Blackhawks return to earth against Vegas
Include Dallas Stars centre
Tyler Seguin among the people who had no idea Calgary Flames winger Milan Lucic was that good in the faceoff circle.
But he knows now, after Lucic went 11-for-16 (69 per cent) in Calgary’s Game 1 victory. Lucic also has five points and a fight in five games, for anyone who thought he couldn’t still be a force in the playoffs.
“Honestly, I was surprised with Looch in the draw,” said Seguin. “I had no clue he was a good faceoff man. He doesn’t do anything out of the ordinary, he’s just a strong guy.”
Seguin admits he glossed right over Lucic when studying the Calgary faceoff tapes.
“Before the first game, as a centre, you look at the other centres and I didn’t look at one Lucic draw. I’ll definitely have to do more homework.”
KILLING THE VIBE
Chicago Blackhawks centre Ryan Carpenter says a lack of crowd noise can be a factor in some of these post-season games and saw evidence of that early in the Edmonton series.
“I think we realized (in the qualifying round) when the Oilers scored first there really wasn’t a ton of momentum,” he said. “And we were quick to respond. It’s a bit different than if you were a home team and scored first you’d have the crowd and energy behind you.”
Carpenter and the Blackhawks did get a boost from their leaders, though. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith were instrumental in their first-round upset, on and off the ice.
“All these veterans have another level when it gets to the playoffs,” said Carpenter. “You see how focused and dialed in they are. These guys know how to win, they know what it takes to win.
“They not only get their own body and mind ready for the game, but they know how to get a team ready. They’ve been in these situations before and they find a way to elevate their game.”
NO SATISFACTION
The Toronto Maple Leafs were quick to discard Nazem Kadri after costly suspensions in backto-back playoff years, but the Colorado forward isn’t finding any joy in watching his former team explain its fourth consecutive first-round exit.
“It was a good series, it was fun to watch, that’s for sure,” he said of Toronto’s five-game loss to the Blue Jackets. “Columbus is a stingy team. A lot of people understood that coming into the series.
“For me I would have liked to see them get past the Blue Jackets, but it’s playoff hockey, anything can happen, and that series definitely showed that.”
WALKING TALL
The Colorado Avalanche are considered one of the Stanley Cup favourites this year, a distinction that head coach Jared Bednar wants his club to embrace.
“I think it’s worth a lot because it’s something our guys have earned, they’ve earned that reputation,” he said. “If we handle it the right way it doesn’t change (their mindset) at all.
“As long as we’re not believing too much of what we believe in the print and what we see on social media, and it stays about the process and how we conduct our business, then I think it puts us in a really good spot to have success.”
BLACK ACES
With the NHL allowing 31 players per team into the quarantine bubble, each club has a squad of
Black Aces — extras who practice every day knowing they might never see a shift in the playoffs.
But they still have to prepare themselves in case they’re thrown into a last-minute situation that can decide that team’s season.
“We have a taxi squad of five forwards, three or four defencemen and a goaltender,” said
Vegas coach Pete Deboer.
“They’re basically on the same schedule as us. They participate in all our team meetings and events. The only difference, really, is we have two hours of ice time blocked and the game group will use the first hour and the taxi squad will use the second.”
In a tournament that can last over two months, Deboer knows that more than a few of those Aces will be counted on to step in and fill an important spot.
“We’re going to need those guys,” he said. “We’re going to dig into that group sooner than later because of injuries and different things. I’m very comfortable with all those guys that they’ll be ready to come in and contribute when we call on them.”
SHIFT DISTURBER
Somebody on the Vegas zoom call asked winger Nick Cousins about being a “poop disturber” who still has enough skill to make decent high end plays.
He says both parts of his game come naturally.
“You can call it pest, somebody other teams hate to play against, a rat, even,” he said.
“But, at the same time, I’ve always been able to make plays. Coming through Junior I was an offensive guy, even in the American League as well. I can sub in on the power play if they need me. I’ve always been able to make plays.
“I think it’s a confidence thing. When I’m confident, moving my feet and making plays, that’s usually when I’m at my best … and chirping.”