NEWARK, N.J. -- Mike Richards emerged from the visitors' dressing room today after the Kings' morning skate knowing it was just a matter of time before emotions run high between Los Angeles and New Jersey in the Stanley Cup final. The intensity level could increase tonight in Game Two.
The Kings and Devils were tentative and might have shown too much respect for one another, which made for a forgettable opener. Neither team wanted to make a mistake and came out flat in the first period before gradually picking up the pace. All it takes is one cheap shot, Richards said, and it will turn into an emotional series.
"In the second period, it started to heat up," Richards said. "As the series goes on, you expect what you expect and get that little hatred for some of their players out there. A couple hits that you might not like or you don't think is clean, you start getting that hatred and it builds from there.''
Richards played for the Flyers in 2009-10, when they lost to the Blackhawks on Patrick Kane's overtime winner in Game Six. Philly and Chicago quickly grew to despise one another and has passionate fans supporting them, which made for an intense series. Devils fans were excited Wednesday but not nearly to the same degree.
One reason is the two teams hadn't played one another since October. The Devils were the first team the Kings faced after opening the season with two games in Europe. Players on both sides barely remember the games. They shouldn't have any problem this time around.
"Within the conference, you play each other four times," Richards said. "There's always one or two plays that you don't really like that you go into a series thinking about one guy or one play. It's been a while since we played each other. We're not very familiar with them. It's different when you don't have that hatred for one another, where you're trying to take his head off with a clean hit."
--- Bucky Gleason
NEWARK, N.J. -- Devils coach Peter DeBoer confirmed after their morning workout that he's not making any personnel changes tonight for Game Two of the Stanley Cup final. There was speculation he might tweak his lineup after the Kings won the first game in overtime.
DeBoer hinted that former Sabres defenseman Henrik Tallinder, who has been sidelined since Jan. 17 with a blood clot behind his left knee, could be inserted at some point. Tallinder was a top two defenseman but played only 39 games during the regular season. He has been skating for nearly three weeks after getitng medical clearance.
"You might see him if as the series goes forward here," DeBoer said.
DeBoer confirmed Tallinder will travel with the Devils to Los Angeles for the third and fourth games of the series, which raised questions about whether flying would be a concern. Blood clots have been associated with sitting for long stretches, which is common when you travel.
"Sure, you worry about it," DeBoer said. "Our doctors and trainers and him have a comfort level or he wouldn't be travelling with us. It's definitely an issue. I think a lot of people point to airplane flight as a cause for that."
--- Bucky Gleason
NEWARK, N.J. -- Kings center Mike Richards has deep respect for coach Darryl Sutter and his work in turning Los Angeles into a contender after taking over for Terry Murray, but there's no disputing that Sutter has can irritate players when they don't meet his expectations.
Murray was popular with players but some didn't think he was tough enough when it came to disciplining them. Sutter will never be accused of being too soft. He has little patience and a reputation for unleashing his wrath when he sees sloppy play, particularly turnovers in the defensive zone.
There were nights in which Richards wanted to snap back at him on the bench but kept his mouth shut. Now, he understand Sutter's barking.
"On the bench, he’s an intense guy," Richards said. "He wants to get every single drop out of you, and that’s what you want. It’s not good to have an off night. It’s something you have to push and drive through. Some nights, you might be grinding your teeth at him, but at the end of the day, you know he’s trying to get the best out of you. You can’t expect anything more from a coach."
You can't argue with the results, either. The Kings had struggled for much of the season before coming together in the playoffs. They had struggled to score goals under Murray. Sutter has them scoring more without compromising a sound defensive system they played under Murray.
Their style and goaltender Jonathan Quick have contributed to the Kings' 13-2 record in the postseason and 1-0 series lead in the Stanley Cup final going into Game Two tomorrow night in the Prudential Center. The Kings have won all nine road games in the postseason, a record.
