ST. LOUIS, MO – The symphony known as the St. Louis Blues gained eight new notes selected from eligible talent at the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft.   While each of these players will not wear St. Louis jerseys for at least several years, the need to stock up on available talent which will be developed over time is absolutely necessary in order to sustain team competitiveness over time.
 
Until the 2011-12 season, the St. Louis effort to scout and draft talent-rich prospects was taking a very long time to impact the parent club.   This was the result after not replenishing talented players allowed to leave for free agency or traded to provide immediate help.   Now the Blues are continually adding to their prospect base and the active cycle is providing assets by which to develop or trade if the team is close to making a championship run.
                    
Due to their success in the regular season and moderate advance through the playoffs before being stopped by eventual champion Los Angeles, the Blues first pick was at number 25.   With this selection, St. Louis chose Wisconsin-native Jordan Schmaltz who stands tall at 6-2 and 189 lbs. on the blue line for the USHL’s Green Bay Bobcats.
 
The rugged defenseman appeared in Sioux City to start the season before moving on to Green Bay.   In 48 games, Schmaltz registered 9 goals and 23 assists for 32 points and 27 penalty minutes.   He led all USHL defenseman in scoring.
 
Known as a player who relies on his game intelligence and excels at puck control and using his stick to defend first, Schamltz is not known for his physical play, but is expected to fill out his tall frame by bulking up over the next few years and when he does, it should be a scary sight.
 
Schmaltz is committed to play at the University of North Dakota next season, a school where his father and uncles played football and hockey respectively.   His puck rushing prowess will eventually add to an already potent attack with St. Louis, an emerging team currently benefitting from the presence of Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk leading the backline attack.
 
The other seven selections began at number 56 with forward Sam Kurker from St. John’s Prep in Massachusetts.   At 6-2 and 20 lbs., Kurker combines size with a clever set of hands and is comfortable engaging opponents in the physical game.   He can score from anywhere on the ice including from within ten feet in front of the net where he establishes position in front of the goal.   In 24 games, he netted 32 goals and 28 assists to lead an impressive squad.
 
At number 67, St. Louis selected Mackenzie MacEachern, a left wing from Brother Rice High School in Michigan.   In 29 games, the 603, 183 lb. winger gained 42 goals and 48 assists.   Despite his size, MacEachern does not necessarily play a physical game currently, but once he fills out, he could be a formidable power.   He has just recently appeared on the radar in his rapidly ascending journey toward a hockey career.
 
At number 86, the Blues added their second defenseman in Colton Parayko.   The 6-3, 181 lb. backliner played a prominent role with Fort McMurray in the Alberta Junior Hockey League contributing 9 goals and 33 assists in 53 games.   While Parayko has some detriments with his long, awkward skating stride, he uses his size to his advantage.   He can work on the skating in the coming year now that he knows he is considered a future contributor.
 
St. Louis continued adding defenseman at number 116 when they selected Nicholas Walters from Everett of the Western Hockey League.   In Walter, St. Louis found a tough, physical defenseman who plays with an edge.   In 62 games with the Silvertips, Walters added six goals and 12 assists and a whopping 95 penalty minutes.   Walters enjoys finishing his checks with enthusiasm.   While you will not see him handle the puck a great deal, you will see him making room for opponents and making it difficult to come close to the net.
 
At number 146, St. Louis added a netminder to their already solid pipeline in goal.   From the Val d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Blues selected Francois Tremblay.   At 6-2, 195 lbs., he registered a 22-28-4 season, 3.79 goals against average and 0.882 save percentage while appearing in 57 games.   While these numbers alone will not impress, his potential due to his size, athleticism, flexibility and raw talent make him attractive.   He has more to prove in the coming season after reaching the QMJHL with such hype preceding his arrival.
 
St. Louis finished drafting defensemen when they selected Petteri Lindbohm with the number 176 puck.   The left-hand shot from Jokerit in the Finish Jr. League is 6-3, 209 lbs.   He appeared in 41 games tallying three goals and seven assists.   He is a strong defensive defenseman with an aggressive streak, but his upside remains somewhat limited.
 
