Monday NHL Morning Papers (Western Conference)

Central

• Chris Kuc of the Chicago Tribune breaks down last night’s 4-3 win over the Red Wings.  Although the Wings received plenty of reinforcements, they still fell short to the Blackhawks.  Tim Sassone of The Daily Herald labeled this game an instant classic.  Rivalry, check.  Physicality, check.  Shootout, check.
• Bob Hunter of the Columbus Dispatch wonders whether the intense off-season workouts set certain players back.  The Maple Leafs used to play golf most of training camp and won cups doing it!
• Helene St. James of The Detroit Free Press discusses the merit of the Wings getting a point out of Chicago.  Patrick Kane said, “It’s one of those situations where I still think they’re the team to beat until proven otherwise in the playoffs.” I think Kane underestimates his team.
• John Glennon of the Tennessean profiles GM David Poile and his history within the Predators organization.
• The Blues continue to win by playing strong third periods.  ”And we won all three games,” forward David Backes said. “We haven’t been playing that prevent defense. The only thing you do is prevent yourself from winning. We haven’t been on our heels.”  Four in a row and counting going into tonight’s contest.

Northwest

• The Flames scored last night, but still lost to the Ducks 5-4.  “I’m disappointed in my performance. I feel that way . . . I’d be hard pressed that nobody else does either,” said backup Curtis McElhinney.  Tough luck loss for a team in desperate need of a win.
• Adrian Dater of the Denver Post hosted a mailbag and discussed the nominees for the Jack Adams Award.
• Edmonton defenseman Jason Strudwick parallels the struggles between these Oilers and the Blackhawks.  ”This is not how I anticipated the season going but I am proud of the way the guys have stuck together. I’ve seen teams start shooting each other in the back,” he said.
• Trying to get more scoring out of his team, coach Todd Richards recently broke up his top trio of Mikko Koivu, Antti Miettinen and Andrew Brunette.
• Mason Raymond won the fastest skater in the Canucks skills competition yesterday.

Pacific

• Despite their rash of injuries and poor placement in the standings, the Ducks rallied to beat the Flames 5-4.  ”We knew what was at stake,” winger Corey Perry said. “We’re looking at the standings. We know what’s going on. It’s up to us. We have to get every point we can.“
• Since breaking the Stars out of a recent funk, goaltender Alex Auld received the opportunity to carry the load in Dallas.
• Interesting quote from coach Terry Murray on the Kings offensive play and in his opinion lacking a star play on LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond.
• The Coyotes field a Czech line, with Petr Prucha leading Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata.  ”That’s really helping our game, because we better understand each other, better know each other. We play a similar game.”
• Manny Malhotra replaced Ryan Clowe on the second line and fits right in with Joe Pavelski and Devin Setoguchi.

Alexander Monaghan
NHLHS Editor
amonaghan@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @NHLHotStove