Noon Papers

Eastern Conference newspapers.

– Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star compares the offensive duo of Mats Sundin/Nik Antropov to Doug Gilmour and Dave Andreychuk. (Hey, Antropov has 15 goals but let’s not start comparing him to Dave Andreychuk. I’m assuming Sundin is Gilmour?)
– Allen Panzeri of the Ottawa Citizen previews tonight’s game between the Ottawa Senators and the Carolina Hurricanes. “Sugar” Ray Emery will start in goal tonight as the Sens look to best a team that embarassed them back in October.
– The Devils are winless in two games, after going on a nine-game winning streak. The team faces Boston tomorrow night, and will play three games in four days. Rich Chere of the Newark Star-Ledger asks Defenseman Mike Mottau if they are hitting the panic button. ( What do you think Rich?)
– Bill Tiller of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes on the importance of the Thrashers continuing their winning ways and getting back to the playoffs this year as the city has been starved for a winner since the days of the Atlanta Braves in the 1990’s.
– Giveaways are a huge problem for the struggling Habs writes Red Fisher of the Montreal Gazette.
– Damian Cristodero of the St.Petersburg Times discusses the latest news regarding the sale and ownership situation surrounding the Tampa Bay Lightning.
– Former Manitoba Moose goaltender Alex Auld will make his third straight start tonight for the Boston Bruins, as reported by Fluto Shinzawa of the Boston Globe.

For Illegal Curve, I’m Ezra Ginsburg.