Sunday NHL Morning Papers (Western Conference)

In NHL Morning Papers we break down the stories published in newspapers around the country.  By reading our synopsis the average hockey fan can catch up to all the happenings around the National Hockey League.

Central

• Antti Niemi got the hook just twelve shots into the game.  Of course, the score was already 3-0.  ”Lot of (tough) bounces,” Niemi said.
• Speaking of bad bounces, Steve Mason delivered another mediocre performance giving up an early and soft goal as the Jackets lost 4-2.  Aaron Portzline of The Columbus Dispatch notes Mason has not won consecutive starts since October 17th.
• The Wings squandered a two goal lead eventually falling to the Kings 3-2.  ”We stopped skating; we got outworked,” said captain Nicklas Lidstrom.  Good to see that type of honesty from the veteran.
• Coach Barry Trotz would like to stop rotating his goaltenders and use Pekka Rinne as his starter.  Makes sense as Dan Ellis makes more than the young Finnish netminder.  However, Trotz would not rule out Ellis winning the job. “They dictate who plays, not me. A lot of decisions that coaches make are based on players’ performance. If someone starts taking the ball and running with it, then we’ll go with them.”
• For the third time this year the Blues lost a 3-0 lead on home ice.  ”It’s a terrible third period,” said goalie Chris Mason. “We got caught without a third guy high against the Getzlaf-Perry unit, they scored a goal to get back in the game and had the momentum for the rest of the game.”

Northwest

• Darryl Sutter will not shake up his team despite the outcry from fans and the media.  ”The last 10 we haven’t played very well, and we need to play better,” Sutter explained.
• Ryan Stoa continues to ride the shuttle from Lake Erie to Colorado.  The former University of Minnesota player knows this transition comes with making the team.  ”It’s still my first year. Hopefully, there are many more to come. But I realize the situation I’m in,” said Stoa.
• The Oilers demoted Taylor Chorney after one game.  All signs point to Steve Staios and Ladislav Smid recovering from head trauma, Joanne Ireland of The Edmonton Journal reports.
• The troika of Antti Miettinen, Mikko Koivu and Andrew Brunette regained their scoring touch as the Wild defeated the Blue Jackets 4-2. “When you’re struggling, you look to those guys,” coach Todd Richards said.
• Roberto Luongo stole in the show in the Canucks 5-1 victory over the Blackhawks.  ”You can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have to keep winning,” said the Canucks captain.

Pacific

• James Wisniewski used baby powder to loosen his hands and eventually deliver the shootout winner last night.  ”My gloves get real sticky when they start getting wet so they don’t slide on my stick,” Wisniewski said.
• Mike Heika of The Dallas Morning News analyzes impending UFA Marty Turco.
• The PA at Joe Louis Arena mistakenly called Brad Richardson a different but similar name: Brad Richards.  ”They’re both good players,” linemate Anze Kopitar offered. “Richie’s been huge for us with his intensity and his energy every night. He’s been playing a really solid game.”
• Alexander Semin led the Capitals past his Olympic teammate Ilya Bryzgalov with a 4-2 victory. “He’s got some of the best vision in the league,” said teammate Eric Fehr.
• The Sharks win streak grew to five games as Russian starter Evgeni Nabokov defeated United States starter Ryan Miller.  ”He’s a good goalie,” said Joe Pavelski about his future netminder.

Hat tip to the now defunct Illegal Curve for their permission in taking over this daily series.

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