Cross Checks: St. Louis Blues
• The Kings completed the first 4-game sweep win of a playoff series in the team's 44-year history with a 3-1 victory in Game 4 of their second-round series against St. Louis. The sweep was surprising in light of the fact that the Blues finished the regular season with 109 points, 14 more than the Kings' total of 95, which enabled Los Angeles to squeak into the playoffs as the #8 seed in the Western Conference. It was only the 7th time in NHL playoff history that a team swept an opponent that was at least 14 points better during the preceding regular season. The last such upset sweep before the Kings' was by their Southern California neighbor, the Ducks, over the Red Wings in a first-round series in 2003. Anaheim finished the 2002-03 season with 15 fewer points than Detroit (110-95).
• Martin Brodeur celebrated his 40th birthday on Sunday by posting a 3-2 win that gave the Devils a 3-1 series lead against the Flyers. Brodeur became the oldest goaltender in NHL history to start a playoff game on his birthday, breaking the mark set by Chicago's Tony Esposito when he shut out the Blues 2-0 on his 39th birthday (April 23, 1982). Brodeur is the only goaltender in NHL history to appear in playoff games as both a teenager and as a 40-year-old.
• Martin Brodeur celebrated his 40th birthday on Sunday by posting a 3-2 win that gave the Devils a 3-1 series lead against the Flyers. Brodeur became the oldest goaltender in NHL history to start a playoff game on his birthday, breaking the mark set by Chicago's Tony Esposito when he shut out the Blues 2-0 on his 39th birthday (April 23, 1982). Brodeur is the only goaltender in NHL history to appear in playoff games as both a teenager and as a 40-year-old.
LOS ANGELES -- The St. Louis Blues didn’t want to use injuries as an excuse for their second-round elimination.
To a man, they stated that the Kings were simply the better team.
But starting with a suspected knee injury that star blueliner Alex Pietrangelo tried to play through and being without No. 1 goalie Jaroslav Halak for most of the playoffs with a suspected ankle injury, it's clear the Blues were a beat-up bunch.
"We’ll let the injury stuff come out over the next couple of days,” Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock said. "But, it’s not great."
Captain David Backes also played through some sort of stomach ailment, but he didn’t feel like going there either Sunday.
"I hate that because it's almost like, well, if we didn't have injuries, we would have been a lot better," Backes said. "Well, if there's injuries all year and you've got to find ways to play through it and find ways to overcome it. Those are the little hurdles that you overcome individually and you suck up some pain for the better of the team. If a list of injuries comes out, I'm not going to be very happy because I just think whatever it is, we play through it. ... Or else you take yourself out of the lineup and let someone that is capable and willing and they'll fight through it."
Bottom line, Backes reiterated, the Kings were the better team.
"Those guys are playing as well as anyone, they have a great goaltender and their guys are sticking together, so they get credit," Backes said. "I have a feeling they’re going to go a long way."
A young Blues team that surprised many in winning the tough Central Division came unglued against the Kings. The poise they showed in beating San Jose in the first round was gone by Round 2.
"The biggest thing, looking back on this series, is the personal shift-by-shift discipline when it gets really amped up,” Hitchcock said. "And being around a little while, I think you learn that moving forward. I think you have to experience it so you know what it feels like so you don’t let it happen again."
The Blues will use this as valuable experience when they take another run next year. They’ve got a terrific young core and they’ll be around for a while.
"I think [GM Doug Armstrong] said it best, this is as close as this organization has been to chasing the Cup,” said Hitchcock, who was nominated for the Jack Adams Award this year. "So we want to build on this. I think there’s a lot of lessons here down the line. We’ll talk to the players about that over the coming weeks."
To a man, they stated that the Kings were simply the better team.
But starting with a suspected knee injury that star blueliner Alex Pietrangelo tried to play through and being without No. 1 goalie Jaroslav Halak for most of the playoffs with a suspected ankle injury, it's clear the Blues were a beat-up bunch.
"We’ll let the injury stuff come out over the next couple of days,” Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock said. "But, it’s not great."
Captain David Backes also played through some sort of stomach ailment, but he didn’t feel like going there either Sunday.
"I hate that because it's almost like, well, if we didn't have injuries, we would have been a lot better," Backes said. "Well, if there's injuries all year and you've got to find ways to play through it and find ways to overcome it. Those are the little hurdles that you overcome individually and you suck up some pain for the better of the team. If a list of injuries comes out, I'm not going to be very happy because I just think whatever it is, we play through it. ... Or else you take yourself out of the lineup and let someone that is capable and willing and they'll fight through it."
Bottom line, Backes reiterated, the Kings were the better team.
"Those guys are playing as well as anyone, they have a great goaltender and their guys are sticking together, so they get credit," Backes said. "I have a feeling they’re going to go a long way."
A young Blues team that surprised many in winning the tough Central Division came unglued against the Kings. The poise they showed in beating San Jose in the first round was gone by Round 2.
"The biggest thing, looking back on this series, is the personal shift-by-shift discipline when it gets really amped up,” Hitchcock said. "And being around a little while, I think you learn that moving forward. I think you have to experience it so you know what it feels like so you don’t let it happen again."
The Blues will use this as valuable experience when they take another run next year. They’ve got a terrific young core and they’ll be around for a while.
"I think [GM Doug Armstrong] said it best, this is as close as this organization has been to chasing the Cup,” said Hitchcock, who was nominated for the Jack Adams Award this year. "So we want to build on this. I think there’s a lot of lessons here down the line. We’ll talk to the players about that over the coming weeks."
LOS ANGELES -- The success of the Kings and Coyotes in these playoffs has certainly restored the honor of a Pacific Division that took a bit of a hit this year.
The Central Division romped during the regular season and put four of its teams in the playoffs. The Pacific didn’t have any of its teams compete for the conference title and in fact didn't crown a winner in its own division until the final few days.
But now with Los Angeles and Phoenix elevating their play in the playoffs, Pacific pride is back. And if you ask Coyotes GM Don Maloney, it was never gone.
"Unlike every other division in the NHL, there are no weak teams in the Pacific," Maloney told ESPN.com via email Saturday. "Look at the two Pacific Division clubs who missed the playoffs: after a poor start to the season, Anaheim had one of the best records in the league for 3-4 months and only faded at the very end of the season. Dallas won 11 games in a row in March and barely missed the postseason. You could certainly argue the Atlantic and Central divisions were strong this year. However, top to bottom, you never go into a game against a Pacific Division opponent expecting an easy night, which speaks volumes to the division's strength and depth."
Hard to argue with that.
Let’s not forget the work of former Kings GM Dave Taylor in the success the club is now having. It was under Taylor’s regime that the Kings drafted the likes of Jonathan Quick, Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar.
