Here are the morning papers for Wednesday the 1st of April:
- Good thing Teemu Selanne’s stick was legal, as the Ducks recorded a huge victory in Edmonton last night. “We played a much better game as far as getting inside and having net presence,” said coach Randy Carlyle about the difference between last night’s game and the way the Ducks played last week at home against the Oilers.
- There is a reason Slava Kozlov is productive at age 36, he is a hard worker. Kari Lehtonen (upper body injury) may not be ready to play tonight versus Buffalo.
- The Bruins brought a playoff-type intensity to the game yesterday versus Tampa Bay, and boy did they look good. Zdeno Chara recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick. The Bruins’ Patrice Bergeron has been nominated for the Masterton Trophy.
- After being hit from behind by Maxim Lapierre, Patrick Kaleta says he feels good and is ready to return. Buffalo has seven games to go to make a run for the playoffs.
- Mike Keenan intends on keeping Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen playing together. The playing status of Cory Sarich and Jim Vandermeer for tonight’s game in Dallas is up in the air. Just because the Flames have given up the Northwest Division lead, that does not mean the team won’t be ready for the playoffs, writes Eric Francis.
- With the playoffs around the corner, the Hurricanes are making sure they get the necessary rest.
- Cristobal Huet was jeered upon his return to Montreal, but the Hawks’ biggest problem was their anemic offense, writes Chris Kuc.
- In Colorado, Peter Budaj admits that he just hasn’t done the job this season.
- After two losses to the Blues, the Blue Jackets got back on track yesterday with an important 2-1 victory over Nashville. These Jackets are different than past teams, writes Bob Hunter. Steve Mason won the rookie goaltending battle last night with Pekka Rinne.
- Dallas played like a cohesive unit last night in Los Angeles and kept their very slim playoff chances alive. James Neal has many aspects of his game that need to be improved, but his goal-scoring ability is already quite evident.
- The Red Wings’ goalie situation is still completely up in the air. Did you know Jiri Hudler is the only Red Wing player to play in all 76 games? “The Beard is Back.”
- Last night’s loss to Anaheim probably marked the end of the Oilers’ playoff hopes and the end of Craig MacTavish’s career coaching the Oilers, writes Terry Jones. The team’s best wasn’t good enough, writes Robert Tychkowski. Joanne Ireland provides her game recap here. Dave Staples asks what is next for Edmonton? Whatever is up next, the Oilers’ plan is not working as hoped, explains Eric Duhatschek.
- The Panthers kept pace with the Habs on Tuesday with an important win over the lowly Senators.
- The Kings pretended that it was golf season yesterday and mailed in a poor performance against Dallas, writes Billy Witz.
- The Wild outplayed the Canucks but couldn’t capitalize on the power play and got a little bit unlucky in a 2-1 overtime loss at the Xcel Center. Concussions are keeping Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Brent Burns out of the Wild lineup.
- Carey Price defeated his mentor last night, as the Habs won 4-1 over the Blackhawks. Price was sharp from the outset, writes Sean Gordon of the Globe & Mail. The Habs play four of their last six games on the road.
- “We have been spending more time in our zone because we have not been doing things right in the neutral zone and the offensive zone,” said Devils coach Brent Sutter about his team’s offensive struggles. Rich Chere with five ways to turn the Devils around.
- On the Island, Joey MacDonald and Yann Danis are battling to make a good impression for next season.
- Larry Brooks tells readers four things they may or may not have known about John Tortorella.
- Ottawa was officially eliminated from the playoffs yesterday. What should the Senators look to do this summer?
- The Flyers want to ensure that they secure home-ice advantage for the playoffs. The biggest key for Philadelphia is building for the playoffs, writes Sam Carchidi.
- Al Montoya will become the first Cuban-American to play in the NHL on Wednesday night when he starts in net for Phoenix.
- The Penguins players believe Dan Bylsma deserves to be brought back next season. Pittsburgh’s homestand ends tonight versus the struggling Devils. Pascal Dupuis thinks Marc-Andre Fleury has become “great.”
- The Sharks are pulling in great television ratings in the Bay Area.
- The Blues begin a critical four-game road trip tonight in the Windy City.
- Rick Tocchet wants more from Tampa rookie Steve Stamkos.
- Kevin McGran with more information on the Christian Hanson the player. Tomas Kaberle returns to the Leafs lineup tonight. Toronto has been officially eliminated from the playoffs.
- The Canucks’ best player was their best player on Tuesday, as Roberto Luongo was the reason Vancouver got out of Minnesota with two points. That’s right, the Canucks are now first place in the Northwest Division.
- Brian Pothier is the easy choice for Masterton Trophy nominee from the Capitals.
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