With their final section and the 206^th puck, the Blues selected Tyrel Seaman, a center from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League.   In 32 games, he scored six goals and thirteen assists.   The 602, 207 lb. left-hand shot has endured a series of concussions after starting the season on pace for a breakout campaign.   He is a solid two-way player with tremendous work ethic and hustle and could eventually be a force.
 
With a solid pipeline of prospect on pace developmentally and a replenishment of talent from the 2012 draft, the Blues are well on their way to icing a consistently solid team with competitiveness each and every season.   Having this bench strength long-term will continue to allow the Blues to write beautiful music as the next few seasons unfold.
 
Contact:         dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com
 
Follow me on Twitter at DMMORRELL
 

ST. LOUIS, MO – The symphony known as the St. Louis Blues gained eight new notes selected from eligible talent at the 2012 National Hockey League Entry Draft.   While each of these players will not wear St. Louis jerseys for at least several years, the need to stock up on available talent which will be developed over time is absolutely necessary in order to sustain team competitiveness over time.
 
Until the 2011-12 season, the St. Louis effort to scout and draft talent-rich prospects was taking a very long time to impact the parent club.   This was the result after not replenishing talented players allowed to leave for free agency or traded to provide immediate help.   Now the Blues are continually adding to their prospect base and the active cycle is providing assets by which to develop or trade if the team is close to making a championship run.
 
Due to their success in the regular season and moderate advance through the playoffs before being stopped by eventual champion Los Angeles, the Blues first pick was at number 25.   With this selection, St. Louis chose Wisconsin-native Jordan Schmaltz who stands tall at 6-2 and 189 lbs. on the blue line for the USHL’s Green Bay Bobcats.
 
The rugged defenseman appeared in Sioux City to start the season before moving on to Green Bay.   In 48 games, Schmaltz registered 9 goals and 23 assists for 32 points and 27 penalty minutes.   He led all USHL defenseman in scoring.
 
Known as a player who relies on his game intelligence and excels at puck control and using his stick to defend first, Schamltz is not known for his physical play, but is expected to fill out his tall frame by bulking up over the next few years and when he does, it should be a scary sight.
 
Schmaltz is committed to play at the University of North Dakota next season, a school where his father and uncles played football and hockey respectively.   His puck rushing prowess will eventually add to an already potent attack with St. Louis, an emerging team currently benefitting from the presence of Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk leading the backline attack.
 
The other seven selections began at number 56 with forward Sam Kurker from St. John’s Prep in Massachusetts.   At 6-2 and 20 lbs., Kurker combines size with a clever set of hands and is comfortable engaging opponents in the physical game.   He can score from anywhere on the ice including from within ten feet in front of the net where he establishes position in front of the goal.   In 24 games, he netted 32 goals and 28 assists to lead an impressive squad.
 
At number 67, St. Louis selected Mackenzie MacEachern, a left wing from Brother Rice High School in Michigan.   In 29 games, the 603, 183 lb. winger gained 42 goals and 48 assists.   Despite his size, MacEachern does not necessarily play a physical game currently, but once he fills out, he could be a formidable power.   He has just recently appeared on the radar in his rapidly ascending journey toward a hockey career.
 
At number 86, the Blues added their second defenseman in Colton Parayko.   The 6-3, 181 lb. backliner played a prominent role with Fort McMurray in the Alberta Junior Hockey League contributing 9 goals and 33 assists in 53 games.   While Parayko has some detriments with his long, awkward skating stride, he uses his size to his advantage.   He can work on the skating in the coming year now that he knows he is considered a future contributor.
 
St. Louis continued adding defenseman at number 116 when they selected Nicholas Walters from Everett of the Western Hockey League.   In Walter, St. Louis found a tough, physical defenseman who plays with an edge.   In 62 games with the Silvertips, Walters added six goals and 12 assists and a whopping 95 penalty minutes.   Walters enjoys finishing his checks with enthusiasm.   While you will not see him handle the puck a great deal, you will see him making room for opponents and making it difficult to come close to the net.
 
At number 146, St. Louis added a netminder to their already solid pipeline in goal.   From the Val d’Or Foreurs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, the Blues selected Francois Tremblay.   At 6-2, 195 lbs., he registered a 22-28-4 season, 3.79 goals against average and 0.882 save percentage while appearing in 57 games.   While these numbers alone will not impress, his potential due to his size, athleticism, flexibility and raw talent make him attractive.   He has more to prove in the coming season after reaching the QMJHL with such hype preceding his arrival.
 
