NHL Morning Papers–Western Conference (Sunday Edition)

Here are the Pacific Division morning papers:

• Wayne Gretzky was happy with his team’s performance yesterday but they were unable to defeat the Ducks as they lost 2-1. Coyotes youngster Enver Lisin is feeling more comfortable in the line up this season, writes Jim Gintonio.
• Teemu Selanne has been tremendous since his return to the NHL and the Finnish Flash demonstrated that last night by scoring both goals in his team’s 2-1 victory.
• The Kings rallied yesterday afternoon and surprised the Stars with a 4-2 road victory.
• The Stars have received a challenge from GM Les Jackson to take responsibility and fight through their recent struggles.
• Sharks forward Torrey Mitchell has reached out to Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster.

Here are the Central Division morning papers:

• St. Louis native Cam Janssen was doing his best to help out the flood victims in Missouri, writes Jeremy Rutherford.
• Dan Ellis wasn’t even supposed to start yesterday against Chicago, but he did, and he was tremendous, writes John Glennon. Even with last night’s performance, Barry Trotz has yet to decide on his starting netminder for Tuesday’s game.
• Pavel Datsyuk was tremendous yesterday as he led the Wings to a 4-2 victory at Columbus. Last night’s win was the Wings’ 50th of the season.
• Ken Hitchcock was unhappy with the intensity level of a number of his players last night, writes Aaron Portzline. Some Jackets did not play with passion, but Rick Nash was not among them.
• The Blackhawks outplayed the Predators on Saturday, but you do not get points for outplaying your opponents, writes Chris Kuc.

Here are the Northwest Division morning papers:

• Saturday afternoon’s chaotic game resulted in the Oilers beating the Avalanche and the Oilers moving within three points of a playoff spot. To make the events of yesterday more exciting, Marc Pouilout scored his first goal of the season.
• The Flames needed a big win on Saturday, and when they need a victory Jarome Iginla always steps up to the plate, writes Steve Macfarlane. Iginla has dominated the Wild throughout his career.
• Wild coach Jacques Lemaire thinks his team is cursed at the Saddledome, writes Michael Russo. Meanwhile, in light of the Kurtis Foster injury, Russo suggests the NHL adopt no-touch icing.
• Even though they lost their last game to Minnesota, the Canucks are not lacking in the confidence department, writes Jason Botchford.
• The Avalanche went 0-3 on their Western Canadian road trip and now sit only two points ahead of ninth place Nashville for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Richard Pollock.

Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com