"He gives you free reign to do what you need to do on the ice," Richards said. "Everybody is here for a reason. They have the skill set to make some plays. If you see it, make it. Just make sure it’s not a turnover going the other way because you’re definitely going to hear about it."
--- Bucky Gleason
The Sabres have decided to part with three members of their 2010 draft class, sending the trio of forwards back into this year’s pool of draft-eligible players.
Buffalo declined to offer contracts to center Steven Shipley and wingers Gregg Sutch and Cedrick Henley by today’s deadline. The Sabres selected Shipley in the fourth round, Sutch in the fifth and Henley in the sixth.
All three skaters played in the Canadian junior leagues, which meant the Sabres had two years to sign them. They declined. All three can be re-selected by any team during the NHL draft being held June 22-23 in Pittsburgh.
Buffalo picked nine players in 2010 and has signed five: defensemen Mark Pysyk, Jerome Gauthier-Leduc and Matt MacKenzie, and forwards Kevin Sundher and Riley Boychuk. Seventh-round selection Christian Isackson, a freshman at the University of Minnesota, doesn’t need to be signed until he completes his collegiate career.
Shipley, a 6-foot-3, 212-pound center, had the best numbers of the three players not signed. He recorded 22 goals and 27 assists in 63 games with Niagara of the Ontario Hockey League, and he added five goals and nine points in 20 playoff games. However, there have been questions about his compete level.
Sutch is the most well-known of the trio because of his off-the-ice triumphs. Born with a severe hearing disability, the 6-2, 201-pound grinder reads lips and uses hearing aids while skating. He battled through numerous injuries throughout his junior career. He finished with nine goals and 21 points in 57 games with Barrie of the OHL, then put up two goals, three points and 16 penalty minutes in 10 playoff games.
Henley, 6-5 and 196 pounds, had 13 goals and 39 points in 53 games with Val d’Or of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He also had one goal and two assists in four postseason appearances.
If they are not picked this month, the Sabres could elect to bring them to training camp in the fall as free agents. The last draft pick the Sabres chose not to sign was defenseman Jordon Southorn, a fourth-round selection in 2008.
The most infamous players sent back into the draft pool by Buffalo were Dennis Wideman (eighth round, 2002) and Mike Zigomanis (second round, 1999). Wideman was an All-Star for the Washington Capitals this season. Zigomanis is notable because he was released following a deadline/fax machine mistake with his contract.
---John Vogl
NEWARK, N.J. -- Devils winger Ilya Kovalchuk emerged after practice today, marking the first time anybody noticed him since he had scored one goal and set up another when they knocked out the Rangers in the conference finals.
Kovalchuk was virtually absent Wednesday night against the Kings in Game One of the Stanley Cup final and was unavailable for comment a day later. He had a heavy dose of Kings defenseman Drew Doughty and record just one shot on goal over 21 minutes of ice time.
"The last game we didn’t win, so I feel bad," Kovalchuk said today. "I didn’t create much. If we would win, then I’ll feel great."
New Jersey is going to need its star winger, who signed a 15-year contract worth $100 million before last season, if they plan to beat the Kings. Kovalchuk had 37 goals and 83 points this season and has seven goals and 18 points in 18 postseason games.The Devils are 6-1 in the postseason when he scores a goal.
He expect to see more of Doughty, the best two-way defenseman on the two remaining teams. Doughty played more than 28 minutes and was on the ice against Kovalchuk every time the Kings had a chance to match their defense pairings with the Devils' lines.
"I don’t think that was a part of that," Kovalchuk said. "[I] don’t take anything away from him, he’s a good defenceman, but I played against some good ‘Ds’ and found a way how to go through them. There are some things I’m supposed to do so that’s what I try, to do them the next game."
--- Bucky Gleason
NEWARK, N.J. -- The Kings were bemoaning the fact they were nowhere near their best in Game One but still came away with an overtime victory in the Stanley Cup final. They expect to play better, but they're also bracing for the Devils to come with much more than they showed in the opener.