"Dean [Lombardi] has done a terrific job there but people shouldn’t forget what Dave did there as well," an NHL source told ESPN.com over the weekend.
Taylor is now the director of player personnel for the St. Louis Blues.
The Central Division romped during the regular season and put four of its teams in the playoffs. The Pacific didn’t have any of its teams compete for the conference title and in fact didn't crown a winner in its own division until the final few days.
But now with Los Angeles and Phoenix elevating their play in the playoffs, Pacific pride is back. And if you ask Coyotes GM Don Maloney, it was never gone.
"Unlike every other division in the NHL, there are no weak teams in the Pacific," Maloney told ESPN.com via email Saturday. "Look at the two Pacific Division clubs who missed the playoffs: after a poor start to the season, Anaheim had one of the best records in the league for 3-4 months and only faded at the very end of the season. Dallas won 11 games in a row in March and barely missed the postseason. You could certainly argue the Atlantic and Central divisions were strong this year. However, top to bottom, you never go into a game against a Pacific Division opponent expecting an easy night, which speaks volumes to the division's strength and depth."
Hard to argue with that.
Give Taylor credit for Kings' rise
Let’s not forget the work of former Kings GM Dave Taylor in the success the club is now having. It was under Taylor’s regime that the Kings drafted the likes of Jonathan Quick, Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar.
"Dean [Lombardi] has done a terrific job there but people shouldn’t forget what Dave did there as well," an NHL source told ESPN.com over the weekend.
Taylor is now the director of player personnel for the St. Louis Blues.
Afternoon jam: Game preview facts
May, 3, 2012
May 3
2:45
PM ET
By ESPN Stats and Information Group | ESPN.com
Home Cooking? The Kings look to take a commanding 3-0 series edge tonight, but being home might actually be a disadvantage. In their last seven home playoff games, the Kings are 1-6 and allowing 4.1 goals per game. In their last seven road playoff games, they are 7-0 and allowing 1.3 goals per game. Their seven-game road win streak is two shy of the all-time playoff record.
The San Jose Sharks announced Wednesday that their GM Doug Wilson would remain in place, but what about the head coach?
No word yet on that front, but my guess is that Todd McLellan will remain behind the bench for the Sharks.
McLellan has two more years on his deal. For my money, he’s one of the better coaches in the NHL, and if the Sharks decided to part ways, he would not be out of work very long. But I think he’ll be staying put.
Meanwhile, in Vancouver, still no word regarding Alain Vigneault. My read on it: GM Mike Gillis wants Vigneault back as head coach but ownership has yet to weigh in.
Certainly, if the Canucks decided to fire Vigneault, you better bet new Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin would be all over him.
I believe Marc Crawford will also be in the mix for the Habs coaching job, and my TSN colleague Darren Dreger reports that Bob Hartley and Michel Therrien are also on the radar.
It’s not quite done yet but a source told ESPN.com Wednesday that the sale of the St. Louis Blues to a group headed by minority owner Tom Stillman is "very close."
Once the deal is finally approved by the board of governors, it will be a parting of the ways between current chairman Dave Checketts and the Blues.
I had a chance to meet Stillman in the first round. I found him to be a real engaging guy who is passionate about the team and the sport in general. I think the Blues are going to be in good hands with Stillman, who came on board as a minority owner in March 2007.
The team has been for sale for 14 months, which has made things difficult on the front office. The Blues couldn’t add a dime to their payroll at the trade deadline, for example. And they’ve got players who need new deals this summer. T.J. Oshie and David Perron are restricted free agents and defenseman Barret Jackman is an unrestricted free agent.
No word yet on that front, but my guess is that Todd McLellan will remain behind the bench for the Sharks.
McLellan has two more years on his deal. For my money, he’s one of the better coaches in the NHL, and if the Sharks decided to part ways, he would not be out of work very long. But I think he’ll be staying put.
Meanwhile, in Vancouver, still no word regarding Alain Vigneault. My read on it: GM Mike Gillis wants Vigneault back as head coach but ownership has yet to weigh in.
Certainly, if the Canucks decided to fire Vigneault, you better bet new Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin would be all over him.
I believe Marc Crawford will also be in the mix for the Habs coaching job, and my TSN colleague Darren Dreger reports that Bob Hartley and Michel Therrien are also on the radar.
Blues sale
It’s not quite done yet but a source told ESPN.com Wednesday that the sale of the St. Louis Blues to a group headed by minority owner Tom Stillman is "very close."
Once the deal is finally approved by the board of governors, it will be a parting of the ways between current chairman Dave Checketts and the Blues.
I had a chance to meet Stillman in the first round. I found him to be a real engaging guy who is passionate about the team and the sport in general. I think the Blues are going to be in good hands with Stillman, who came on board as a minority owner in March 2007.
The team has been for sale for 14 months, which has made things difficult on the front office. The Blues couldn’t add a dime to their payroll at the trade deadline, for example. And they’ve got players who need new deals this summer. T.J. Oshie and David Perron are restricted free agents and defenseman Barret Jackman is an unrestricted free agent.
• Jason Chimera scored a goal in the Capitals’ 3–2 win over the Rangers in Game 2 of their series on Monday. Chimera has scored four goals in seven career playoff games against the Rangers and only two goals in 24 playoff games against all other opponents.
Alex Ovechkin ended the worst playoff scoring drought of his NHL career with a third-period game-winning goal for the Capitals. Ovechkin did not record a point in the Capitals’ Game 7 victory at Boston in the first round or in Game 1 of the current series versus the Rangers. It was the first time that Ovechkin has been held without a point in consecutive playoff games in his NHL career. (Ovechkin has now played in 46 NHL playoff games.)
• Jonathan Quick has won his last seven road playoff games and he hasn’t allowed more than two goals in any of those games. Only three other goaltenders in NHL history won seven straight road playoff games while allowing no more than two goals in any of them: Ken Dryden (eight-game streak from 1977 to 1978), Turk Broda (eight-game streak, 1948-1950) and Martin Brodeur (seven-game streak in 1995).
Dustin Brown recorded the second three-assist game of his NHL career to lead the Kings to a 5–2 win at St. Louis and a 2–0 lead in their second-round series. Brown’s other three-assist game was in a regular-season L.A. victory at Toronto on Jan. 26, 2010. Brown has four shorthanded points this postseason (two goals, two assists); over the last 15 years the only player with that many in one postseason was Henrik Zetterberg, who had five shorthanded points in 2007.
