Here are the morning papers for Monday the 9th of February:
- Corey Perry has been on fire since he returned from suspension a few weeks ago.
- Ilya Kovalchuk scored a goal, tallied an assist and had a new baby boy on Sunday, but the Thrashers still lost to the Flyers. It seems Kovalchuk believes he will be still be in Atlanta next season.
- You can’t argue with Joe Thornton’s success since being traded from Boston. The Bruins are hoping to extend their lead for home-ice advantage when they face-off against the Sharks tomorrow. Tomorrow night’s game could be the biggest regular season game in Boston in years.
- Now that the Flames feel like they are back on track defensively, the team needs to ramp up its offensive play, writes Randy Sportak. Adam Pardy says he has to learn from his mistake on Saturday. Predictions for tonight’s Habs/Flames tilt from the Calgary Herald writers.
- Dustin Byfuglien is working hard and hitting bodies but he just can’t get his scoring game going, writes Chris Kuc.
- It appears the Avalanche lucked out as it looks like Milan Hejduk only has a bruised jaw. “When we don’t play our systems, we’re a very average team,” says Avalanche defenseman Scott Hannan. Meanwhile, youngster Chris Stewart has proven himself since his recall from the AHL.
- Dan LaCosta didn’t want too many of his friends and family to know he was starting on Saturday against San Jose in case he got lit up, but he clearly should have called everyone, as the Jackets beat the Western Conference leading Sharks.
- Somehow, Marty Turco was not tired on Sunday as the Stars defeated the Predators 4-1. More on the possible Sean Avery move to the AHL.
- It was the former Penguins that did in Pittsburgh for Detroit on Sunday, writes Helene St. James. Marian Hossa did a great job of ignoring the boos yesterday.
- The Oilers haven’t won in Minnesota in what seems like forever. Dustin Penner did a great job in the face-off circle on Sunday. After a tough road trip the Oilers don’t want to get too down on themselves. The team misses Horcoff more than some fans think.
- The Panthers are leading the NHL in goals scored by defensemen, writes George Richards.
- Niklas Backstrom remained perfect in the shootout this season and Mikko Koivu scored the winner, as the Wild defeated Edmonton 3-2. Mikko Koivu picked a good day to score the shootout winner, as he had a fan club at last night’s tilt. In the AHL, Kurtis Foster played his first game back since breaking his leg last season in San Jose.
- The Habs are struggling but with a six-game road trip on the horizon the team hopes they will start coming together again.
- Dan Ellis had a tough game in between the pipes for the Predators on Sunday evening. Steve Sullivan’s penalty did not help either.
- It is Brendan Shanahan’s first game versus the Rangers tonight since the team decided not to re-sign him.
- Do the Rangers players want Sean Avery back? Larry Brooks does not think putting Sean Avery in Hartford will ultimately benefit the Rangers organization. Many people are starting to write off the Rangers but Tom Renney still has confidence in his group.
- Ottawa winger Ryan Shannon likes knowing the drills at practice. Chris Neil is out of the Sens lineup for at least ten days and he says he hates being hurt.
- Flyers coach John Stevens is not engaging in a goalie controversy conversaton. Goalies aside, the Flyers had a successful four-point weekend.
- Marian Hossa has no regrets over his summer decision, writes Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Petr Sykora called himself out after yesterday afternoon’s game. Meantime, Miroslav Satan is in coach Michel Therrien’s doghouse.
- If you didn’t know, the Blues are only six points out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
- Mike McKenna has become a fan-favorite in Tampa. Joe Henderson has been impressed with the job Rick Tocchet has done as coach of the Lightning.
- Will Brian Burke pick Ron Wilson to coach Team USA in Vancouver 2010? With a few injuries and a waiver loss the Leafs are suddenly thin on the blue line. Apparently Tomas Kaberle and Pavel Kubina would prefer to stay in Toronto.