Here are the morning papers for Wednesday the 4th of February:
- Sammy Pahlsson is expected to be for around two weeks for the Ducks with a viral infection.
- Kari Lehtonen was happy to get some long-awaited revenge at MSG on Tuesday. John Anderson’s job in Atlanta is certainly not in jeopardy.
- They don’t come much smarter than Stephane Yelle on the hockey rink. Patrice Bergeron faces the Flyers for the first time since Randy Jones sent him into the end boards last season.
- After coming back from a West Coast roadtrip, the Sabres sure don’t get any rest.
- After losing to Dallas yesterday, Darryl Sutter let the Flames know he is not satisfied with the team’s poor road play. Everybody on the roster is taking blame for the team’s recent poor play. Give Andre Roy credit for reaching the 500 game plateau.
- The Hurricanes were tied on the road in Vancouver with the power play, but then they allowed a short-handed goal and lost 4-3.
- After defeating the OilersK on Tuesday, the Blackhawks are 3-1 halfway through the team’s current eight-game road swing, writes Chris Kuc. Kris Versteeg doesn’t mind playing center.
- “The truth is, we’ve had this attitude the last two games where we want the game to be easier than it is,” said Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock after his team’s loss to the Blues. David Backes isn’t very happy with Jan Hejda.
- That’s five wins a row now for the Stars, after the team defeated the Flames on Tuesday. With the Stars playing so well, it is not going to be easy for Mark Parrish and Fabian Brunnstrom to get back in the Stars lineup.
- Darren Helm is just excited to be called up to the NHL by the Wings. Tomas Holmstrom has some discomfort in his groin that has him concerned, so he won’t be suiting up tonight.
- The score was generous on Tuesday, as the Oilers were clearly outclassed by the Blackhawks at Rexall Place. Jim Matheson takes readers questions. The Oilers are coming apart, writes Dan Barnes.
- Peter DeBoer is not taking a hands-on approach in trying to convince Jay Bouwmeester to stay in South Florida long-term.
- The Wild start a string of games at home tonight, with the Ducks first on the menu. Even with age, Owen Nolan still plays with a chip on his shoulder.
- The Habs were happy to welcome the struggling Penguins to town, and even happier to send them out of town with another loss, writes Pat Hicker.
- Pekka Rinne continues to prove himself between the pipes for the Predators, as he helped the Predators defeat Phoenix 2-1 on Tuesday. With last night’s win, the Predators are only four points out of a playoff spot.
- For a team that was rolling, the Devils sure got it handed to them by the talented Capitals on Tuesday.
- The Islanders are obviously out of the playoffs race, but it is a testament to the team’s work ethic that the Isles recorded their fourth straight victory last night.
- Adam Graves was the ultimate teammate, as he was rightly honored last night at MSG. Two more former Rangers deserve to have their numbers raised to the rafters. As for the current Rangers, they scored a late goal but lost in a shootout to Atlanta.
- Craig Hartsburg is having a tough time with his firing. The Sens couldn’t crack Jonathan Quick in coach Cory Clouston’s debut, as they fell 1-0 at home to the Kings.
- Flyers winger Simon Gagne is a Claude Julien believer. The Flyers have to get into the middle and in front of the net to disrupt Bruins hockey. The Senators are only four points out of the last place in the NHL.
- The Coyotes have more young talent on the way.
- The Penguins were just the tonic for the Habs’ struggles on Tuesday, writes Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In other news, Evgeni Malkin has been given an “A”.
- The Blues are going to start the 2009/10 season in Sweden versus the Red Wings.
- Mike McKenna debuted for the Lightning on Tuesday, but the team lost to the Isles. For those wondering, Mike Smith’s injury was not caused by a tantrum.
- The most hated man in Toronto last night was Bryan McCabe and all he did was make the fans hate him more. Meanwhile, current Leafs defenseman Mike Van Ryn holds no hard feelings against the Panthers.
- Alex Burrows may have turned the Canucks’ season around last night with a short-handed goal.
- Almost assuredly on the trade block, Michael Nylander was quite impressive in yesterday’s game versus New Jersey for the Capitals.
