Craig Weller

Here are the morning papers: The Sabres dominated the special teams battle versus Atlanta on Thursday and defeated the struggling Thrashers 6-0. Sabres' winger Ales Kotalik made his season debut last night after returning from a sprained MCL and ended up scoring on his first shift. Sometimes you can take positives from a loss, but as Craig Custance of the Atlanta Journal Constitution explains, there were no positives to be taken from their loss to Buffalo for the Thrashers. The Bruins need to improve their even strength goal output writes Fluto Shinwaza of the Boston Globe. In addition to their even strength scoring, the Bruins also need to improve on their faceoff percentage which is 27th overall in the NHL. In a bizarre turn of events on Wednesday, Brandon Bochenski dressed for the Bruins' game versus the Ducks yet never saw the ice. In other Bruins' news, Marc Savard is listed as questionable for tonight's game versus the Kings but is expected to suit up. Mike Keenan says there needs to be "a level of desperation" to the Flames' game after their disappointing start to the season. As Luke Decock of the News Observer explains, the Hurricanes made a statement last night in their 5-3 victory over the defending Eastern Conference champions in Ottawa. Chad Larose has been a pleasant surprise for the Canes playing alongside Rod Brind'Amour and Justin Williams. The Senators didn't look like their usual selves last night writes Chris Stevenson of the Ottawa Sun. As Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun tells us, after going on a long second half run of success last season, the Senators realize that it is easier to win games earlier in the season rather than later. Many Senators players came to camp in the best shape of their lives and coach John Paddock believes that has a lot to do with the team's successful start to the season. According to Rick Morrissey of the Chicago Tribune, there are positives that can be taken from Rocky Wirtz's first move as chairman of the Blackhawks. With Stars backup goaltender Mike Smith out with a bruised arm, Marty Turco does not mind taking on the extra work writes Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News. Michael Arace of the Columbus Dispatch attempts to clarify the comments made by Adam Foote to Adrian Dater of the Denver Post about leaving Colorado a few years ago. In other Jackets' news, Ken Hitchcock worked on the team's breakout extensively at training camp and that hard work has paid off to start the season. Speaking of coach Hitchcock, he has been very impressed with the play of defenseman Jan Hejda so far this season. According to Terry Frei of the Denver Post, Jose Theodore will get the start between the pipes tonight for the Avalanche in St. Louis. Dominik Hasek's knee is fine and the veteran goaltender will start tonight versus the Blackhawks. Wings' legend Steve Yzerman says that sustained success of the Notre Dame NCAA hockey program, "could bring a lot of exposure to the sport." Two angry teams will be facing off Edmonton tonight as both the Oilers and Canucks are coming off frustrating losses. Sheldon Souray doesn't want anyone to jump to conclusions regarding the Oilers' early season struggles on the powerplay writes Joanne Ireland in this morning's Edmonton Journal. It is taking newcomer Michal Handzus some time to get comfortable in his new surroundings writes Lisa Dillman of the L.A. Times. The Panthers finally recorded their first win of the season last night over the struggling Devils. Tomas Vokoun served as a calming influence during the Panthers' 0-3 start and proved his worth last night closing the door completely on the Devils' attack. Devils' coach Brent Sutter realizes the season is only four games old and, as such, doesn't want his team to get down on themselves. Sutter actually took a bench minor penalty for arguing a penalty call last night which led to Olli Jokinen's powerplay goal. Meanwhile, soon to be traded Richard Matvichuk believes his exclusion from the Devils' defensive starting roster was pre-determined by coach Sutter prior to training camp. Wendy Sheppard is awfully proud of her son James and is looking forward to travelling with the Wild for the team's mother-son road trip through Phoenix, Los Angeles and Anaheim. As Pat Hickey of the Montreal Gazette explains, even with a goaltending controversy on the horizon, Cristobal Huet and Carey Price still have a great relationship. Jessica Hopp of the Tennesean believes Predators' goaltender Chris Mason may have lost his mojo after he posted his second poor performance in as many days losing 6-3 to Phoenix on Thursday. Meanwhile, Jordin Tootoo is angry that Craig Weller gave him a clothesline when Tootoo was unaware he was there. (Writer's note: Tootoo took a blatant run at Coyotes' forward Daniel Winnik prior to Weller going after him. If Tootoo had connected on his hit on Winnik, the league may have had another Dean McAmmond situation on its hands.) It looks like Dave Scatchard will slide into the 3rd line center role for the Rangers. However, don't expect to see the veteran in the lineup over the weekend. Mats Sundin became the leading scorer in Maple Leafs' history last night in his team's 8-1 victory over the Islanders. Damien Cox of the Toronto Star says the Leafs were almost perfect last night. Islanders' coach Ted Nolan says the team's performance in its 8-1 loss to the Maple Leafs last night was "almost laughable." Canucks' veteran Trevor Linden was impressed with the young pieces that the Flyers have in place writes Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Jesse Boulerice's hearing with the NHL will be held today. (Writer's note: Lets just hope the NHL gives him at least 25 games.) After Fredik Sjostrom's two goal game, it is evident that coach Wayney Gretzky sure motivated the young forward by making him a healthy scratch for the Coyotes' first three games. Even though he only has 2 points in 3 games so far this season, no one associated with the Penguins is concerned about Sidney Crosby writes Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Dispatch provides readers with the St. Louis perspective of the Rob Ramage conviction. Mathieu Darce is grateful for another chance in the NHL and has impressed the Lightning brass while playing on the team's third line alongside Jason Ward and Chris Gratton. Tarik El-Bashir of the Washington Post says that the Jaromir Jagr shadow still lingers around the Capitals even after his departure four years ago. Roberto Luongo is currently wearing a knee brace to support his strained MCL writes Jason Botchford of the Vancouver Province. In other Canucks' news, Ryan Shannon was demoted to Manitoba of the AHL yesterday. For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

NHL Morning Papers (Friday Edition)