NHL Morning Papers (Wednesday Edition): Beauchemin close to returning for Ducks, Luongo spectacular and Pierre Lacroix to return to GM seat in Colorado?

Here are the morning papers for Wednesday the 8th of April:

• Francois Beauchemin may return for one of the Ducks’ last two regular season games.  Is it time to give Jonas Hiller a nickname?
• “There was no emotions, no good crowd, and it was hard to play hockey here,” said Alexander Ovechkin about playing in Atlanta yesterday.
• The Bruins did not bring much intensity to the table in Ottawa last night.  Patrice Bergeron is just happy to be involved this season as compared to last.  On a positive note, Phil Kessel returned to the Bruins lineup and popped a goal.
• With the season almost done, the Sabres still lack an identity, writes Bucky Gleason.  Tim Connolly and Clarke MacArthur are expected to miss tonight’s game.
• You wouldn’t think the Flames played well by looking at the score from yesterday’s game in Vancouver, but a guy named Luongo was the reason Calgary lost.
• So much for a letdown, the Hurricanes dominated the Islanders 9-0 yesterday night.  Carolina had a whopping 57 shots on net.
• The Blackhawks beat a desperate team on Tuesday, making it four wins in a row and making home-ice advantage for the first round a likely possibility.
• Tony Granato is not quitting the Avalanche at season’s end.  Is Pierre Lacroix considering a return to the GM seat in Denver?  Colorado lost again yesterday.
• Tom Reed with a nice article about Jason Chimera and his experiences allowing him to put the game into perspective.  Jakub Voracek on the number one line tonight.
• The Stars lost again, no surprise, but young netminder Matt Climie was impressive, writes Mike Heika.
• The Red Wings are going to allow their fans to pay for season tickets over time with no interest.  Chris Osgood is getting ready for the playoffs to begin.  Ed Olczyk likes the Wings in this year’s playoffs.
• Edmonton has been eliminated from the playoffs for the third straight season.  Terry Jones says the Oilers’ performance last night is really what fans should have come to expect.  The two goals allowed early in yesterday’s game weren’t pretty.
• After losing to the Flyers, the Panthers are going to need to win and get help to make the playoffs, writes George Richards.  The Cats no longer control their own destiny, writes Steve Gorten.
• The Wild’s inability to put together any sembelance of a winning streak has been its downfall this season.  Head injuries are killing Minnesota right now, as Nick Schultz has joined Brent Burns and Pierre-Marc Bouchard on the sidelines.  At least Marian Gaborik looks like his old self.
• A Habs museum is coming to the Bell Centre.  Who is going to buy the Habs?
• “In the end, that might be the worst 38 seconds of the year,” said Barry Trotz about the stretch that may cost the Predators a playoff spot.  After last night’s loss and the Blues’ win, the Predators now have a less than 25% chance of making the playoffs.
• New Jersey was embarassed by the Maple Leafs at home last night.
• The Islanders were blown out in Carolina and lost Blake Comeau to a fractured wrist in the process.
• With last night’s big win over Montreal, the Rangers are a win away from qualifying for the playoffs.  The Blueshirts want to win their way in, not hope for Florida to lose.
• Did you know last night’s win over the Bruins was the Senators’ ninth consecutive home victory?
• Rookie Claude Giroux is jacked up to play in the playoffs for the first time.  Yes, Jeff Carter really is that good.  Carter proved it on Tuesday, as he helped the Flyers clinch a playoff spot.
• Ilya Bryzgalov was not sharp for Phoenix yesterday and was pulled during the second intermission.
• Petr Sykora recroded his 300th career goal and the Penguins held off the Bolts’ comeback from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the lowly Lightning 6-4.  Ryan Malone is heading to the World Championships for the States.  Playoff tickets are sold out for the Mellon Arena.
• San Jose defeated Colorado but it sure was not pretty, writes David Pollak.
• The Blues are back in a playoff spot with Tuesday’s win over Phoenix.  St. Louis really does have a ton of confidence right now.
• Rick Tocchet thinks the Bolts are close to turning things around for next season.  Apparently he may have some help, as Brian Lawton promises to be active in free agency.
• Martin Gerber was better than Martin Brodeur, as the Leafs upset the Devils in Newark.  Chris Hanson scored his first NHL goal.  Meanwhile, Damien Cox thinks Mike Babcock should be the man to lead Canada in 2010.  Speaking of the Olympics, Ron Wilson is happy Zach Parise is on his side.
• Roberto Luongo made an astounding 48 saves against the high-flying Flames to allow the Canucks to take the Northwest Division lead.
• It looks like the Capitals are going to secure the number two seed in the Eastern Conference.

**Remember that the IllegalCurve.com Radio Show is live tonight from 8pm CST-9pm CST.  Tonight’s guests are Dan Wood of the Orange County Register and Eric Duhatschek of the Globe & Mail**