Here are the morning papers for the second round playoff teams:
Eastern Conference:
Montreal (1) versus Philadelphia (6):
- The war of words between John Stevens and Guy Carbonneau is heating up following Tom Kostopoulos‘ “glove to the face” of Kimmo Timonen last game, writes Herb Zurkowski. Dave Stubbs of the Montreal Gazette is convinced that playing at the Wachovia Centre will be nowhere near as friendly for Habs fans as TD Banknorth Garden was last series. Jack Todd reminds us that Carey Price is only 20 years old.
- R.J. Umberger has saved his best hockey for the playoffs, according to Phil Pamilo of the Philadelphia Inquirer. On the injury front, Mike Knuble’s return will either be game four or game five.
Pittsburgh (2) versus New York Rangers (5):
- Ron Cook of the Post-Gazette states that Marc-Andre Fleury has been the Penguins’ best player so far this post-season. With the series switching to New York, the Penguins are not sure why they were 0-4-0 at Madison Square Garden this year.
- Larry Brooks of the New York Post singles out players that were not particularly sharp in yesterday’s 2-0 defeat. The Rangers have been the victims of questionable third-period officiating according to John Dellapina of the New York Daily News.
Western Conference:
Detroit (1) versus Colorado (6):
- Having blown 2-0 series leads before, Helene St. James of the Detroit Free Press wonders if the Red Wings have learned from past slip-ups. 11 years after the horrbile limousine crash involving Vladimir Konstantinov, a federal court will hear the lawsuit today between Konstantinov and an Ohio Car Dealership.
- Adrian Dater of the Denver Post writes that the Avalanche will need to put forth a balance of passive and aggressive play in order to defeat the Red Wings. Meanwhile, Joel Quenneville is hopeful that Peter Forsberg and Scott Hannan will be back in the line-up for game 3.
San Jose (2) versus Dallas (5):
- Mark Purdy of the San Jose Mercury News wonders if the Sharks’ 4 minute spell to start the third period was the worst in franchise history. It will take a combination of positivity and desperation for the Sharks to turn the series around according to head coach Ron Wilson.
- The Stars acquired Brad Richards for his ability to make big plays at important times, and he did not disappoint last night, writes Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News. Tim Cowlishaw notes the difference Sergei Zubov has made so far in this series.
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