St. Louis finished drafting defensemen when they selected Petteri Lindbohm with the number 176 puck.   The left-hand shot from Jokerit in the Finish Jr. League is 6-3, 209 lbs.   He appeared in 41 games tallying three goals and seven assists.   He is a strong defensive defenseman with an aggressive streak, but his upside remains somewhat limited.
 
With their final section and the 206^th puck, the Blues selected Tyrel Seaman, a center from the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League.   In 32 games, he scored six goals and thirteen assists.   The 602, 207 lb. left-hand shot has endured a series of concussions after starting the season on pace for a breakout campaign.   He is a solid two-way player with tremendous work ethic and hustle and could eventually be a force.
 
With a solid pipeline of prospect on pace developmentally and a replenishment of talent from the 2012 draft, the Blues are well on their way to icing a consistently solid team with competitiveness each and every season.   Having this bench strength long-term will continue to allow the Blues to write beautiful music as the next few seasons unfold.
 
Contact:         dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com
 
Follow me on Twitter at DMMORRELL
 

ST. LOUIS, MO – After a slow start to their season and a coaching change in December, the St. Louis Blues ended the 2011-12 regular season with the second best point total in franchise history. The Blues head into the 2012 NHL Entry Draft with higher expectations and a lower than usual draft position in the first round, the 25^th overall selection.   St. Louis ended the regular season with the 21^st ranked offense, but had the league’s top rated defense. They were the 19^th rated power play and the 7^th rated penalty killing unit. The Blues had only two players with more than 20 goals in David Backes (24) and David Perron (21), but had seven other players with at least 10 goals.  Left winger Alexander Steen led the team in plus/minus (+24) and Kevin Shattenkirk led all of the blueliners (+20).   The Blues head into the draft with very few wingers in terms of top prospects with the exception of newly signed Vladamir Tarasenko, a right winger.  The rest of their top prospects are made up of centers and defenseman.  Still, the draft is deep on both wings and a very good crop of talent will be made available when the Blues pick at 25.  
 
For a St. Louis Blues team which turned the corner in early 2011, the selection of Stefan Matteau with the 25^th overall pick in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft would continue a trend to acquire talented, unique pieces which will serve distinct roles and fill the cupboard with potential impact players.  The long-term Blues depth just got bulkier and more physical with this selection.
 
His father, Stephane Matteau, had a twelve-year career (1990-2002) which included a season and a half in St. Louis.  His tenure wearing the bluenote sweater came after his first Stanley Cup appearance with the Chicago Blackhawks, where Stefan was born, and his second and final Stanley Cup appearance with the New York Rangers in 1994.  Matteau ended his career with the San Jose Sharks.
 
Stefan played with the USA developmental team in the United States Hockey League (USHL) dressing in 46 games this season and registering 15 goals, 32 points and 166 penalty minutes.  He was disqualified for playing for USA in the under-18 world championships due to an eligibility issue which was based on the fact Matteau hadn’t played two consecutive seasons in the U.S. after the age of 10. 
Although Matteau spent his first nine years in the U.S., he was living in Canada when he joined the U.S. program in March 2010.  However, he didn’t play a game for the team until September in that year.
“It’s mind-boggling,” Matteau’s agent, Pat Brisson said.  “This has never happened before.  I want to dig a little bit deeper.  Why take this opportunity from this kid who was born in the U.S. and has been part of the U.S. program for a year and a half?  I feel bad for Stefan.” 
Still, Matteau has persevered and scouts have noticed. When asked to describe himself, Matteau said the following
“I’m a big-bodied power forward, have a lot of skill and a good shot and I play with an edge.  Some teams like that, and I like to bring an all-round solid game.”
Ranked 30^th in The Hockey News Draft Preview, one scout said of him, “He has all the tools to be a quote-unquote power forward.  There are enough tools in his game that when he gets that consistency, he can be very, very effective.”
Scouts expect him to succeed more in junior than in the U.S. NTDP because of his physical play.  This past season, it appeared Matteau’s physical play was more of a determinant than an asset.  “He took a lot of dumb, selfish penalties.  He’s definitely more a junior-style player than a college player.  He’d be in the box all game long in college.”
Matteau was originally committed to play NCAA hockey at the University of North Dakota, but has since dropped out of that commitment and announced he will be joining the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL where his father is an assistant coach
The 6-foot-1.5, 210-pound center is one of four players from the USNTDP to be ranked by NHL Central Scouting among the top 30 North American skaters eligible for the 2012 Draft. Along with T.J. Oshie, the Blues could really have a nice one-two punch to battle for NL supremacy in the coming years. At next Friday’s entry draft, expect to hear the following announcement. “With the 25^th overall pick of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, the St. Louis Blues select, from the USA development program, Stefan Matteau.”
To learn more about Stefan Matteau click here .
Contact the author at: dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com
 
