Here are the morning papers for Tuesday the 7th of April:
- Will Ondrej Pavelec find himself leaving Atlanta this summer?
- It appears that both Shawn Thornton and Phil Kessel will be returning to the Bruins lineup tonight. Boston could be in a cap crunch at season’s end.
- After yesterday’s loss to Detroit, making the playoffs will be virtually impossible for the Sabres, writes John Vogl of the Buffalo News. Meanwhile, Patrick Kaleta has a neck injury.
- For all the panic surrounding Flames fans, the Flames now sit a victory away from a Northwest Division title. They won last night, but the team’s power play really has to improve. Warren Peters returned to Calgary on Monday and got into a scrap with Kings winger Wayne Simmonds. It is must watch television tonight with the Flames versus the Canucks.
- Cam Ward will start his 27th consecutive game in net tonight for the Hurricanes.
- The Blackhawks need to get their power play going heading into the playoffs.
- Avalanche new “top line” center T.J. Galiardi has been quite impressive so far. Terry Frei enlightens American readers about the Sports Action/Proline system in Canada.
- The Columbus Dispatch breaks down every possibility for the Jackets heading into the playoffs. Kristian Huselius has a concussion problem.
- Is tonight Mike Modano’s last game in Minnesota?
- The Wings defeated the desperate Sabres and Chris Osgood tied Dominik Hasek on the all-time wins list. Pavel Datsyuk for MVP? Marian Hossa put another 40 goal season on his resume with two goals yesterday.
- The Oilers are finally getting back to playing loose and relaxed. Patrick O’Sullivan faces the Kings for the first time since being traded from L.A. Craig MacTavish really likes Ales Kotalik’s game. Is Dwayne Roloson the new Johnny Bower? Sam Gagner has sure turned his game around in the second half of the season.
- In Florida, Keith Ballard plays the game the old fashioned way. As of right now, the Panthers don’t have the tiebreaker against NY.
- Andrew Brunette has yet to make a decision on whether he will undergo off-season surgery to repair torn ligaments in his knee. Brent Burns won’t return this season, but his injury isn’t believed to be a problem for him next season.
- Apparently Serge Savard is interested in purchasing the Habs. On the ice, the Habs lost a tough one to Ottawa on Monday. Two major injuries couldn’t have come at a worse time for Montreal.
- The Predators have to ensure they contain the Blackhawks’ top line tonight. The Predators will receive the full amount of revenue sharing.
- Patrik Elias (groin) won’t be in the lineup tonight for New Jersey.
- The Islanders won’t make the playoffs but that doesn’t mean their players won’t be watching the second season.
- John Tortorella is treating his season like it has one game remaining not three. Even with all the contorversy surrounding the team this season, the Rangers do control their own destiny.
- Cory Clouston’s new line in the third period worked out quite well, as the Senators came back and beat the Habs 3-2.
- The Flyers are one point away from making the playoffs. Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux both missed practice on Monday, but both are expected to play tonight. Philadelphia has to improve its first periods.
- Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek was the team’s nominee for the Masterton.
- Sidney Crosby is playing his best hockey at just the right time. The Penguins players would rather have Ryan Malone on their than play against him, as they have to tonight. Do you remember how poorly the Penguins were playing earlier this season?
- The playoffs are coming up and the feeling around the Sharks is changing.
- The Blues desperate and motivated but they have to make sure they keep their emotions in check against Phoenix tonight, writes Jeremy Rutherford.
- Zenon Konopka is trying to make a good impression on Lightning management as the season winds down. Martin St. Louis can’t believe how much has changed in Tampa the past few years.
- Read about possible Leafs acquisition Matt Gilroy here. It is May-day in Buffalo. Luke Schenn wants to play for Canada at the World Championships. Meantime, Ron Wilson isn’t happy with the play of Niklas Hagman and Tomas Kaberle.
- The Canucks can regain first place in the Northwest Division with a win tonight versus the Flames. The father of Taylor Pyatt’s fiancee has spoken out about reckless driving in Jamaica.
- Keith Aucoin has played really well for Washington since being recalled from the AHL.
