NHL Playoff Morning Papers (Sunday Edition): No NBC games next week, Naslund to retire, Kessel will play today and Wang regrets buying Islanders

2nd Round Playoff Matchups

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins (1) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• Aaron Ward knows many teams try to attack his side on the ice instead of going after Zdeno Chara.  Phil Kessel has a slight elbow injury that kept him out of practice on Saturday but he is expected to suit up tonight.  For all those doubting Michael Ryder, the joke is on you.  Boston is doing a great job of being a physical team without crossing the line.  The Bruins want to ensure that the Hurricanes don’t run TIm Thomas.
• Where has the Canes’ secondary production gone?  Even with their struggles, Carolina feels confident going into Game 2.  Here are five things the Hurricanes need to do to win.

Washington Capitals (2) versus Pittsburgh Penguins (4)

• Simeon Varlamov’s amazing save on Sidney Crosby proved to be the difference yesterday afternoon.  Another reason for the Capitals’ success is the team’s successful penalty kill.  Ovechkin got all the hype yesterday, and justifiably so, but the team’s third line was tremendous as well.  This series looks like it will be as good as advertised.
• The Penguins could not get their power play going, especially in the third period, and they fell 3-2 to the Capitals at the Verizon Center.  “If you look at the guys on our power play, we have no reason but to be confident,” said Sidney Crosby.  ,”Dan Bylsma was at least pleased with his team’s fast start.  Chris Kunitz is in a bit of a scoring funk, but he is confident he will get out of it.

Western Conference

Detroit Red Wings (2) versus Anaheim Ducks (8)

• Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press thinks the NHL made the right decision regarding the Mike Brown hit.  Once again, Jonathan Ericsson will lineup alongside Nicklas Lidstrom for today’s game.  For today’s game, the Wings want to increase their speed through the neutral zone.  Tomas Holmstrom’s screens were not anything new for Jonas Hiller.
• Helene Elliot of the L.A. Times says the NHL made the right call in not suspending Mike Brown.  “I think we need to go out and play our game,” said defenseman James Wisniewski.  Anaheim needs to do a better job on draws, writes Dan Wood.  Meanwhile, Mark Whicker of the OC Register wonders if the NHL is over-policing hockey contact.

Vancouver Canucks (3) versus Chicago Blackhawks (4)

• Cam Cole of the Vancouver Sun says the Canucks’ game changed when Sami Salo got injured.  “Obviously, we didn’t have our best game and I’ve got to be better in there,” said Roberto Luongo after last night’s 6-3 loss.  Is Mats Sundin injured?  Some may not realize that yesterday’s loss was Vancouver’s first of the playoffs.
• The Blackhawks kept their feet moving and it paid off in Vancouver.  Dave Bolland’s tremendous playoff play continued yesterday.  The play of Chicago’s phyiscal players may have been the difference on Saturday.  Patrick Kane’s game has really picked up since late in the Calgary series.

Teams that were eliminated from the playoffs:

• Apparently Markus Naslund has told Glen Sather he is going to retire.
• The Flyers look good for the future, but a few changes need to be made, writes Sam Carchidi.

Teams that did not make the playoffs:

• Charles Wang admits that he regrets purchasing the Islanders.

Other Sunday special pieces:

• Inside the NHL courtesy of Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News.
• Larry Brooks doesn’t understand how only one Crosby/Ovechkin showdown is on NBC.
• Kevin Paul Dupont has lots of news from around the NHL.