NHL Playoff Morning Papers (Wednesday Edition): Many people writing off the Blackhawks, Penguins need Kunitz to start scoring and Judge Baum orders mediation

3rd Round Playoff Matchups

Eastern Conference

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) versus Carolina Hurricanes (6)

• Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma was impressed with the Hurricanes’ performance in Game 1.  The Penguins need some offensive production from Chris Kunitz.  One of the keys for Kunitz breaking out of his struggles, is to put more shots on net.  Brooks Orpik comments on his on-ice rivalry with Erik Cole.  The Penguins’ power play is rolling right now.  Who is former Steelers coach Bill Cowher hoping for in Round 3?
• “I do not think it looks good for either player,” said Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford about the playing statuses of both Tuomo Ruutu and Eric Cole for Game 2.  The conspiracy theorists are out in full force for this series.

Western Conference

Detroit Red Wings (2) versus Chicago Blackhawks (4)

• “You need your goalie to win games for you in the playoffs, and Ozzie did today,” said Henrik Zetterberg about Chris Osgood’s performance last night.  Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press is already prononcing this series over.  Mitch Albom thinks the Hawks missed their best chance to make a dent in this series.  It is amazing the Wings are playing this well, even without goals from the team’s big-time scorers.  “We need two days in between games so bad, it’s not even funny, just to re-energize,” said Wings coach Mike Babcock after Game 2.
• “It was a brutal loss today,” said Chicago coach Joel Quenneville after yesterday’s heartbreaker.  Brian Campbell says that he’d make the same play at the blue line again, even though his turnover led to the Wings’ winning goal.  Campbell should have known better, writes Barry Rozner.  Rick Morrissey thinks the Hawks are probably done.

Teams that are not in the playoffs:

• Here are the top 10 highlights from the Ducks’ season.
• It appears Phil Kessel could find himself on his way out of Boston this off-season.  Speaking of Kessel, both he and David Krejci are set to undergo off-season surgery that will most likely see them miss the beginning of next season.  Meanwhile, Bruins rookie Blake Wheeler already wants to get back on the ice and prove his worth.
• Mark Kiszla of the Denver Post says that if Patrick Roy is smart, he won’t take the Avalanche coaching job.  Find out what Patrick Roy’s mom thinks of the situation.
• Daniel Briere’s eye surgery was deemed a success.

The Coyotes situation:

• Craig Harris of the Arizona Republic updates readers on what happened during yesterday’s court hearing.
• The City of Glendale is now getting involved in this mess.
• Both sides can find reasons to be optimistic after yesterday’s results, writes Kevin McGran.
• Jim Balsillie’s lawyer took yesterday’s hearing to be a plus for his side.
• Damien Cox explains to readers what judge Redfield Baum was like yesterday.
• Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch finds himself rooting for the Coyotes to move north.
• Regardless of the outcome, this is a zero-sum game for both sides, writes Bruce Dowbiggen.
• Don’t expect a successful appeal of Judge Baum’s final ruling.
• While the case continues in the desert, Winnipeg politicians chime in on the possibility that a NHL team may one day return to Winnipeg.  (Writer’s note: Somebody tell Hugh McFadyen that teams plays 41 home games not 80.)

The AHL Playoffs:

• For whatever reason, Jason Krog always finds himself playing for a league championship at the end of most seasons.  Kirk Penton of the Winnipeg Sun says the Moose can play better.

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