Here are the morning papers for Thursday the 26th of March:
- The players that Anaheim acquired at the deadline sure helped out last night, as the Ducks thrashed the Avalanche 7-2 in Denver.
- Atlanta may be mathematically eliminated but individual players on the team still have lots to play for.
- Claude Julien is doing his best to keep his Bruins players sharp with their extended break this week. Meanwhile, Manny Fernandez says he is going evaluate all of his options this summer, including retirement.
- The Sabres finally gave their fans something to cheer about, as they came back in the third period to defeat the playoff-rival Panthers. Mikael Tellqvist picked up his first win as a Sabre.
- Special teams was the difference last night, as the Flames lost 2-0 to the Penguins at Mellon Arena. Predictions for tonight’s game against the Blue Jackets.
- The Hurricanes fans gave the players extra energy to help Carolina defeat red-hot Ottawa 2-1 at the RBC Center on Wednesday.
- The Blackhawks picked up an important win over the powerful Sharks on Wednesday, giving the team a two-point cushion over Vancouver for fourth spot in the Western Conference. So far, Sami Pahlsson has really enjoyed his time with the Blackhawks that he will certainly consider re-upping in the Windy City.
- Adrian Dater says it is time for Avalanche to rebuild. After hinting he may retire after next season, Milan Hejduk now says he wants to play hockey past next season. Paul Stastny is out for the season with a broken foot.
- It looks like Jason Williams has been promoted to the number one line in Columbus. Imagine if the Blue Jackets had a serviceable power play. The Flames and Jackets faceoff tonight in what could be a first round playoff preview.
- For whatever reason, it just has not been Marty Turco’s season, writes Mike Heika. Meantime, Tom Hicks is looking for investors for the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars but won’t give up majority control.
- Jonathan Ericsson is loving life in the NHL, writes Helene St. James. Look for all sides of the Wings, Hossa, Franzen talks to put off negotiations until after the season if an agreement isn’t reached soon.
- The playoffs start right now for the Oiles, writes Robert Tychkowski. The Oilers don’t plan on resting Dwayne Roloson until they make the playoffs. As the team rides Roloson, Jeff Deslauriers is doing his best to stay ready.
- Florida blew a two-goal lead in the third period yesterday at Buffalo, in what could be the difference between making and missing the playoffs. “Their goalie was better than ours and that’s the bottom line,” said coach Peter DeBoer. The Panthers need Rostislav Olesz to get his game going.
- Kurt Streeter of the L.A. Times talks how difficult it is to be a goaltender in the NHL.
- The Wild dominated the Islanders in a must-win game last night, thanks in large part to a four-point performance from team sniper Marian Gaborik. Cal Clutterbuck apparently owns the NHL record for hits in a season. The Wild really misses Mikko Koivu.
- The Habs need Alex Tanguay to play like the player he’s capable of being, writes Pat Hickey.
- It is possible Nashville’s game tonight against San Jose will be a playoff preview. It looks like the Predators will be without both Jason Arnott and David Legwand for today’s game.
- Patrik Elias says his leg injury isn’t serious and he expects to play Friday versus Chicago.
- The Islanders got a little carried away with physical play and trash-talking yesterday night against Minnesota.
- The Rangers have played very well under John Tortorella, but one area they could improve in would be the power play. New York certainly doesn’t have an easy schedule to end the season.
- The Senators’ longshot dreams at the playoffs were ended yesterday night in Carolina, as the Hurricanes upended the Sens 2-1. Ottawa has to win out now and still get some help.
- Sure Scott Hartnell is a crazy character, but he’s also a heck of a hockey player, explains Sam Carchidi.
- The people of Glendale prefer not to support the Coyotes financially thruugh the team’s current struggles. On the ice, Al Montoya has been waiting a long time for his NHL dream to come true.
- “That was a picture-perfect game,” said Penguins forward Jordan Staal after yesterday’s 2-0 home win over the Flames. The Penguins still plan on getting Phillipe Boucher into the lineup before the end of the season. Jarome Iginla says the talk about Malkin for MVP is well-deserved.
- Travis Moen got to meet with former Ducks teammate Sami Pahlsson on Wednesday.
- The Blues have banded together as a group of underdogs and that’s why they believe they are still in the playoff hunt.
- Vincent Lecavalier is on pace for his worst points season since 2001-02. Another Bolt who has had his fair share of struggles has gotten it together, and that is Steven Stamkos.
- Martin Gerber’s meltdown has cost the Toronto Marlies of the AHL their top goalie for three games. The Leafs know that making the playoffs is not a realistic expectation, but they’ll try for it nonetheless.
- In an interesting article, Iain MacIntyre has more on the reaction to Ryan Kesler’s comments.