Scott Gomez

Here are the national morning papers: The goalie troubles have returned for the Ottawa Senators, writes Roy MacGregor of the Globe & Mail. Mark Spector of the National Post tells readers that the Oilers finally have a new identity. Bruce Arthur of the National Post has an article about the Leafs' quirky netminder Vesa Toskala. Kevin Allen of USA Today has a very interesting article concerning the changing landscape of salary distribution in the NHL. Here are the Southeast Division morning papers: The Hurricanes can basically wrap up the division title tonight with a victory over Washington, writes Luke Decock. Even though it has been a difficult season in Atlanta, Slava Kozlov does not regret re-upping with the Thrashers last summer. Cristobal Huet is expected to get the start in net tonight for the Capitals when they face-off against the Hurricanes. Erik Erlendsson of the Tampa Tribune provides some defensemen's perspectives on what it is like to get smashed into the glass while the other team is forechecking. The Panthers will get Jozef Stumpel back in the line up tonight when they face the Lightning. Florida has to make sure they do not fall to a Tampa team that has nothing to lose. Here are the Northeast Division morning papers: With a home-and-home coming up, Steve Bernier is going to get a crash course on the Sabres' dislike for the Ottawa Senators. With Nathan Paetsch returning to the Sabres line up tonight, the team is hoping to get Dmitri Kalinin and Jaroslav Spacek back in the next few games as well. The Bruins will be without Marc Savard for the next two games due to a back injury, writes Fluto Shinwaza. Tonight's game versus Toronto constitutes desperate times, opines Kevin Paul Dupont. Now that they have clinched a playoff spot, the Habs can shift their focus on winning both the division and conference, writes Pat Hickey. After watching last night's 7-5 Habs victory over the Senators, Hickey has many questions about the Senators' goaltending. After last night's loss to the Habs, Chris Stevenson of the Ottawa Sun says the Senators are no longer guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. Apparently Eugene Melnyk has more problems than just the Senators' struggles, writes James Bagnall. While it might have been seen as a cop out from the outside looking in, the Leafs' locker room had a very different perspective of the players who opted to not waive their no-trade clauses and get out of town. Do not expect either Mats Sundin or Nik Antropov to be in the line up tonight. Here are the Atlantic Division morning papers: One of the reasons for the Flyers' recent turnaround has been their improved penalty kill, writes Tim Panaccio. Martin Biron gets the start in between the pipes tonight. "I'm speechless about their effort, and I'm speechless about their concentration and their will to win this game," said Penguins coach Michel Therrien after his team's awful 4-1 loss at Long Island. Sidney Crosby will sit out tonight's game versus the Devils. The Rangers will be without Scott Gomez tonight and coach Tom Renney says his team will rely more on scoring by committee. With Gomez out, Petr Prucha is really looking forward to his return to the line up. The Islanders did a good job of playing spoiler last night, writes Greg Logan of Newsday. The Devils are expected to get Patrik Elias back in the line up tonight as he has been out with a knee injury and the flu. The Western Conference morning papers will be posted soon... For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock. Email any thoughts, ideas or suggestions to illegalcurve@gmail.com

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