’ last five games won’t be available on local television?
- “I thought he was our best player here tonight,” said Kings coach Terry Murray about Jonathan Quick after his team lost 2-1 to Phoenix.
- Michael Russo has the story of a hilarious conversation between Dion Phaneuf and John Scott the last time the Flames and Wild met. Legendary Minnesota sports columnist Sid Hartman writes that Jacques Lemaire does see some benefit coming from all of the Wild’s injuries. The Wild hopes it can be like 2003 all over again.
- The Habs now have a three point lead over the Panthers and sit seventh in the Eastern Conference after dominating the Islanders last night.
- Pekka Rinne’s netminding stats are not that far behind fellow rookie Steve Mason’s. Jason Arnott (concussion) won’t return to the Predators lineup until Tuesday at the earliest.
- Brent Sutter has put the responsibility for the Devils’ recent struggles on his shoulders. Kevin Weekes will get the start tonight against the Bolts.
- The short-handed Islanders just could not handle the desperate Canadiens on Thursday. Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo could both be out for the season with groin strains.
- The team’s play in the third period is what cost the Rangers the game, says Scott Gomez. The Rangers find themselves in must-win territory from here on out.
- Chris Neil wants to remain a Senator, but the two sides have yet to negotiate an extension since the trade deadline passed, writes Bruce Garrioch. Meanwhile, the Senators lost to Boston on Thursday.
- Flyers GM Paul Holmgren let the team know how he feels about their recent play. Holmgren’s primary targets were Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.
- Al Montoya continues to be the story out of Phoenix, as he has let in only goal in the two games he has started, writes Jim Gintonio.
- Dave Molinari gives Hal Gill some credit for his sound play. (Writer’s note: Illegal Curve reader Bob Roberts actually called this last week.) The Penguins sure do have an incredible record since Dan Bylsma took over behind the bench. The Penguins have been demonstrating great chemistry as of late, writes Mike Prisuta.
- The Sharks started strong and held off a desperate Oilers team at the end to record a 2-1 road victory. Meantime, Ryane Clowe and Torrey Mitchell are not yet ready to return to the lineup.
- It was the David Backes show in Detroit yesterday, as the young power forward tallied four goals and led the Blues to a massive victory over the Red Wings. Bernie Miklasz thinks it was the team’s biggest win of the season.
- Vincent Lecavalier is out for the season because of a wrist injury, but give the Lightning captain credit, as he never complained about the injury to coach Rick Tocchet.
- With nothing to lose, the Leafs are planning on playing Christian Hanson on the top line. Even though they are out of playoff contention, the Leafs continue to work hard as the season comes to a close.
- The Canucks clinched a playoff spot even though they lost a bizarre game to the Ducks in a shootout. Ryan Kesler was not happy with his team’s play.
- Mike Green has become the NHL’s most dominant offensive defenseman.