Contact the photographer at Lewis.Bleiman@prohockeynews.com
Follow me on Twitter at DMMORRELL

NEWARK, NJ – With no room for error in order to remain alive in the Stanley Cup Final, the New Jersey Devils took advantage of several newly discovered weaknesses in the Los Angeles Kings defense to win 2-1 in Game Five to send the series back to the West Coast.   The Devils brought much more traffic in front of Los Angeles goaltender Jonathan Quick and applied a relentless pressure that seemed to unnerve the usually controlled Kings star.
 
Led by veteran goaltenders Martin Brodeur who stopped 25 of 26 shots and Zack Parise who scored the game’s first goal, the Devils continued their march to become the first team since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs to overcome a 3-0 deficit to win the Stanley Cup.   The continued high-level of play from Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador on both the defensive and offensive sides of the puck was critical to the New Jersey victory as well.   Salvador scored the game-winning goal.
 
With a packed house which had been generating pent up energy leading up to game time, the game began with a fierce pace right from the start with speed and force displayed from end to end by both teams.   Despite the roaring sounds of 17,625 at the Prudential Center, the sound of colliding players being pounded along the glass could be heard.  
 
The Kings came within a whisker of making their mark first.   Just two minutes into the game, Los Angeles forward Justin Williams streaked down the left side and sent a wrist shot past Brodeur that clanged off the right post bouncing out of danger.   It was a sign of things to come as the Kings were bringing their best effort early and nearly.
 
A little more than five minutes in, Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur made a clearing attempt that sailed high into the Kings zone toward Kings defenseman Dustin Brown, but he collided with another Kings player during the follow-through.   The fallen Brodeur had to quickly recover to stop Brown’s attempt to score while he was down on the ice.
 
At the seven-minute mark during a race to waive off icing, Kings forward Jeff Carter nearly gave Los Angeles the early lead when he found the puck behind the net near the right post.   As Brodeur hugged the left post, Carter attempted to jam it into the open side, but was denied when Brodeur slid across the goal line with his right pad for the save.
 
One of the better chances for the Devils came at the eight-minute mark when Petr Sykora fed Danius Zubrus up ice.   Zubrus sent a pass to a streaking Patrick Elias who was tied up on the play and was slammed hard into the end boards.   The inured Elias took several minutes to recover to his feet after the whistle.   No penalty was called on the play.
 
With pressure mounting from the Los Angeles attack, Brodeur had to be at his finest midway through the period.   That’s when Jordan Nolan fired two shots from in close.   Both were turned aside by Brodeur.   Less than a minute later, Brodeur stopped Colin Fraser from close range.   The frustration of delivering so much firepower led to frustration by the Kings and the first penalty of the game, a two-minute minor to Willie Mitchell for interference.
 
The Devils loaded up their power play and put pressure on the Kings defense, but it wasn’t a worthy attack that ended up delivering the game’s first goal.   With the puck sliding near the end line, Quick came out to play it.   His attempt at firing the puck behind the goal was met with doom when the clearing attempt when off the heel of his stick.
 
A speeding Zack Parise pursued the errant puck, put it on his stick blade and jammed it into the open side before Quick could slide his left pad across the goalmouth.   The Devils had the first goal and an early lead.   It was Parise’s first of the series and eighth of the playoffs.   The Devils captain was having an impact throughout the period and his persistence paid off.
 
