Maxim Afinogenov

Here are the morning papers for Sunday the 26th of October: It was certainly exciting theater at MSG last night as the game came down to Sidney Crosby against Henrik Lunqvist in the shootout. Claude Lemieux has been talking to a number of NHL teams who have an interest in him should he return to the NHL. The Islanders threw a whopping 60 shots at Cam Ward and still lost 4-3. One of the reasons for the Islanders' struggles is the play of the team's youngsters, writes Greg Logan. The Devils were not happy that a fan in Philadelphia threw a flare on the ice, and coincidentally, or not coincidentally, the overtime game was decided on the next shift after the flare incident. Marian Hossa was the story last night for the Wings as they defeated the Thrashers 5-3. The Senators were outplayed by Toronto on Hockey Night in Canada and their winless streak has now reached four games. Are the Senators interested in Mattias Ohlund? The Oilers won four to start the season and after last night's loss at Vancouver they have lost three in a row, writes Jim Matheson. Here are some news and notes from Matheson. Matheson is working hard; here he writes about Marian Gaborik amongst other things in his must-read weekly article. The Predators broke the Kings' perfect penalty killing unit for two power play goals on Saturday. Nashville allowed the Kings to make the game a lot closer than they should have, writes John Glennon. The Stars are allowing goals at a ridiculous pace and that didn't stop last night, as the team gave up six goals to the Capitals and lost in overtime. Music to Stars fans' ears, Sergei Zubov practiced yesterday. After coming back against the Wild, the Sabres got a taste of their own medicine in Colorado on Saturday, writes John Vogl of the Buffalo News. In other Sabres news, Maxim Afinogenov hasn't minded playing left wing since his switch from the right side. The Thrashers are just playing flawed hockey right now, writes Mike Knobler. The Blues have two injured goalies and that opened the door for 21 year Ben Bishop to start versus Florida last night, and, well, he was perfect until having to leave the game in the third period with his own injury. The Panthers ended their long road trip last night with a .500 record, writes George Richards. The Panthers Cory Murphy has a bum shoulder. The Wild almost blew another two-goal lead on home-ice but got bailed out by the NHL video room in Toronto and came away with a 2-1 victory over the Blue Jackets. Meanwhile, Michael Russo has a feature story on the increased number of AHL coaches getting their shot at the NHL level. The Jackets handled the officials' ruling in a classy manner, although you can tell they were certainly angry about the decision. Ken Hitchcock has moved R.J. Umberger back to left wing. What an ending to the Hurricanes/Islanders game last night, as Cam Ward saved a Doug Weight penalty shot with less than a second remaining. It's five wins in a row now for the Avalanche, as they defeated the "undefeated" Sabres 2-1 in a shootout on Saturday. If you didn't know, the Avalanche can score a lot of goals. The Coyotes were properly warned what the Flames would try and do on Sunday yet they didn't bring their work ethic, according to coach Wayne Gretzky. The Flyers played in the afternoon to avoid the World Series rush and got a beautiful overtime goal from Jeff Carter to defeated the Devils 3-2. Here is more information on the Daniel Briere injury. The Ducks went into the Bell Centre on Saturday, playing on Hockey Night in Canada and handed the Habs a 6-4 loss. Milan Lucic demonstrated why he is a fan favorite in Boston with his four point night versus Atlanta on Saturday. Kevin Paul Dupont compares Steve Stamkos's and Joe Thornton's rookie campaigns. Brian Boucher has started twice this season and both were shutouts, including last night's 3-0 win over the Lightning. Here is Matt Carle's take on his trade from the Bay. Paul Hunter recaps the Leafs' victory over provincial-rival Ottawa. Jason Blake was back in the line-up on Saturday but can't help but be embarassed about being a healthy scratch. The Penguins blew a 2-0 third period lead to the Rangers and eventually lost in the shootout, writes Dave Molinari. In injury news, Hal Gill (hand) skated on Saturday morning. The Lightning continue to be dominated by the rest of the league, falling 3-0 to Dan Boyle and the Sharks last night. Apparently the Bolts aren't concerned about the early season struggles of Steve Stamkos. The Capitals proved why they are just about the most exciting team in the NHL last night, writes Tarik El-Bashir. For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

NHL Morning Papers (Sunday Edition): NHL teams talking to Claude Lemieux, Gaborik situation is a tricky one and Senators interested in Ohlund?

NHL Morning Papers (Sunday Edition)

Regier still thinks highly of Afinogenov

Afinogenov trade talks have yet to take-off

NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition)

NHL Morning Papers: Thoughts on the outdoor game