Alex Ovechkin ended the worst playoff scoring drought of his NHL career with a third-period game-winning goal for the Capitals. Ovechkin did not record a point in the Capitals’ Game 7 victory at Boston in the first round or in Game 1 of the current series versus the Rangers. It was the first time that Ovechkin has been held without a point in consecutive playoff games in his NHL career. (Ovechkin has now played in 46 NHL playoff games.)
• Jonathan Quick has won his last seven road playoff games and he hasn’t allowed more than two goals in any of those games. Only three other goaltenders in NHL history won seven straight road playoff games while allowing no more than two goals in any of them: Ken Dryden (eight-game streak from 1977 to 1978), Turk Broda (eight-game streak, 1948-1950) and Martin Brodeur (seven-game streak in 1995).
Dustin Brown recorded the second three-assist game of his NHL career to lead the Kings to a 5–2 win at St. Louis and a 2–0 lead in their second-round series. Brown’s other three-assist game was in a regular-season L.A. victory at Toronto on Jan. 26, 2010. Brown has four shorthanded points this postseason (two goals, two assists); over the last 15 years the only player with that many in one postseason was Henrik Zetterberg, who had five shorthanded points in 2007.
ST. LOUIS -- You can forget seeing Jaroslav Halak come to the rescue for the Blues.
"He won’t play in the series," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said in dropping a minibomb after his team’s 5-2 loss Monday night to fall behind 2-0 in its second-round series with L.A.
Halak hasn’t played since suffering a suspected ankle injury 49 seconds into Game 2 against San Jose in the opening round.
Brian Elliott gave up five goals on 21 shots Monday night, although he was hardly fully to blame, as his team’s defensive coverage was porous.
The Blues went 0-for-9 with the man advantage Monday night and now are 0-for-12 for the series. Including their regular-season games with the Kings this year, they’re now 0-for-23 overall.
To make matters worse, the Kings have scored two short-handed goals in the series, including Anze Kopitar’s beautiful tally Monday night that made it 2-0 at 14:16 of the first period.
"The power play is costing us in a big way,” Hitchcock said. "It’s hurting us. Short-handed goals take away a lot of momentum. We’ve had two [against them] in two games. Careless play by us."
Blues captain David Backes figures the Kings don’t mind taking penalties because of it.
"The way our power play's going, they were taking liberties left and right because they kill it off, they score on the penalty kill,” Backes said. "That's a good thing for them. It's something we'll look hard at and Thursday be better at."
He’s been an effective force on a line with Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.
Who knew?
"It’s good to see that emotional investment from Dustin, right?" Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "Good to see and good for him. I said it before the series, we need him to have a good series."
"He won’t play in the series," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said in dropping a minibomb after his team’s 5-2 loss Monday night to fall behind 2-0 in its second-round series with L.A.
Halak hasn’t played since suffering a suspected ankle injury 49 seconds into Game 2 against San Jose in the opening round.
Brian Elliott gave up five goals on 21 shots Monday night, although he was hardly fully to blame, as his team’s defensive coverage was porous.
Power-play Blues
Where Hitchcock was the most concerned through two games in this series was on the power play.The Blues went 0-for-9 with the man advantage Monday night and now are 0-for-12 for the series. Including their regular-season games with the Kings this year, they’re now 0-for-23 overall.
To make matters worse, the Kings have scored two short-handed goals in the series, including Anze Kopitar’s beautiful tally Monday night that made it 2-0 at 14:16 of the first period.
"The power play is costing us in a big way,” Hitchcock said. "It’s hurting us. Short-handed goals take away a lot of momentum. We’ve had two [against them] in two games. Careless play by us."
Blues captain David Backes figures the Kings don’t mind taking penalties because of it.
"The way our power play's going, they were taking liberties left and right because they kill it off, they score on the penalty kill,” Backes said. "That's a good thing for them. It's something we'll look hard at and Thursday be better at."
Penner on fire
The much-maligned Dustin Penner has one goal and three assists through two games in the series.He’s been an effective force on a line with Mike Richards and Jeff Carter.
Who knew?
"It’s good to see that emotional investment from Dustin, right?" Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "Good to see and good for him. I said it before the series, we need him to have a good series."
What to watch for as the Kings and Blues battle in St. Louis at 9 ET on Monday in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals.
From the official NHL release:
HITCHCOCK, MacLEAN AND TORTORELLA NAMED JACK ADAMS AWARD FINALISTS
NEW YORK (April 30, 2012) -- Ken Hitchcock of the St. Louis Blues, Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators and John Tortorella of the New York Rangers are the three finalists for the 2011-12 Jack Adams Award, presented to the head coach who has "contributed the most to his team's success," the National Hockey League announced today.
Members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association submitted ballots for the Jack Adams Award at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2012 NHL Awards from Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The 2012 NHL Awards will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network in the United States and CBC in Canada.
Following are the finalists for the Jack Adams Award, in alphabetical
order:
Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis Blues
Hitchcock made his debut behind the St. Louis bench Nov. 8 with the club at 6-7-0 and posted a 43-15-11 record the rest of the way; the 109-point season was the Blues' best since capturing the Presidents' Trophy in 1999-2000. The club broke or tied 13 franchise records, including a 21-game home points streak and 30 home wins overall. The Blues allowed the NHL's fewest goals against by a wide margin (165), the fewest shots per game (26.7) and posted the most shutouts (15). Hitchcock earned his fourth career nomination as a Jack Adams finalist and the first in 13 years; he finished second in 1997 and third in 1998 and 1999, all with Dallas.
Paul MacLean, Ottawa Senators
MacLean made his NHL debut as head coach after spending six seasons as an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings and led the Senators (41-31-10,
92 points) to a Stanley Cup Playoff berth and an 18-point improvement over last season's 13th-place East finish. The biggest change was on offense, where Ottawa jumped from 26th to fourth in the League in goals per game.
MacLean is the third rookie head coach in the past four years to earn a Jack Adams finalist berth: Washington's Bruce Boudreau captured the award in 2008, followed by third-place finishes by San Jose's Todd McLellan in
2009 and Colorado's Joe Sacco in 2010.
John Tortorella, New York Rangers
Tortorella guided the Rangers to first place in the Eastern Conference with a 51-24-7 record, their best regular-season performance since the Stanley Cup season of 1993-94. The club's goals-against figure
(187) was tops in the East, third in the NHL overall and was the fewest by a Rangers club over a full season since 1970-71. The Rangers led all clubs in hits (2,419) and ranked fourth in blocked shots (1,338). Tortorella is a Jack Adams finalist for the third time; he finished second in the voting in
2003 and captured the award in 2004, the season in which he guided the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup.
History
The award was presented by the NHL Broadcasters' Association in 1974 in honor of the late Jack Adams, longtime coach and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.