The Kings buzzed Brodeur the remainder of the period looking to tie the game.   A clever drive from Jarret Stoll was one of the most dangerous efforts, but Brodeur turned him aside.   A minute later, a key defensive play from Danius Zubrus to disrupt a centering pass ensured the Devils would enter the first intermission with a 1-0 lead.
 
The Kings outshot New Jersey 7-4 in the period, but New Jersey held the edge in hits 13-10, a testament to the increased physical play that proved helpful in Game Four and seems to be a key to the Devils turnaround in the series.
 
Los Angeles, having outplayed the Devils in the first period, but having nothing to show for it, finally gained something for their efforts just over three minutes into the second period.
 
With a quick transition play up ice, Justin Williams crossed center ice and headed across the Devils line while Los Angeles captain Dustin Brown went straight to the goal.   Brown waited for the right time to provide a momentary screen in front of Brodeur as Willliams sent a wrister through a mass of bodies and into the net to tie the game.   It was Williams fourth goal of the playoffs and brought Los Angeles back into the game.
 
Less than a minute later, Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov stepped up on a play leaving Kings left wing Dustin Penner to accept a pass behind the New Jersey defense.   It almost proved costly to the Devils.   Penner skated in on Brodeur firing a wrist shot the Devils goaltender barely got a piece of before it caromed into the corner.
 
The Kings continued to press when Jarret Stoll accepted a long pass to enter the Devils zone on a breakaway.   New Jersey winger Stephen Gionta tried desperately to interrupt the effort, before Brodeur stood his ground and smothered the rebound.
 
A minute later, the physical play started getting the better of the Kings.   Kings captain Dustin Brown was pounded first by Ilya Kovalchuk along the boards and seconds later by David Clarkson.   The weary Brown skated to his bench dazed and certainly aware the Devils were outhitting the Kings at this point and turning the momentum of the game.
 
That momentum was helped by Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador who continued his stepped-up play.   Salvador first fired a shot from the left point toward the Los Angeles net that Quick smartly turned aside.   The puck was corralled by Ponikarovsky who slid it over to the right point to a waiting Travis Zajac to avert danger.   Zajac continued the cycle and sent the puck Salvador who sent a drive that found its way through several players before finding the back of the Kings goal.  
 
The Devils had regained the lead 2-1.   For Salvador, it was his fourth goal of the playoffs and fourteenth point.   Salvador is second on the Devils in plus minus at +10.
 
The lead almost didn’t last, though.   Just thirty seconds after Salvavdor’s go-ahead goal, Mark Fayne attempted to clear the puck out of the New Jersey zone and did so by sending it over the glass drawing a two-minute delay of game penalty.   Los Angeles gained their first power play of the night.
 
The Kings nearly tied it when Justin Williams fired a shot on net which Brodeur confidently handled.   The rebound popped up into the air where Kings center Jeff Carter swung and struck the puck in mid-air firing into the Devils goal.   Officials ruled no goal almost immediately as it was hit with the high stick, but checked to validate their decision and eventually sent the face-off outside the zone with the Devils lead still intact.
 
The Devils continued to press for a two-goal lead, but Quick saved his best save of the period for Devils forward Ryan Carter.   With the puck behind the Kings goal, Devils winger Stephen Gionta battled for the loose puck and then found Ryan Carter all alone in the slot.   Gionta sent a crisp pass to Carter who one-timed a blast toward Quick.   The Kings netminder kicked out his left pad and punted the puck into the corner.   The save kept the game from getting out of hand as New Jersey was starting to control play.
 
Toward the end of the second period, the momentum New Jersey was starting to gain was slowed when Bryce Salvador took a high-sticking penalty behind the Devils net.   On the ensuing man-advantage, Jeff Carter had the Kings best chance when he tried to jam a rebound past Brodeur who kicked out the right pad to deny the Los Angeles sniper.
 
The Kings continued their assault to end the period and finished leading in shots 17-16.   New Jersey continued their lead in the hits department 25-17 and with a 2-1 lead heading into the 2^nd intermission.
 
Los Angeles knew they would have to come out strong to take back control of the game.   At the start of the third period, the Kings dominated the first four minutes with six quality shots.   Perhaps the best chance was a Jarret Stoll drive from inside the right circle that ringed off the left post.   Brodeur was beaten, but the effort didn’t find the net.
 