“Nobody wants to be down 2-0 whether you’re on the road or at home, either way," Kings goalie Jonathan Quick said. "They’re going to come out and fight hard. We have to bring the game we know we can bring. We didn’t bring it last night. I don’t think they brought theirs either. The pace is going to be a little quicker, and it’s going to be more physical.”
New Jersey was uncharacteristically flat early in the game and afterward blamed nerves for slowing them down through the first two periods. Los Angeles spent the first 40 minutes trying to gain their legs after an eight-day layoff between series. Both teams played better in the third period, which should carry over into Saturday's game.
The Kings' success largely has come from getting strong starts. Los Angeles has been tied or in the league seven times during their nine game winning streak on the road. The Kings have a 7-1 record overall when scoring the first goal, which they did last night. But they also have played well late in games, outscoring their opponents, 16-4, in the third period and overtime.
"I thought they played as hard as anybody we’ve seen in the playoffs so far," Kings center Jeff Carter said. "They have a great forecheck, they get on you quick and they have a lot of speed up front. They provide a lot of pressure. I expect them to be better next game, too. I expect the next game to be ramped up a little more."
--- Bucky Gleason
The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame will introduce 14 new members Wednesday, and longtime Sabres play-by-play announcer Rick Jeanneret will headline the list.
Jeanneret, the longest-tenured announcer in the NHL, has been working Sabres games since the 1971-72 season. He will speak on behalf of the hall's 22nd induction class at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the First Niagara Center atrium.
Therese Forton-Barnes, the board president, will announce the 14-member class of former athletes, administrators and coaches.
The Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame began in 1991 and will bring its total membership to 254. Four of this year's 14 will be inducted posthumously as part of the Pride of Western New York.
---John Vogl
Twitter.com/BuffNewsVogl
NEWARK, N.J. -- Old friend Henrik Tallinder spoke about countryman Nicklas Lidstrom with reverence this afternoon after the Red Wings legend retired this morning after 20 seasons. Lidstrom was the standard for all Swedes, particularly defensemen.
"He’s been an icon in Sweden for so long," Tallinder said. "Two decades is a long time playing in the best league in the world. The things he has accomplished is remarkable. In my eyes, he’s the best Swedish player we had over here. No offense to [Peter] Forsberg and [Mats] Sundin, but with four Stanley Cups and seven Norris Trophies, that says it all."
Lidstrom was one of the classiest players I've ever been around in any sport. The way he carried himself and the respect he had for the game and the people around him will stand out as much as anything he accomplished on the ice. Lidstrom played 1,564 games and had 264 goals and 1,142 points in his career. He'll be inducted into the Hall of Fame with no questions asked.
“For me, growing up, he wasn’t my biggest idol because I was too young," Tallinder said. "Once he started to make it in this league, who doesn’t look up to him? He’s an icon and everyone wants to be like him, play like him, offensively, defensively, you name it. He does it all.
"Just watching him play is almost like – I think you described it once – is almost like a symphony.”
I did? Not exactly, but it's remarkable what players remember sometimes. Even I had to look it up.
Tallinder was referencing a column from May 2009 -- more than three years ago -- about the Red Wings in which I wrote, "Nobody is better than Detroit at its best. The Wings aren't a machine, but a symphony, an art form to be appreciated." It was about the Red Wings, but the same could be said about Lidstrom. They were one in the same.
Tallinder, by the way, is anxious to get into the lineup in the Stanley Cup finals. He's back to full strength after suffering from a scary blood clot behind his left knee that limited him to only 39 games. He researched the damage a blood clot could cause and had fears it could travel to his heart, which could be fatal. He has been skating for a while and is ready to play if called upon.
"I'm good," he said. "I'm ready. I don't know. The coach [Peter DeBoer] has to make the call, but I feel physically fine. I don't have any issues. I've been practicing for two or three weeks now and feel good. If I get the chance, it's a dream come true. This is where you want to play."