HITCHCOCK, MacLEAN AND TORTORELLA NAMED JACK ADAMS AWARD FINALISTS
NEW YORK (April 30, 2012) -- Ken Hitchcock of the St. Louis Blues, Paul MacLean of the Ottawa Senators and John Tortorella of the New York Rangers are the three finalists for the 2011-12 Jack Adams Award, presented to the head coach who has "contributed the most to his team's success," the National Hockey League announced today.
Members of the NHL Broadcasters' Association submitted ballots for the Jack Adams Award at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2012 NHL Awards from Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The 2012 NHL Awards will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network in the United States and CBC in Canada.
Following are the finalists for the Jack Adams Award, in alphabetical
order:
Ken Hitchcock, St. Louis Blues
Hitchcock made his debut behind the St. Louis bench Nov. 8 with the club at 6-7-0 and posted a 43-15-11 record the rest of the way; the 109-point season was the Blues' best since capturing the Presidents' Trophy in 1999-2000. The club broke or tied 13 franchise records, including a 21-game home points streak and 30 home wins overall. The Blues allowed the NHL's fewest goals against by a wide margin (165), the fewest shots per game (26.7) and posted the most shutouts (15). Hitchcock earned his fourth career nomination as a Jack Adams finalist and the first in 13 years; he finished second in 1997 and third in 1998 and 1999, all with Dallas.
Paul MacLean, Ottawa Senators
MacLean made his NHL debut as head coach after spending six seasons as an assistant with the Detroit Red Wings and led the Senators (41-31-10,
92 points) to a Stanley Cup Playoff berth and an 18-point improvement over last season's 13th-place East finish. The biggest change was on offense, where Ottawa jumped from 26th to fourth in the League in goals per game.
MacLean is the third rookie head coach in the past four years to earn a Jack Adams finalist berth: Washington's Bruce Boudreau captured the award in 2008, followed by third-place finishes by San Jose's Todd McLellan in
2009 and Colorado's Joe Sacco in 2010.
John Tortorella, New York Rangers
Tortorella guided the Rangers to first place in the Eastern Conference with a 51-24-7 record, their best regular-season performance since the Stanley Cup season of 1993-94. The club's goals-against figure
(187) was tops in the East, third in the NHL overall and was the fewest by a Rangers club over a full season since 1970-71. The Rangers led all clubs in hits (2,419) and ranked fourth in blocked shots (1,338). Tortorella is a Jack Adams finalist for the third time; he finished second in the voting in
2003 and captured the award in 2004, the season in which he guided the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Stanley Cup.
History
The award was presented by the NHL Broadcasters' Association in 1974 in honor of the late Jack Adams, longtime coach and general manager of the Detroit Red Wings.
Western Conference semifinals notes
April, 27, 2012
Apr 27
3:02
PM ET
By John Parolin, ESPN Stats and Analysis | ESPN.com
No. 8 Los Angeles Kings vs No. 2 St. Louis Blues
• The Kings beat Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo for seven goals in the first two games of their first-round series (and also scored an empty-net goal). Six of those seven goals beat Luongo to the stick side. The Kings also scored three of their four goals against replacement Cory Schneider to his stick side.
• The battle in front of the net could decide the series. The Blues scored nine of their 14 first-round goals against the Sharks either in front or through a screen, while the Kings allowed only four such goals against the Canucks.
• On the other side, neither Brian Elliott nor Jaroslav Halak gave up a rebound goal in the first round. St. Louis was the only team that didn’t allow one.
• The Kings were the only team in the Western Conference to advance to the second round despite losing over half of their faceoffs in the series (48.2 percent).
• Dustin Brown was one of two players (Maxime Talbot was the other) to score multiple shorthanded goals in the playoffs. The Canucks as a team scored on only three of their 21 power-play opportunities, and surrendered Brown’s two shorthanded goals.
No. 4 Nashville Predators vs No. 3 Phoenix Coyotes
• Black-and-blue collar: The Coyotes led all Western Conference teams with 246 hits and 128 blocked shots in their first-round series with the Blackhawks, and killed a playoff-best 94.7 percent of Chicago’s power-play opportunities (1-for-19).
• The Predators allowed only four 5-on-5 goals in their five games against the Red Wings, the lowest of any playoff team.
• The Coyotes were outshot in all six first-round games against the Blackhawks. During the regular season, Phoenix averaged being outshot by 2.0 shots per game, 21st in the NHL. The only team in the Western Conference with a bigger deficit was their second-round opponent: Nashville was outshot by 3.2 shots per game, 26th in NHL.
• Nashville has four of the top nine plus/minus players in the playoffs. Defenseman Francis Bouillon is currently tied for the playoff lead with a plus-6 with Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux while Alexander Radulov, David Legwand and Gabriel Bourque all were plus-5 in the first round series with Detroit.
• The Coyotes scored 12 of their 17 goals either in front of the net or through screens, most in the Western Conference.
• The Kings beat Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo for seven goals in the first two games of their first-round series (and also scored an empty-net goal). Six of those seven goals beat Luongo to the stick side. The Kings also scored three of their four goals against replacement Cory Schneider to his stick side.
• The battle in front of the net could decide the series. The Blues scored nine of their 14 first-round goals against the Sharks either in front or through a screen, while the Kings allowed only four such goals against the Canucks.
• On the other side, neither Brian Elliott nor Jaroslav Halak gave up a rebound goal in the first round. St. Louis was the only team that didn’t allow one.
• The Kings were the only team in the Western Conference to advance to the second round despite losing over half of their faceoffs in the series (48.2 percent).
• Dustin Brown was one of two players (Maxime Talbot was the other) to score multiple shorthanded goals in the playoffs. The Canucks as a team scored on only three of their 21 power-play opportunities, and surrendered Brown’s two shorthanded goals.
No. 4 Nashville Predators vs No. 3 Phoenix Coyotes
• Black-and-blue collar: The Coyotes led all Western Conference teams with 246 hits and 128 blocked shots in their first-round series with the Blackhawks, and killed a playoff-best 94.7 percent of Chicago’s power-play opportunities (1-for-19).
• The Predators allowed only four 5-on-5 goals in their five games against the Red Wings, the lowest of any playoff team.
• The Coyotes were outshot in all six first-round games against the Blackhawks. During the regular season, Phoenix averaged being outshot by 2.0 shots per game, 21st in the NHL. The only team in the Western Conference with a bigger deficit was their second-round opponent: Nashville was outshot by 3.2 shots per game, 26th in NHL.
• Nashville has four of the top nine plus/minus players in the playoffs. Defenseman Francis Bouillon is currently tied for the playoff lead with a plus-6 with Philadelphia’s Claude Giroux while Alexander Radulov, David Legwand and Gabriel Bourque all were plus-5 in the first round series with Detroit.
