Wednesday Morning NHL Papers: Eastern Conference

Atlantic Division

• Patrik Elias felt sore after practice on Tuesday, yet the Czech winger hasn’t been ruled out of tonight’s game.
• John Tavares and Matt Moulson have exhibited some terrific chemistry so far this season.
• “I’m not pointing fingers at anyone, but we can’t keep getting burned on things we practice,” said Chris Drury after the Rangers’ loss at Vancouver last night.  Before last night’s game, the Rangers named Vaclav Prospal an alternate captain.  Michael Del Zotto plays the game with a quiet confidence and that’s one reason he was named NHL Rookie of the Month for October.
• Sam Carchidi talks about the impressive start to the NHL career of James Van Riemsdyk.  JVR was the number two overall pick, on the other hand, David Laliberte was playing in the ECHL not so long ago.
• The Penguins won at Anaheim last night, but they made it harder on themselves than they had to.  Meanwhile, Shelly Anderson gives Penguins fans an update on former Penguin Ryan Whitney.  Rob Rossi provides GM Ray Shero’s thoughts on the Whitney for Kunitz deal.

Northeast Division

• Jason Pominville has a very important new distraction in his life, writes John Vogl.
• “We hit some posts and missed some great opportunities, but somehow you’ve got to make it happen if you want to turn this around. It’s as simple as that,” said a frustrated Claude Julien after his Bruins failed to make the scoresheet in Detroit.  The Bruins’ new power play lines really didn’t work out on Tuesday.  Could Tim Thomas be Team USA’s starting netminder in Vancouver?
• The Habs ran out of time last night against the Thrashers, writes Pat Hickey.  If the Habs will only go as far as Carey Price will take them, then they won’t be going very far if he keeps playing this way, writes Red Fisher.  “I just hate to lose,” said Price after last night’s contest.  In goods news, the “other” Matt Carle was solid in his Habs debut.
• Bruce Garrioch apparently spoke to an NHL executive that thinks Mike Fisher should be considered for the Canadian Olympic team.  (Writer’s note: I wonder when this executive is getting fired…)  In other Senators news, do not expect Eugene Melnyk to collect any money from Dany Heatley.  Meantime, Jarkko Ruutu loves Metallica.
• The Leafs peppered the Bolts, Phil Kessel played well and the team protected its own end better than it has, but Toronto still found a way to lose 2-1 in overtime.  Damien Cox was very impressed with Phil Kessel last night.  Jonas Gustavsson has only himself to blame for the first goal he allowed.

Southeast Division

• Eric Staal is injured and is listed as week-to-week for the Hurricanes.  Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice got back to coaching basics on Tuesday.
• With the Hurricanes coming to town, Panthers coach Pete DeBoer admits he’d rather play a team on a nine-game winning streak than the nine-game losing streak that the Hurricanes are currently on.  DeBoer really likes how Stephen Reinprecht goes into the dirty areas to score goals.
• Rick Tocchet says that certain players may be on the move if they don’t improve upon their early season performance.  The Lightning responded to their coach last night with the team’s first road win of the season in Toronto.  Playing in Toronto is a different beast, as the media was surrounding Vincent Lecavalier yesterday looking for answers.
• Will Alexander Semin pick up the slack for the injured Alexander Ovechkin in Washington?