Tallinder laughed when I told him Sabres owner Terry Pegula suggested his and Toni Lydman's departure in 2010 was more devastating than when Chris Drury and Daniel Briere split town in 2007. He hadn't heard Pegula thought so highly of him.
"That's a compliment, but that's B.S.," Tallinder said. "When we lost Danny and Dru, that was a kick in the butt. That's where we lost it. Nothing against Pegula, but that's where Buffalo lost a lot as a city and as a team."
--- Bucky Gleason
NEWARK, N.J. -- The Devils found a hungry and well-coached but underskilled team in Florida in the first round, a battered but talented team with weak goaltending in Philadelphia in the second round and a deep and disciplined but low-scoring team in the Rangers in the third round in the postseason.
The Devils today were saying the Kings were a different beast because they have all the best qualities of their first three opponents and very few weaknesses. Los Angeles is fast and physical, balanced and deep, and they have the goaltending to match any they faced so far in the playoffs.
"They’re a different team than the Rangers and the other teams we’ve faced so far," rookie center Adam Henrique said after the Devils lost, 2-1, in overtime in Game One. "They bring a little bit of all those teams into one. They’re a deep team. They have puck-moving defensemen and solid goaltending, but that’s to be expected. They’re here for a reason. We need to focus on our game and how we need to play. There’s a lot of room for improvement on our side."
The Devils took comfort knowing they pushed Game One into overtime despite playing poorly in the first two periods. They admitted being nervous in the first period and sloppy in the second. The good news for them was that they still had a chance to win. They missed several opportunities in the game that would have changed the outcome, and the complex of the series, had they converted.
"We didn’t play our best," forward Travis Zajac said. "We were a little nervous in the first period, a little tentative. You could see that. We weren’t making plays. We were throwing the puck away a little too much, and we weren’t moving our feet and getting in on the forecheck like we usually do. We felt me missed an opportunity."
The Devils did not skate today as a team. Instead, they took the day off and will resume workouts tomorrow in preparation for Game Two on Saturday night in a game they desperately need. The team that loses the first game in the Stanley Cup final has lost the series 76 percent of the time. New Jersey lost the first game against Philadelphia and the Rangers before storming back to win both series.
"One of the areas that's cropped up in every round is we've been a little tentative in the first game, kind of felt our way and then jumped in with both feet in Game Two," Devils coach Peter DeBoer said. "I think that's hopefully what we'll do here again."
--- Bucky Gleason
NEWARK, N.J. -- Anze Kopitar has scored 20 goals in each of his six NHL seasons, so he knew what to do tonight when he found himself with a breakaway against Devils goalie Martin Brodeur. He faked Brodeur to the ice and lifted a shot past the fallen goaltender.
The result was a 2-1 overtime victory over the Devils in Game One of the Stanley Cup finals. The eighth-seeded Kings assumed command for the fourth straight series with the win. They have won nine straight road games in the postseason and earned the split they wanted when they arrived in Newark.
"It feels great," Kopitar said afterward. "Any time you get a chance to finish off a game in overtime, especially against a world-class goalie like Marty, it feels good."
Kopitar busted loose after drifting toward center ice and accepting a blind pass from Justin Williams that landed right on his tape. Colin Fraser also scored for the Kings. Anton Volchenkov was given credit for the Devils goal after his shot bounced off Slava Voynov and landed behind Jonathan Quick.
If you didn’t have a rooting interest, the game Wednesday could have been mistaken for a Wednesday night game in November. OK, so there were a few big hits and scoring chances, but little would have told you they were playing for the Cup other than the clutching and grabbing allowed by the officials.
"There wasn’t much going on offensively for either team," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "It’s tight quarters out there. I think both teams would say that."
Game Two is set for 8 p.m. Saturday in the Prudential Center.
--- Bucky Gleason