• The Coyotes scored 12 of their 17 goals either in front of the net or through screens, most in the Western Conference.
From the official NHL release:
2012 STANLEY CUP CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS SCHEDULE
NEW YORK (April 26, 2012) – The National Hockey League today announced the dates, starting times and television coverage for the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoff Conference Semifinals, which begin Friday, April 27, when the Phoenix Coyotes host the Nashville Predators. For the first time NBC Sports Group will have exclusive coverage of the Conference Semifinals in the U.S. CBC, TSN and RDS televise exclusive coverage throughout Canada.
2012 EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
SERIES I TIME (ET) #1 NY Rangers vs. #7 Washington Networks
Saturday, April 28, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers NBC, CBC
Monday, April 30, 2012 7:30 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers NBC Sports Network, CBC
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington NBC Sports Network, CBC
Saturday, May 5, 2012 12:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington NBC, CBC
*Monday, May 7, 2012 7:30 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Wednesday, May 9, 2012 TBD NY Rangers at Washington TBD, CBC
*Saturday, May 12, 2012 TBD Washington at NY Rangers TBD, CBC
SERIES J TIME (ET) #5 Philadelphia vs. #6 New Jersey Networks
Sunday, April 29, 2012 3 p.m. New Jersey at Philadelphia NBC, CBC
Tuesday, May 1, 2012 7:30 p.m. New Jersey at Philadelphia NBC Sports Network, CBC
Thursday, May 3, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at New Jersey NBC Sports Network, CBC
Sunday, May 6, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at New Jersey NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Tuesday, May 8, 2012 TBD New Jersey at Philadelphia NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Thursday, May 10, 2012 TBD Philadelphia at New Jersey TBD, CBC
*Saturday, May 12, 2012 TBD New Jersey at Philadelphia TBD, CBC
2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
SERIES K TIME (ET) #2 St. Louis vs. #8 Los Angeles Networks
Saturday, April 28, 2012 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles at St. Louis NBC Sports Network, TSN
Monday, April 30, 2012 9 p.m. Los Angeles at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
Thursday, May 3, 2012 10 p.m. St. Louis at Los Angeles NBC Sports Network, TSN
Sunday, May 6, 2012 3 p.m. St. Louis at Los Angeles NBC, TSN
*Tuesday, May 8, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
*Thursday, May 10, 2012 TBD St. Louis at Los Angeles TBD, TSN
*Saturday, May 12, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at St. Louis TBD, TSN
SERIES L TIME (ET) #3 Phoenix vs. #4 Nashville Networks
Friday, April 27, 2012 9 p.m. Nashville at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
Sunday, April 29, 2012 8 p.m. Nashville at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 9 p.m. Phoenix at Nashville CNBC, TSN
Friday, May 4, 2012 7:30 p.m. Phoenix at Nashville NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Monday, May 7, 2012 10 p.m. Nashville at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Wednesday, May 9, 2012 TBD Phoenix at Nashville TBD, TSN
*Friday, May 11, 2012 TBD Nashville at Phoenix TBD, TSN
* If necessary
ALL TIMES LISTED ARE EASTERN TIME
TBD = To Be Determined
2012 STANLEY CUP CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS SCHEDULE
NEW YORK (April 26, 2012) – The National Hockey League today announced the dates, starting times and television coverage for the 2012 Stanley Cup Playoff Conference Semifinals, which begin Friday, April 27, when the Phoenix Coyotes host the Nashville Predators. For the first time NBC Sports Group will have exclusive coverage of the Conference Semifinals in the U.S. CBC, TSN and RDS televise exclusive coverage throughout Canada.
2012 EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
SERIES I TIME (ET) #1 NY Rangers vs. #7 Washington Networks
Saturday, April 28, 2012 3 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers NBC, CBC
Monday, April 30, 2012 7:30 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers NBC Sports Network, CBC
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 7:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington NBC Sports Network, CBC
Saturday, May 5, 2012 12:30 p.m. NY Rangers at Washington NBC, CBC
*Monday, May 7, 2012 7:30 p.m. Washington at NY Rangers NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Wednesday, May 9, 2012 TBD NY Rangers at Washington TBD, CBC
*Saturday, May 12, 2012 TBD Washington at NY Rangers TBD, CBC
SERIES J TIME (ET) #5 Philadelphia vs. #6 New Jersey Networks
Sunday, April 29, 2012 3 p.m. New Jersey at Philadelphia NBC, CBC
Tuesday, May 1, 2012 7:30 p.m. New Jersey at Philadelphia NBC Sports Network, CBC
Thursday, May 3, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at New Jersey NBC Sports Network, CBC
Sunday, May 6, 2012 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at New Jersey NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Tuesday, May 8, 2012 TBD New Jersey at Philadelphia NBC Sports Network, CBC
*Thursday, May 10, 2012 TBD Philadelphia at New Jersey TBD, CBC
*Saturday, May 12, 2012 TBD New Jersey at Philadelphia TBD, CBC
2012 WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS
SERIES K TIME (ET) #2 St. Louis vs. #8 Los Angeles Networks
Saturday, April 28, 2012 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles at St. Louis NBC Sports Network, TSN
Monday, April 30, 2012 9 p.m. Los Angeles at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
Thursday, May 3, 2012 10 p.m. St. Louis at Los Angeles NBC Sports Network, TSN
Sunday, May 6, 2012 3 p.m. St. Louis at Los Angeles NBC, TSN
*Tuesday, May 8, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at St. Louis CNBC, TSN
*Thursday, May 10, 2012 TBD St. Louis at Los Angeles TBD, TSN
*Saturday, May 12, 2012 TBD Los Angeles at St. Louis TBD, TSN
SERIES L TIME (ET) #3 Phoenix vs. #4 Nashville Networks
Friday, April 27, 2012 9 p.m. Nashville at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
Sunday, April 29, 2012 8 p.m. Nashville at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 9 p.m. Phoenix at Nashville CNBC, TSN
Friday, May 4, 2012 7:30 p.m. Phoenix at Nashville NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Monday, May 7, 2012 10 p.m. Nashville at Phoenix NBC Sports Network, TSN
*Wednesday, May 9, 2012 TBD Phoenix at Nashville TBD, TSN
*Friday, May 11, 2012 TBD Nashville at Phoenix TBD, TSN
* If necessary
ALL TIMES LISTED ARE EASTERN TIME
TBD = To Be Determined
Friday, April 27: Game 1, Nashville at Phoenix
Saturday, April 28: Game 1, Los Angeles at St. Louis
Sunday, April 29: Game 2, Nashville at Phoenix
Monday, April 30: Game 2, Los Angeles at St. Louis
Wednesday, May 2: Game 3, Phoenix at Nashville
Thursday, May 3: Game 3, St. Louis at Los Angeles
Friday, May 4: Game 4, Phoenix at Nashville
Sunday, May 6: Game 4, St. Louis at Los Angeles
From the official NHL release. Note that times have not yet been set:
PHOENIX COYOTES - NASHVILLE PREDATORS CONFERENCE SEMIFINAL BEGINS FRIDAY;
ST. LOUIS BLUES - LOS ANGELES KINGS SERIES STARTS SATURDAY
NEW YORK (April 25, 2012) - The National Hockey League today announced the schedule for the first four games for both of the Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Semifinals.
