Just in the Niku of time

Patrik Laine had modest expectations of fellow Finn Sami Niku on Friday.

“He has one game, one goal,” Laine said. “So you have to think he’s going to score if he plays.”

Laine may have been joking.

But Niku, the rookie defenceman, says he expects to contribute on offence immediately, if he gets the call to replace the suspended Josh

Morrissey for his first playoff game.

“Yeah, I think so,” Niku said. “I’m an offensive defenceman. It’s my job. So I can make offence.”

He did in his NHL debut, scoring a goal on his first shot against the Canadiens in Montreal, early this month.

Coach Paul Maurice says he’ll have a simple message for the smooth 21-yearold, if he plays.

“What are you good at? And make sure you have the confidence to bring that,” Maurice said. “We wouldn’t (be) looking for him to go out and decide to be a grinder, now.”

Confidence isn’t an issue for Niku any more than skill is.

His main challenge might be to limit high-risk plays that would work in the minors, but not in an NHL playoff game.

“Doesn’t seem to be overly phased by the stage,” Maurice said. “It’s a good thing. Run the right risk.”

Teammate Bryan Little compares Niku’s demeanour to that of Laine.

“He’s got that confidence that if he gets in, he can go out there and not just play, but make a difference. It’s better to have that than to be scared to be put in.”