Noon Papers

Here are the Western Conference newspapers.

– David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News says the Sharks really needed the 4-1 victory last night over the Minnesota Wild, especially after getting thumped 7-2 by Buffalo, then losing Jonathan Cheechoo and Jeremy Roenick to separate injuries.
– Although Mike Keenan will deny it, Jean LeFebvre of the Calgary Herald says in beating the Florida Panthers 2-1 in a shootout last night, it was extra satisying as Ex-Panther Kristian Huselius got the shootout winner and Keenan got a timely victory over his former club.
– Rob Blake turned 38-years-old on Monday, but Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times says he is still leading the physical play for the Los Angeles Kings.
– Joanne Ireland of the Edmonton Journal talks about last night’s 5-4 shootout victory over the St.Louis Blues and how the defensively-challenged bunch are turning into a run-and-gun machine, especially with the return of power play specialist Sheldon Souray.
– With Roberto Luongo and Brenden Morrison on the sidelines for an indefinitie period of time, Curtis Sanford has been thrust into the spotlight as the ‘Nucks No.1 stopper. The Canucks have recalled Jason Jaffray and Drew McIntyre from the AHL’s Manitoba Moose as injury replacements.
– Tom Reed of the Columbus Post Dispatch previews tonight’s tilt between the Blue Jackets and Avalanche, saying Fredrik Norrena will get the start while Jiri Novotny will make a return to the lineup. Rick Nash skipped an optional practice as he continue to fight lingering injuries.
– The Detroit Free Press blog says Tomas Holmstrom is injured and won’t play tomorrow night versus the Edmonton Oilers. Mark Hartigan has been recalled from Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League.
– Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News explains the Stars will be resting, and restoring physical and mental energy, after a succesful eight games in 13 days stretch.
– Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune wonders when Matt Foy will be sent down to the American Hockey League as Coach Jacques Lemaire and GM Doug Risebrough really want to dress Petteri Nummelin on their upcoming road trip.
– Joe Sakic has missed five straight games and was placed on injured reserve by the Colorado Avalanche today, according to the Rocky Mountain News. He joins teammates Jordan Leopold and Ian Laperriere.