The series between the Phoenix Coyotes and Nashville Predators will begin on Friday, April 27th, and will continue with Game 2 on Sunday, April 29th, with both games being played in Phoenix. Game 3, in Nashville, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2nd and Game 4 will be Friday, May 4th, also in Nashville.
The series featuring the St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings will begin on Saturday, April 28th, in St. Louis. Game 2 will be Monday, April 30th, also in St. Louis. Games 3 and 4 will be played in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 6th, respectively.
The complete Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals schedule, including start times and television information, will be released upon conclusion of the Conference Quarterfinal round Thursday night.
Saturday, April 28: Game 1, Los Angeles at St. Louis
Sunday, April 29: Game 2, Nashville at Phoenix
Monday, April 30: Game 2, Los Angeles at St. Louis
Wednesday, May 2: Game 3, Phoenix at Nashville
Thursday, May 3: Game 3, St. Louis at Los Angeles
Friday, May 4: Game 4, Phoenix at Nashville
Sunday, May 6: Game 4, St. Louis at Los Angeles
From the official NHL release. Note that times have not yet been set:
PHOENIX COYOTES - NASHVILLE PREDATORS CONFERENCE SEMIFINAL BEGINS FRIDAY;
ST. LOUIS BLUES - LOS ANGELES KINGS SERIES STARTS SATURDAY
NEW YORK (April 25, 2012) - The National Hockey League today announced the schedule for the first four games for both of the Stanley Cup Playoff Western Conference Semifinals.
The series between the Phoenix Coyotes and Nashville Predators will begin on Friday, April 27th, and will continue with Game 2 on Sunday, April 29th, with both games being played in Phoenix. Game 3, in Nashville, is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2nd and Game 4 will be Friday, May 4th, also in Nashville.
The series featuring the St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings will begin on Saturday, April 28th, in St. Louis. Game 2 will be Monday, April 30th, also in St. Louis. Games 3 and 4 will be played in Los Angeles on Thursday, May 3rd and Sunday, May 6th, respectively.
The complete Eastern and Western Conference Semifinals schedule, including start times and television information, will be released upon conclusion of the Conference Quarterfinal round Thursday night.
From the official NHL release:
ARMSTRONG, POILE AND TALLON NAMED FINALISTS
FOR NHL GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD
NEW YORK (April 24, 2012) -- Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues, David Poile of the Nashville Predators and Dale Tallon of the Florida Panthers are the three finalists for the 2011-12 NHL General Manager of the Year Award, the National Hockey League announced today.
Voting for this award was conducted among the 30 Club General Managers and a panel of NHL executives, print and broadcast media. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2012 NHL Awards from Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The 2012 NHL Awards will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network in the United States and CBC in Canada.
Following are the finalists, in alphabetical order, for NHL General Manager of the Year:
Doug Armstrong, St. Louis Blues
Armstrong oversaw a Blues renaissance reflected by their 49-22-11 record and first Central Division title since 1999-2000. Adding to a talented nucleus of Blues draft picks that includes David Backes, T.J.
Oshie, David Perron and Alex Pietrangelo, Armstrong made the signing of the summer in unheralded free agent goaltender Brian Elliott, who led the NHL with a 1.56 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. He also acquired veteran forwards Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner. After the Blues started the season 6-7-0, Armstrong made a change behind the bench by bringing in 500-game winner and Stanley Cup champion head coach Ken Hitchcock, who led St. Louis to a 43-15-11 record.
David Poile, Nashville Predators
A season after Nashville won its first-ever Stanley Cup Playoff series, Poile's work helped the Predators (48-26-8) earn a postseason berth for the seventh time in eight seasons and an opportunity for more milestones. As in past years, the Predators' underlying strength was its deep roster of players drafted and developed by the organization, including star goaltender Pekka Rinne, leading scorers Martin Erat and David Legwand, and defensemen Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Kevin Klein. Poile negotiated the late-season return of star forward Alex Radulov and also acquired top-six forward Andrei Kostitsyn, shutdown center Paul Gaustad and veteran defenseman Hal Gill prior to the trade deadline.
Dale Tallon, Florida Panthers
Tallon's comprehensive off-season overhaul was a runaway success as the Panthers (38-26-18) captured the first division title in franchise history and earned a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 12 years. He named Kevin Dineen to his first NHL head coaching assignment last June and followed with a flurry of acquisitions that included forwards Kris Versteeg, Tomas Fleischmann, Sean Bergenheim and Tomas Kopecky, defensemen Brian Campbell and Ed Jovanovski and goaltender Jose Theodore. In-season acquisitions of veteran forwards Mikael Samuelsson , John Madden, Marco Sturm, Wojtek Wolski and Jerred Smithson bolstered Florida's playoff drive.
ARMSTRONG, POILE AND TALLON NAMED FINALISTS
FOR NHL GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR AWARD
NEW YORK (April 24, 2012) -- Doug Armstrong of the St. Louis Blues, David Poile of the Nashville Predators and Dale Tallon of the Florida Panthers are the three finalists for the 2011-12 NHL General Manager of the Year Award, the National Hockey League announced today.
Voting for this award was conducted among the 30 Club General Managers and a panel of NHL executives, print and broadcast media. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2012 NHL Awards from Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The 2012 NHL Awards will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network in the United States and CBC in Canada.
Following are the finalists, in alphabetical order, for NHL General Manager of the Year:
Doug Armstrong, St. Louis Blues
Armstrong oversaw a Blues renaissance reflected by their 49-22-11 record and first Central Division title since 1999-2000. Adding to a talented nucleus of Blues draft picks that includes David Backes, T.J.
Oshie, David Perron and Alex Pietrangelo, Armstrong made the signing of the summer in unheralded free agent goaltender Brian Elliott, who led the NHL with a 1.56 goals-against average and .940 save percentage. He also acquired veteran forwards Jason Arnott and Jamie Langenbrunner. After the Blues started the season 6-7-0, Armstrong made a change behind the bench by bringing in 500-game winner and Stanley Cup champion head coach Ken Hitchcock, who led St. Louis to a 43-15-11 record.
