NHL Morning Papers: Playoff Teams (Wednesday Edition)

Here are the morning papers for the Western Conference playoff match ups:

Detroit versus Nashville:

• Mike Babcock has demonstrated terrific composure when under pressure, writes Michael Rosenberg. The return of Michigan native David Legwand has caused headaches for the Red Wings, writes Helene St. James. Nashville coach Barry Trotz likes tough hockey and that is why he saw no problems with Niklas Kronwall’s hit on Radek Bonk in Game 3.
• John Glennon of the Tennessean is wondering how the Predators will react in Game 4 after their comeback victory on Monday night. The return of David Legwand has really given the Predators the scoring depth they lacked to end the season.

San Jose versus Calgary:

• You could see the relief on Joe Thornton’s face after he scored arguably the biggest goal of his NHL career last night. Thornton saved the series for the Sharks last night, writes Mark Purdy. To reference Evgeni Nabokov’s post-game comments on Sunday, the boys became men on Tuesday night.
• Calgary only mustered a measly ten shots on net last night, writes George Johnson. The intensity of last night’s game was apparent from the outset, writes Scott Cruickshank. The remaining best-of-three series will be decided by which team’s stars want it most, opines Eric Francis.

Minnesota versus Colorado:

• Don’t count Michael Russo of the Star Tribune among those surprised by the Wild’s letdown game last night. Jacques Lemaire did not hold back from blaming his defensemen for their poor play on Tuesday. Apparently controversial Denver Post columnist Mark Kiszla was forecasting the future for the Wild, writes Patrick Reusse.
• The Avalanche took control of yesterday’s game early on, writes Adrian Dater. Woody Paige was not impressed with the Wild’s pity violence to end Game 4. If the Avalanche want to win this series, they need more from Paul Stastny, opines Terry Frei.

Anaheim versus Dallas:

• With all the pressure squarely on their shoulders, the Ducks came out with a dominating first period in Dallas and went on to a 4-2 victory. You can’t put a price on experience, writes Mark Whicker.
• The Stars came out with a very unimpressive performance in the first two periods last night, writes J.J. Taylor. Marty Turco put the onus on himself for not making some big saves early on. The Stars may have been able to pull off an impressive comeback had they been able to score on a four-minute power play in the third period.

The morning papers for teams that did not make the playoffs are soon to follow…

For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to

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