NHL Morning Papers (Sunday Edition)

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• “I’m a buyer for sure,” said Thrashers GM Don Waddell when asked about the upcoming trade deadline. In other Thrashers news, Ilya Kovalchuk may start the NHL All-Star Game after all, writes Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
• Chuck Kobasew was the star in the Bruins’ 4-3 shootout victory over the Rangers yesterday afternoon. Kevin Paul Dupont of the Boston Globe has a very good article on the physicality and grinding nature of a full NHL season.
• The Sabres ended their ten game winless streak on Friday, and then reverted right back to their losing ways on Saturday with a 4-2 loss at Toronto. Thomas Vanek was benched for the third period of last night’s game.
• The Southeast continues to be the weakest division in the NHL, writes Luke Decock of the News Observer.
• The Panthers were defeated 5-3 by the Capitals last night but there was a bright spot, as rookie Shawn Matthias scored twice.
• Crosby or no Crosby, the Penguins shutout the Habs last night in Montreal by a score of 2-0. Although they defeated the Habs without Crosby, his loss is a big blow to the Penguins.
• Colin White can hardly see out of his right eye but he has not let that get in the way of his hockey career, writes Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger. The Devils know they need to score more, but they are content winning games 1-0 and 2-1.
• While the Rangers received one point for their 4-3 shootout loss at Boston yesterday, they will not make the playoffs if they continue to play the way they currently are, opines Larry Brooks of the NY Post. With his #2 due to be retired on Thursday, John Dellapina of the New York Daily News has a must-read article about Brian Leetch and his family.
• Here is Larry Brooks of the NY Post with his weekly Slap Shots column.
• “It was just a total team fall-apart,” said Islanders coach Ted Nolan after his team blew a 3-1 lead at home to the Flyers and ended up losing the game 5-3.
• With Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley on the sidelines, it was difficult to determine who was the best team in the Eastern Conference and who was the worst last night as the Lightning defeated Ottawa 2-0. Apparently John Paddock can be sarcastic, writes Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. Meanwhile, Erin Nicks of the Sun wonders if Senators fans even want Marian Hossa back.
• The Flyers stormed back from a two-goal deficit on the road by riding the Scott Hartnell train, as the power-forward tallied a hat trick in his team`s 5-3 victory over the Islanders.
• Dany Sabourin shut the door last night in Montreal, leading the Penguins to a 2-0 victory and first place in the Atlantic Division. Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette analyzes the fast-appoaching trade deadline from the Pittsburgh perspective.
• The Lightning shutout Ottawa last night, making it two straight shutout road wins, writes Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune.
• In the face of adversity, the Leafs have now won three straight games, after their 4-2 victory over Buffalo last night. Damien Cox of the Toronto Star says the Leafs are playing themselves out of top draft position. Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle doesn’t want to think about all the trade talk.
• The Capitals rode Nicklas Backstrom’s first career four point night to a 5-3 victory over Florida, and a .500 record.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• The Ducks are thoroughly enjoying their current road trip because their dads are along for the ride, writes Dan Wood of the Orange County Register.
• Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun brings to light the fact that the Flames may not be able to re-sign Daymond Langkow this off-season. When it comes to re-signing the team’s free agents this off-season, Jean Lefebvre of the Calgary Herald shares the same concerns as Francis.
• The Hawks defeated the Coyotes 2-1 in a shootout last night, making it four straight victories for the young club.
• Jose Theodore will start his eighth straight game tonight as the Avalanche host Columbus.
• “Those are two points we lost that we should have had,” said Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock after yesterdays 3-1 loss at Dallas. It appears that Duvie Wescott’s time in Columbus has come to an end.
• Mike Smith is one of the top backups in the NHL, and he strutted his stuff yesterday by leading his team to a 3-1 victory over the streaking Blue Jackets.
• The Wings went into San Jose last night and only allowed 18 shots against in defeating the Sharks 6-3. Wings star Henrik Zetterberg is far more popular in Sweden than his is in his NHL hometown, writes Shawn Windsor.
• With both teams coming off blowout losses, it should be a spirited affair this afternoon in Atlanta between the Oilers and Thrashers. Here is Jim Matheson’s weekly Sunday column.
• Wild coach Jacques Lemaire had encouraging words for his team yesterday as they are set to head out on a west coast road trip. Michael Russo of the Star Tribune examines the possibility of the Wild looking into acquiring Marian Hossa.
• The Predators defeated the Blues 5-2 on Saturday and set two franchise records in the process.
• “I liked our effort throughout,” said Coyotes coach Wayne Gretzky after his team’s 2-1 shootout loss at home to the Blackhawks.
• The Sharks continued their struggles against the Red Wings last night with their third loss against them this season.
• The Blues can take very little from their 5-2 loss to the Predators on Saturday.
• The Kings continue to have the Canucks number after defeating them 4-3 at GM Place last night.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.