David Poile, Nashville Predators
A season after Nashville won its first-ever Stanley Cup Playoff series, Poile's work helped the Predators (48-26-8) earn a postseason berth for the seventh time in eight seasons and an opportunity for more milestones. As in past years, the Predators' underlying strength was its deep roster of players drafted and developed by the organization, including star goaltender Pekka Rinne, leading scorers Martin Erat and David Legwand, and defensemen Shea Weber, Ryan Suter and Kevin Klein. Poile negotiated the late-season return of star forward Alex Radulov and also acquired top-six forward Andrei Kostitsyn, shutdown center Paul Gaustad and veteran defenseman Hal Gill prior to the trade deadline.
Dale Tallon, Florida Panthers
Tallon's comprehensive off-season overhaul was a runaway success as the Panthers (38-26-18) captured the first division title in franchise history and earned a berth in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time in 12 years. He named Kevin Dineen to his first NHL head coaching assignment last June and followed with a flurry of acquisitions that included forwards Kris Versteeg, Tomas Fleischmann, Sean Bergenheim and Tomas Kopecky, defensemen Brian Campbell and Ed Jovanovski and goaltender Jose Theodore. In-season acquisitions of veteran forwards Mikael Samuelsson , John Madden, Marco Sturm, Wojtek Wolski and Jerred Smithson bolstered Florida's playoff drive.
From the official NHL release:
BACKES, BERGERON AND DATSYUK VOTED SELKE TROPHY FINALISTS
NEW YORK (April 23, 2012) -- Centers David Backes of the St. Louis Blues, Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings are the three finalists for the 2011-12 Frank J. Selke Trophy, which is awarded "to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game," the National Hockey League announced today.
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Selke Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2012 NHL Awards from Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The 2012 NHL Awards will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network in the United States and CBC in Canada.
Following are the finalists for the Selke Trophy, in alphabetical
order:
David Backes, St. Louis Blues
Backes had the highest average ice time per game among forwards
(19:59) on the club that allowed the fewest goals in the NHL by a wide margin. The 6'3", 225-lb. center again was a punishing physical presence, doling out a team-leading 226 hits, joining Los Angeles forward Dustin Brown as the only players to record 200 hits or more in each of the past five seasons. Backes led the Blues in face-offs (1,353), blocked 72 shots and posted a +15 rating. The Blues captain is an NHL Trophy finalist for first time in his seven-year NHL career and is the first Blues player vying for the Selke Trophy since Michal Handzus finished second in 2000.
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Bergeron led the NHL in plus-minus (+36), posting a +18 rating both at home and on the road, helping the Bruins rank second in the Eastern Conference in team defense (2.39 GAA). Appearing in a single-season career-high 81 games, he topped all Bruins forwards in shorthanded time on ice (1:48 per game) and was dominant in the face-off circle, posting a 59.2% winning percentage (973 of 1,641) to rank second in the League behind Chicago's Jonathan Toews (59.4%). Bergeron is an NHL Trophy finalist for the first time and could become the second Bruins player to capture Selke honors, joining Steve Kasper (1982).
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Datsyuk continued his mastery of separating opponents from the puck in 2011-12 by ranking third in the NHL in takeaways (97), and his stickhandling and passing skills helped the Red Wings' renowned puck possession game. Datsyuk posted a +21 rating and was the club's top face-off man, posting a 56.2% winning percentage (702 of 1,249) -- his eighth consecutive season posting a win rate above 53%. Datsyuk has been voted a Selke finalist for the fifth consecutive year, matching the streaks of Montreal's Guy Carbonneau (1986 through 1990) and Bob Gainey (1978 through 1982) as the longest since the award was introduced in 1978.
History
The trophy was presented in 1977 by the National Hockey League Board of Governors in honor of Frank J. Selke, one of the great architects of Montreal and Toronto championship teams.
BACKES, BERGERON AND DATSYUK VOTED SELKE TROPHY FINALISTS
NEW YORK (April 23, 2012) -- Centers David Backes of the St. Louis Blues, Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings are the three finalists for the 2011-12 Frank J. Selke Trophy, which is awarded "to the forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game," the National Hockey League announced today.
Members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association submitted ballots for the Selke Trophy at the conclusion of the regular season, with the top three vote-getters designated as finalists. The winner will be announced Wednesday, June 20, during the 2012 NHL Awards from Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas. The 2012 NHL Awards will be broadcast by NBC Sports Network in the United States and CBC in Canada.
Following are the finalists for the Selke Trophy, in alphabetical
order:
David Backes, St. Louis Blues
Backes had the highest average ice time per game among forwards
(19:59) on the club that allowed the fewest goals in the NHL by a wide margin. The 6'3", 225-lb. center again was a punishing physical presence, doling out a team-leading 226 hits, joining Los Angeles forward Dustin Brown as the only players to record 200 hits or more in each of the past five seasons. Backes led the Blues in face-offs (1,353), blocked 72 shots and posted a +15 rating. The Blues captain is an NHL Trophy finalist for first time in his seven-year NHL career and is the first Blues player vying for the Selke Trophy since Michal Handzus finished second in 2000.
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
Bergeron led the NHL in plus-minus (+36), posting a +18 rating both at home and on the road, helping the Bruins rank second in the Eastern Conference in team defense (2.39 GAA). Appearing in a single-season career-high 81 games, he topped all Bruins forwards in shorthanded time on ice (1:48 per game) and was dominant in the face-off circle, posting a 59.2% winning percentage (973 of 1,641) to rank second in the League behind Chicago's Jonathan Toews (59.4%). Bergeron is an NHL Trophy finalist for the first time and could become the second Bruins player to capture Selke honors, joining Steve Kasper (1982).
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Datsyuk continued his mastery of separating opponents from the puck in 2011-12 by ranking third in the NHL in takeaways (97), and his stickhandling and passing skills helped the Red Wings' renowned puck possession game. Datsyuk posted a +21 rating and was the club's top face-off man, posting a 56.2% winning percentage (702 of 1,249) -- his eighth consecutive season posting a win rate above 53%. Datsyuk has been voted a Selke finalist for the fifth consecutive year, matching the streaks of Montreal's Guy Carbonneau (1986 through 1990) and Bob Gainey (1978 through 1982) as the longest since the award was introduced in 1978.
History
The trophy was presented in 1977 by the National Hockey League Board of Governors in honor of Frank J. Selke, one of the great architects of Montreal and Toronto championship teams.
