Mark Spector

Here are the national morning papers: Downsizing goaltending equipment is once again a topic of concern at the GM meetings in Florida, writes Mark Spector of the National Post. Damien Cox of the Toronto Star says the NHL has declared war on goalie equipment. Kevin Allen of USA Today provides readers with trade facts with less than a week to go before the trading deadline. Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers: Bobby Holik is not bothered by the trade rumors in Atlanta, writes Craig Custance. The Bruins blew a two-goal lead with less than two minutes remaining in the third period to Carolina, but came back to win 3-2 in a shootout, writes Fluto Shinwaza. Bruins defenseman Aaron Ward is hoping he doesn't get traded before Tuesday. Derek Roy will suit up tonight for the Sabres versus the Lightning. Apparently defenseman Brian Campbell is not close to signing a contract extension. The Hurricanes came back to earn one point, and extended their Southeast Division lead to three points in their 3-2 shootout loss to the Bruins. The Panthers blew a two-goal lead for the second straight game and lost 3-2 at Pittsburgh last night, writes Steve Gorten. There are comebacks, then there are COMEBACKS, and last night the Habs pulled off their greatest regular season comeback in team history by defeating the Rangers 6-5. Last night marked the twelfth straight game that Jaromir Jagr hasn't scored. "I think they took on some responsibility themselves," said coach Brent Sutter about the Devils recent winning surge. As a reward, coach Sutter gave the Devils a mini-break. Larry Brooks shows no mercy in his critique of the Rangers' blowing a five-goal lead. Last night's loss was the Rangers worst blown lead in team history. Andy Sutton will be out of the Islanders line-up for 4-6 weeks with a hamstring problem. John Paddock's hunch to play Ray Emery last night paid off as the Senators defeated the Flyers 3-2. Meanwhile, Senators winger Antoine Vermette says the trade rumors have bothered him a bit. Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the details behind the Jaroslav Modry trade. On the ice, the Flyers continued their struggles by losing their eighth game in a row. The Penguins pulled off a 3-2 victory last night, after being down 2-0 to the Panthers entering the third period. Both the Penguins and Panthers have been faced with a fair amount of injuries this season. Lightning defenseman Brad Lukowich has undergone surgery for a sports hernia. The Leafs defeated the Blue Jackets 3-1 last night but it didn't come without a cost, writes Paul Hunter. I'm running late today, so I won't be able to post the Western Conference papers. The usual format will return tomorrow. For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock. Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

NHL Morning Papers (Wednesday Edition)