Tuesday Morning NHL Papers (Eastern Conference): Martin Brodeur is the shutout king, Zdeno Chara wonders why Senators fans boo him and the Panthers take it to Philadelphia

Atlantic Division

• What else is there to say?  Martin Brodeur is the shutout king of the NHL.  “I don’t get nervous, but tonight I was a little nervous,” said Brodeur after last night’s record setting contest.  Zach Parise hasn’t scored in eleven games, but he did tally three assists last night.
• The Islanders continued their struggles last night with a poor third period, explains Katie Strang.  Apparently Rick DiPietro felt good after yesterday’s practice.
• It helped that Brandon Dubinsky played last night without his hard cast, writes Michael Obernauer.
• It used to be intimidating to play in Philadelphia, but they certainly are not right now, writes Sam Carchidi.  When the Flyers fans weren’t booing yesterday, they were chanting for the Philadelphia Eagles.  The Flyers keep talking but nothing is changing.
• “He’s a legendary goalie, and he proves it every year,” said Sidney Crosby about Martin Brodeur.  Marc-Andre Fleury is no slouch either.  The New Jersey Devils have the Penguins’ number, writes Josh Yohe.  Now everyone of the starting six Penguins defensemen has missed time with injury, as Mark Eaton didn’t suit up last night.

Northeast Division

• Tim Thomas didn’t know he was that good against the Senators, but he doesn’t mind being told he has recorded ten wins in a row.  Who knew Shawn Thornton was so concerned about offense?  Speaking of offense, Marc Savard finally got on the board for the first time in six games.  Savard had a new linemate in Steve Begin for last night’s game.
• “We get geared up to play Toronto,” said Derek Roy after scoring the overtime winner against the Leafs at the ACC.  Thomas Vanek hates missing games but he missed second consecutive game last night with an abdominal injury.
• If Jaroslav Halak is being put on display for the rest of the league, then last night’s performance should fetch quite a return, writes Pat Hickey.
• Brian Elliot wasn’t the problem last night in probably his last game as Senators starter for a while, writes Bruce Garrioch.  Did you know that Daniel Alfredsson hasn’t scored a goal in a whopping twelve games?  Zdeno Chara doesn’t understand why fans in Ottawa boo him.
• “Those are pee wee mistakes. They can’t happen,” said Ron Wilson about the overtime winner by Derek Roy.  Viktor Stalberg is one of the Leafs’ only answers for Ryan Miller.  At least the Leafs were pretty good in their own zone, explains James Mirtle.  Dave Feschuk also noticed some positives.

Southeast Division

• “We did exactly what we wanted to do the entire game,” said Thrashers coach John Anderson after his team’s tough loss to the Habs.  Not good news for the Thrashers that contract negotiations with Ilya Kovalchuk have hit a snag.
• No news here, as the Hurricanes lost again last night, this time to the Rangers.
• Bryan McCabe took on Mike Richards and then the Panthers’ top line took care of the Flyers defeating the floundering team 4-1.  Peter DeBoer made sure he had a tough lineup last night.
• After it started so poorly, Tampa Bay ended its road trip on a good note, writes Damian Cristodero.  Rick Tocceht says last night’s game proves what the Bolts can do if his team sticks to the system.  Zenon Konopka is one tough cookie, but Rick Tocchet felt like he needed a break last night.
• Bruce Boudreau thinks the Capitals are being too fancy with the man-advantage.

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