Thursday Morning NHL Papers (Eastern Conference): Slava Kozlov told Maxim Afinogenov to get out of Buffalo, Sergei Gonchar doesn’t want to comment on Alex Ovechkin hit and concern over Jonas Gustavsson

Atlantic Division

• After last night’s loss to Vancouver, the Devils will be going for a bit of a hard skate at practice, says Jacques Lemaire.  The hype surrounding Roberto Luongo facing Martin Brodeur did not really live up to all the talk.
• The Islanders will have some of their biggest fans on their team charter for the next two games.
• The Rangers claimed Erik Cristensen off waivers and then sent Stephen Valiquette to the minors, explains Steve Zipay.  “Johnson gets to practice with us, but I’m not sure where it all sits with him playing,” said Rangers coach John Tortorella about new Rangers backup Chad Johnson.
• Some following the Flyers are surprised that the team has opted to start Brian Boucher tonight in place of Ray Emery.  NHL ice guru Dan Craig has lots of responsibilty when it comes to this season’s outdoor game.
• “It’s not about shooting more; it’s about being more confident, which makes him shoot more,” said Maxime Talbot about Sidney Crosby’s game.  Sergei Gonchar didn’t want to talk about Alexander Ovechkin’s hit on Tim Gleason.  Did you know Bill Guerin does some play-by-play work?

Northeast Division

• Marco Sturm always want to gets shots on net and last night it paid off, as the German winger now leads the Bruins in goal scoring.  Sturm’s linemates, Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi, also played extremely well.  Peter Chiarelli and Marc Savard came to an agreement that allows for more players to be added to the Boston roster because of the lower cap hit than anticipated.  Kevin Paul Dupont looks at Phil Kessel’s success in Toronto from the Bruins perspective.
• Yesterday was the 40th anniversary of the Sabres founding and how the organization came to be.  Patrick Kaleta has served his suspension but when he comes back to the lineup Lindy Ruff wants him to do more than just agitate.
• It looks like the play of Ryan White made Kyle Chipchura expendable to the Canadiens, explains Pat Hickey.
• Brian Elliot starts tonight for the Senators but the team needs him to pick up his game with Pascal Leclaire injured.  Meanwhile, Cory Clouston said the team’s best players need to be their best.  It appears Erik Karlsson will remain in the lineup tonight.
• Jonas Gustavsson says he feels okay and hopes to rejoin the team on its upcoming road trip.  Gustavsson’s Leafs teammates are legitimately concerned about him.  Gustavsson is disappointed that he cannot prove what type of goalie he is.  In television/radio news, the Fan 590 will have a new boss this month.

Southeast Division

• Slava Kozlov admits that when he left Buffalo he told Maxim Afinogenov to do the same.
• Tomas Vokoun feels bad for Keith Ballard and the guilt he has felt since accidentally hitting the netminder in the face.  Ballard was great about coming up to Vokoun on the team plane right after the incident happened.  Stephen Weiss was the star last night, as he scored a hat trick during regulation and then the only shootout goal after the Panthers blew a late lead.
• Some people didn’t recognize just how close Stephane Veilleux came to serious injury when Steven Stamkos was hit into his own bench on Monday.  The Lighning lost last night and, once again, Rick Tocchet wonders where his scoring is?  Former Bolts forward Mark Recchi is not surprised by Steven Stamkos’s success.
• Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau doesn’t want Ovechkin to change the way he plays.  “I’m not going to change anything,” says Ovechkin.

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