NHL Morning Papers (Monday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• Leafs fans have had few things to cheer about this season, but one of the lone bright spots has been the play of Vesa Toskala, writes Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail.
• Recently fired Senators coach John Paddock says he would have done a few things differently, writes Alan Panzeri.
• Kevin Allen of USA Today commends Bob Gainey for his “best guess.”

Here are the Eastern Conference Morning Papers:

• Pascal Dupuis was excited to be traded to a contender like Pittsburgh, but he had mixed feelings about the trade because his wife is due any day now with their third child. The Thrashers made it seven losses in a row yesterday with a 3-2 shootout loss at Pittsburgh.
• Zdeno Chara has quietly been tremendous this season and should be considered for the Norris Trophy, writes Fluto Shinwaza. In other Bruins news, the team has been very pleased with the production of their second line.
• Buffalo only played 22 minutes of solid hockey last night, and that was surely not enough to defeat the Red Wings. The Sabres weren’t able to defeat their former netminder Dominik Hasek last night, writes Mike Harrington.
• The Rangers recorded a 5-4 shootout victory over the Flyers on Sunday afternoon, thanks in large part to the goaltending of Stephen Valiquette who came in to replace Henrik Lundqvist after he played a poor first period. “That was just a track meet,” said Rangers coach Tom Renney after yesterday’s exciting contest.
• Flyers youngster Jeff Carter has been terrific as of late, writes Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I think it’s a trying time for everybody, and Jeff’s name had been thrown into the [trade rumor] hat. He should be flattered [that] every team that considers a deal with us wants him,” said Flyers coach John Stevens about Carter.
• Kris Letang hasn’t recorded a point in eleven games, but he contributed with a big shootout winner yesterday in the Pens win over the Thrashers.
• If the Capitals have any chance of making the playoffs, the team needs to become more consistent, writes Tarik El-Bashir.
• Paul Hunter of the Toronto Star wonders if the Leafs can actually make the playoffs. Meanwhile, Garth Woolsey tells readers that Vesa Toskala hasn’t been overplayed as compared to his fellow NHL netminders.
• With a possible ownership change on the horizon, the Lightning organization could be undergoing more changes soon.
• The Senators are playing the Ducks tonight in a rematch of last season’s Stanley Cup Finals.
• The Islanders had an impressive 53 shots on goal yesterday versus Florida, but were stifled by the play of Craig Anderson and lost 1-0 to the Panthers. Sunday’s game was overshadowed by the Islanders’ Stanley Cup reunion that took place at center ice.
• The Devils really miss Paul Martin on their back-end, and are hoping to get him back in the lineup later this wee.
• Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette takes a closer look at the Habs’ newest number one goaltender Carey Price.
• The Panthers have Craig Anderson to thank for the two points they earned on Long Island yesterday, writes Steve Gorten.

Here are the Western Conference Morning papers:

• The Ducks want to make sure they match the intensity of the Senators tonight, as they know Ottawa will be seeking revenge for the last year’s Cup Finals.
• The Blue Jackets fell 4-3 to the Oilers in a shootout last night, and the team thinks shootouts may be the reason that the Jackets don’t make the playoffs. Ken Hitchcock always enjoys coaching back in Western Canada, writes Tom Reed.
• The Stars don’t have many games in the next month, so they have to make sure they maintain their focus, writes Mike Heika.
• The Red Wings ended their four-game winless streak yesterday on the back of Dominik Hasek’s first victory in Buffalo since he left town in 2001. Before Sunday’s game, Ryan Miller addressed all the rumors that he would eventually return to his home state of Michigan to play net for the Wings.
• The Kings lost 2-1 in overtime last night to the Wild on home ice.
• The Wild continued their streak of winning games by one goal last night with a big overtime victory at L.A., writes Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune. When everyone is healthy, Wild coach Jacques Lemaire has decided to go with a three center rotation.
• The Predators definitely gained some confidence from their road victory at Dallas on Saturday, writes John Glennon.
• The Sharks are excited about the home debut of Brian Campbell, writes David Pollak.
• The Blues traded away two veteran defensemen at the deadline, and have made it clear to their youngsters that the defensive tryouts have already begun.
• The Hawks did their best impression of the Cubs last night in their 4-1 victory over the Canucks.
• According to Adrian Dater of the Denver Post, Ryan Smyth and Marek Svatos won’t be returning to the lineup anytime soon.
• The Oilers won yet another shootout last night, with a 4-3 victory over the visiting Blue Jackets.
• The Canucks put forth one of their worst efforts of the season last night, writes Gordon McIntyre of the Vancouver Province.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.

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