Thursday Morning NHL Papers (Eastern Conference): John Tortorella calls for changes, David Booth skates with teammates and Alex Tanguay not happy about being a healthy scratch

Last night’s IllegalCurve.com Radio Show should be available to listen to/download later this afternoon.

Atlantic Division

• The Devils weren’t very good last night but they found a way to win anyhow, explains Mark Everson.  Another day, another milestone for Martin Brodeur.
• After being dominated by Florida, the Islanders came back and worked hard to earn a 2-1 win at MSG last night, writes Katie Strang.
• After last night’s game, Arthur Staple of Newsday says it is time for the Rangers’ brass to make a move.  “There has to be something done, and we’ll see along the way here, before tomorrow night’s game, we’ll see where we go with it,” said John Tortorella after last night’s game.  Does John Tortorella talk tough but coach easy?
• It looks like both Paul Holmgren and Peter Laviolette don’t want to see a move in Philadelphia just yet.  In good news, Blair Betts returns to the Flyers’ lineup tonight in a move that should certainly help the team’s penalty kill.
• The Penguins’ young core actually enjoys playing in Philadelphia, although it was a bit of a shock early in their careers.  Bill Guerin will likely play tonight in Philadelphia.  One thing is for sure, the Penguins won’t let the Flyers push them around.

Northeast Division

• As David linked yesterday in On the Beat, the Bruins have lost Mark Stuart for 4-6 weeks with a broken sternum.  The Fenway Park ice rink is not being used by just NHL players.  Milan Lucic hopes to be skating by next week.
• Lindy Ruff knew the Sabres didn’t have much of a chance last night, as he got a call about seven of his players having food poisoning the night before the game.  The Sabres are hoping prospect Luke Adam comes back from the WJC with the same experience as Tyler Myers.
• Martin Brodeur didn’t break the shutout record against Montreal but he got the victory in a very boring 2-1 contest.  Habs prospect Louis Leblanc was one of the final cuts for the Canadian world junior team.
• The Senators played their first game since Jason Spezza’s injury and played a tremendous defensive game, writes Don Brennan.  Bryan Murray says he cannot bring a player to replace Spezza unless someone takes a contract off his hands.
• Damien Cox says the NHL has told the Leafs they do not have veto power.  Paul Hunter says that the Leafs made good fans last night, as they were standing around watching the Coyotes skate around them.  “In hindsight, I wished we had practiced on Tuesday,” said coach Ron Wilson post-game.

Southeast Division

• The Thrashers lost in overtime at Florida last night. (Associated Press piece)
• Ray Whitney made the game more interesting than the Hurricanes players would have liked but they ended up getting the win over Dallas.  The Hurricanes may open next season in Finland.
• The Panthers sure made it interesting last night, as they blew a three-goal lead but scored late to beat division-rival Atlanta.  David Booth was on the ice with teammates for the first time since being hit by Mike Richards on October 24th.
• It appears Vincent Lecavalier’s confidence is growing as he posts more points on the board.  “But I feel that I shouldn’t be the only one that has to sit out for the record we have, and the only one who has to pay the price,” said Alex Tanguay about made a healthy scratch by coach Rick Tocchet.
• Karl Alzner was happy to be called up to NHL, but especially because he gets to play in his home province this week.

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