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The possibility of a 3-1 series deficit speaks for itself as to the motivation for the San Jose Sharks in Game 4 on Thursday night.
The Blues-Sharks first-round series has reached its first critical moment.
"We've got to win," Sharks captain Joe Thornton said Thursday morning after his team’s optional skate. "We’re down 2-1, and we need to win this home game. That’s the bottom line."
"It’s a big game, for sure," Sharks winger Martin Havlat added. "We just want to be better than we were the other night. I don’t think we played the way we wanted to."
The Blues, on the other hand, want to avoid making this a lengthy travel series, given the two time zones it involves.
"This is a huge game," said Blues center Scott Nichol, who knows all too well what his former team in San Jose is capable of. "We know it. We’ve addressed it. By far we’re not satisfied of where we’re at. We played well last game but we can be better."
The Sharks scored two goals late in Game 3 to make it closer at 4-3, which Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock was able to use as a tool over the last few days.
"It got their attention, it grounded us for the last two days," Hitchcock said Thursday morning after his team’s optional skate. "I think it’s one of the reasons why we had such a good practice yesterday. We were very good at practice yesterday and very focused. I think just the scare, especially for such a young team, is a great lesson in completing the task."
The Sharks had an optional skate Thursday morning, so with not all players on hand, it wasn’t clear if Wednesday’s new forward lines were still a go.
"Potentially," Sharks head coach Todd McLellan responded when asked if those line and lineup changes were a go. "We’ve got some options that we can use as far as injecting new people into the lineup (Brad Winchester, Michal Handzus), as well as shuffling lines around a little bit. We’re looking for a little more offensive zone sustained time in five-on-five situations, (and) a little more finish when we do get some opportunities. We’ll need that if we’re going to have any success."
It’s the playoffs, so the coach sometimes doesn’t want to tip his hand on lineup changes. Or perhaps McLellan wanted a bit more time to think about it before puck drop Thursday night.
But if Wednesday’s practice lines hold true, Patrick Marleau will go from first-line winger to second-line center. He’s flip-flopped from wing to center for a number of years now, so he’s fine with it.
"It probably started about five years ago, when I moved to wing," Marleau said Thursday morning. "It’s pretty frequent, in and out."
At center, Marleau feels he can stretch his legs a bit more and use his speed.
"You’re moving a lot more, I think, as opposed to standing on the boards," said Marleau. "I like it that way. You definitely feel like you’re in the playoff the whole time."
If these changes hold, it will see Logan Couture move up with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski, which presents a different challenge for the Blues.
"I think what gets your attention is when they load up a line," said Hitchcock. "When they load up a line, there’s risk on both sides. The risk is for them, can that line do the job and can everybody else cover up and take of business underneath that? The risk for us, is can we defend that line and not let them do that job. For me, it’s like putting Zetterberg and Datsyuk together. You think it looks good because there’s only one line to check but then they just dominate the game so much, you think it’s a real bad idea. So, I don’t know how this is going to work and if he’s going to stay with it, but it’s got our attention."
The Blues-Sharks first-round series has reached its first critical moment.
"We've got to win," Sharks captain Joe Thornton said Thursday morning after his team’s optional skate. "We’re down 2-1, and we need to win this home game. That’s the bottom line."
"It’s a big game, for sure," Sharks winger Martin Havlat added. "We just want to be better than we were the other night. I don’t think we played the way we wanted to."
The Blues, on the other hand, want to avoid making this a lengthy travel series, given the two time zones it involves.
"This is a huge game," said Blues center Scott Nichol, who knows all too well what his former team in San Jose is capable of. "We know it. We’ve addressed it. By far we’re not satisfied of where we’re at. We played well last game but we can be better."
The Sharks scored two goals late in Game 3 to make it closer at 4-3, which Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock was able to use as a tool over the last few days.
"It got their attention, it grounded us for the last two days," Hitchcock said Thursday morning after his team’s optional skate. "I think it’s one of the reasons why we had such a good practice yesterday. We were very good at practice yesterday and very focused. I think just the scare, especially for such a young team, is a great lesson in completing the task."
Marleau at Center
The Sharks had an optional skate Thursday morning, so with not all players on hand, it wasn’t clear if Wednesday’s new forward lines were still a go.
"Potentially," Sharks head coach Todd McLellan responded when asked if those line and lineup changes were a go. "We’ve got some options that we can use as far as injecting new people into the lineup (Brad Winchester, Michal Handzus), as well as shuffling lines around a little bit. We’re looking for a little more offensive zone sustained time in five-on-five situations, (and) a little more finish when we do get some opportunities. We’ll need that if we’re going to have any success."
It’s the playoffs, so the coach sometimes doesn’t want to tip his hand on lineup changes. Or perhaps McLellan wanted a bit more time to think about it before puck drop Thursday night.
But if Wednesday’s practice lines hold true, Patrick Marleau will go from first-line winger to second-line center. He’s flip-flopped from wing to center for a number of years now, so he’s fine with it.
"It probably started about five years ago, when I moved to wing," Marleau said Thursday morning. "It’s pretty frequent, in and out."
At center, Marleau feels he can stretch his legs a bit more and use his speed.
"You’re moving a lot more, I think, as opposed to standing on the boards," said Marleau. "I like it that way. You definitely feel like you’re in the playoff the whole time."
If these changes hold, it will see Logan Couture move up with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski, which presents a different challenge for the Blues.
"I think what gets your attention is when they load up a line," said Hitchcock. "When they load up a line, there’s risk on both sides. The risk is for them, can that line do the job and can everybody else cover up and take of business underneath that? The risk for us, is can we defend that line and not let them do that job. For me, it’s like putting Zetterberg and Datsyuk together. You think it looks good because there’s only one line to check but then they just dominate the game so much, you think it’s a real bad idea. So, I don’t know how this is going to work and if he’s going to stay with it, but it’s got our attention."
WHO'S DELIVERING THE CHECKS
Scott Burnside
Scott Burnside covers the NHL for ESPN.com. Before joining the website in 2005, he was a reporter for The Windsor Star and Toronto Sun. Burnside also co-authored the best-selling true crime book "Deadly Innocence."
• Follow on Twitter (@ESPN_Burnside)
Pierre LeBrun
Pierre LeBrun covers the NHL for ESPN.com, joining the website in Sept. 2008 after spending 13 years with The Canadian Press as its national hockey columnist. He is also a regular panelist for TSN of Canada.
• Follow on Twitter (@Real_ESPNLeBrun)
Craig Custance
Craig Custance joined ESPN in Sept. 2011 to cover the NHL for ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Insider and ESPN.com. Previously, he covered hockey for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and the Sporting News.
• Follow on Twitter (@CraigCustance)
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