Los Angeles continued to press as the period wound to a close.   With coincidental roughing minors to Los Angeles’ Dustin Penner and New Jersey’s Alex Poninkarovsky, the extra ice provided the Kings with more room to maneuver.   Still, Martin Brodeur stopped everything sent his way including a solid stop to the right of the net with seven seconds remaining.
 
Devils coach Peter DeBoer was asked w hat was the difference in the last two games and he responded, “ I mean, not a lot of difference.   You know, I’ve been singing the same tune since Game 1. I said even when we were down 3-0 that I didn’t feel that the series was that lopsided.   Our best players were our best players tonight, Brodeur and Parise, Kovalchuk. That’s the key this time of year.”
 
In that Zach Parise seemed to have a breakout game with good energy and a key goal, DeBoer was asked if he sensed something big was to come from his captain, “Yeah, I mean, I go into every game expecting Zach to do something big.  He’s that type of player.”
 
In a post season where having the type of play out of Bryce Salvador has been a pleasant surprise and the patience he showed on the second goal, DeBoer remarked, “Yeah, that’s something that he’s really kind of mastered here over the last month of the playoffs.   He’s had great composure back there for us, getting shots through. We wouldn’t be here without him.”
 
The Kings head back to Los Angeles where many expected them to close out the series in a four game sweep Wednesday night.   Kings coach Daryl Sutter was asked about any extra pressure now to win at home Monday night.   “No. I still think we’ll digest tonight and travel.   Expect it to be another game like tonight.”
 
When asked about how close it is between the two teams with no real margin for error, Sutter commented, “ That’s pretty much it.   I think if there’s anything, you got to finish your opportunities.   You got to work to get ’em, you pretty much have to not give up more than one.”
 
After having numerous opportunities to take the lead and put the game out of reach, Sutter commented on what really seems to matter in determining the outcome of the games in this series.   “The only way to really look at it in the series is the first goal.   Whoever scores the first goal, that’s the way it’s been.   We scored the first goal in the first three. That tells you just really how close it is.”
 
The Kings head back to Los Angeles at least a little deflated after failing on two attempts to close out the Final and win their first Stanley Cup.   The Devils seem invigorated and ready to get back to play.   Winning Game Six on Monday night is first on their agenda before bringing the Final back to New Jersey for a decisive Game Seven.
 
Contact:         dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com
 
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NEWARK, NJ – As the Stanley Cup Final advances to Game Five, an edge in physical play from the last game carries over to New Jersey’s favor and an effort to set the tone early is on both team’s agenda.   After one-hundred games, the physical and psychological drain is starting to be felt, but both clubs know this is the price to pay in order to become a champion.
 
The Devils return to the Prudential Center with new life after drawing first blood in the third period of Wednesday’s game and holding on registering a 3-1 victory to get back into the series.   New Jersey exposed a few weaknesses in the Los Angeles defense and look to continue on a path to advance the series.
 
In Game Three, the Kings had the edge in hits, but in Game Four, the Devils turned the tables on Los Angeles by a wide margin.   Devils coach Peter DeBoer was asked if he felt there was a relationship between the increased hits by the Devils and the victory.
 

“ I think the discrepancy; you’re probably talking 10 hits a night.   Both teams are playing physical. I don’t think that’s going to be the determining factor.   Everyone’s playing hard out there.   It’s a physical series.   There’s a lot of puck battles.   There’s a lot of fight for territory in the corners, in the front of the net.   I don’t think there’s a correlation.   I think tonight both teams will come out and be real physical.”
 
Knowing it will be important to get the upper hand early in the game and be helped by the electricity of the home crowd, DeBoer was asked how important the first ten minutes of the game was, to maybe score the game’s first goal.  
 
“Yeah, it’s important.   The first goal’s important.   Again, I don’t think there’s any secret that we won the last game because for the first time in the series we found a way to get some momentum.   It hasn’t been for lack of effort.   I think we’ve pushed hard enough in first periods of games in this series to grab the lead at different points.   But Quick either has made a big save or they made a good defensive play to keep us off the board.   That momentum is important, for sure.”
 
In attempting to put a finger on what would be a determining factor in Game Five, DeBoer said, “I just think both teams are going to be physical.   I think, you know, probably what’s going to decide this game, like all the games, is execution, who executes, who can finish a play, get a goal, who can score on the power play, who can execute the best all over the ice.   It’s not one thing.   You get to this point, you’ve got two good teams that play good in all three zones.   It’s who executes the best.”

 
In racing out to a three games to none series lead, Los Angeles coach Daryl Sutter was asked if the Kings had played their best game yet.   Sutter responded, “I think from a coaching standpoint, you’re always looking for your team’s best game.   And I never question our team’s effort.”
 
Propelling the Kings to their success in the post-season has been their 10-0 record on the road, a winning streak that if extended tonight to break the NHL record will also clinch the Kings first ever Stanley Cup Championship.   Sutter was asked if the perfect road record would come into his team’s mindset at all.   Sutter responded, “ You know what, the only time I think about it is when you bring it up.   Because, again, it’s game days, right?   Doesn’t really matter.   As I said, the players want to play.   I don’t think it would matter where they were playing.”
 
In missing the opportunity to win the series in Game Four and all the pressure on the Kings to deliver in that game, Sutter was asked if he felt like some of the pressure has been relieved.   He responded, “Y ou know, I don’t think there’s any pressure on our team at all.   You’ve asked that 165 times.   The only pressure that the players should feel, or that you try to convey to them, is the pressure they put on themselves to be as good as they can be.   That’s not a team function.   I mean, that’s why teams are still playing, because it’s not a pressure, it’s like a good place.”
 
Both teams are ready to decide Game Five and it should be a physical, tight-checking match.
Contact:         dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com
 
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NEWARK, NJ – The Devils are coming off an important victory in Game Four that not only allowed them to survive to live another day, but provided a glimpse of just how they might continue having success defeating the Kings.      Los Angeles never looked so vulnerable until the third period of Wednesday night’s game.
 
One thing the Devils will have to do is get more traffic in front of Kings netminder Jonathon Quick.   On Wednesday night, when there was traffic in front of him, he had trouble getting set to block the shot.   Continuing to build this traffic out front will make Quick’s view of the initial shot much more challenging and create an excellent scoring change for the Devils.
             
Once the screen is set, pesky snipers hanging around the crease should be able to pounce on the rebounds.   Patrick Elias’ presence to the side of the crease after Quick stopped the initial Bryce Salvador shot led to rebound success on the open stick side and a 1-0 Devils lead.

 
Quick has been helped by his defenseman to keep the play along the boards as the Devils approach their net.   Under this discipline, Quick has a clear opportunity to see the puck without having to move from side to side as quickly or even at all.   By being able to track the play toward him north to south, this clear view of the shot allows Quick the opportunity to come out to cut down the angle and smother the drive cleanly.  
 
On the Devils second goal in Game Four, David Clarkson accepted a pass in the neutral zone and crossed the blue line down the right side.   As with so many other scoring chances for the Devils in this series, Quick had time to face Clarkson, get set and prepare for the shot.   The Devils winger had other ideas.   A change in what he had expected left the Kings goaltender unprepared.
 
Clarkson sensed a streaking Adam Henrique arriving in the zone on the left side to aid the attack.   As he had a little room to work, Clarkson sent a crisp pass to Henrique who directed the puck from his right skate to his stick blade.   In an instant, Quick, who was setting up for the drive by Clarkson, had to move from his left to right.   Henrique snapped a shot high above the stick side to regain the New Jersey lead.   The goal ended up being Henrique’s third game-winner of the playoffs.
 
New Jersey has given Los Angeles cause to believe they are not as invincible as they might have thought they were.   Now momentum has swung in New Jersey’s favor.   The Devils must generate traffic in front of the net to distract Quick.   As New Jersey advances the play toward Quick, they must get him to move from side to side creating openings to score.   And finally, when there is an opportunity to shoot, New Jersey needs to go high stick side.   Quick has the low corners pretty much covered.  

 
The Devils have a great chance to continue their momentum and prolong the series if they apply these disciplines.   The work ethic and desire are there.   Now all that is needed is a disciplined approach to what they know is a Kings weakness.
 
The puck drops at the Prudential Center Saturday night at 8:00 PM (ET).
 
Contact:         dennis.morrell@prohockeynews.com
 
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