TAMPA, Florida – Looking to lead his team to a third Stanley Cup, Joel Quenneville spent some time with the media Wednesday before the start of the Stanley Cup Final.
With a thinning defensive group, Coach Quenneville confirmed it was highly likely he would go with the same defensive setup as he did for the Game 7 victory at Anaheim.
As far any changes to the forwards and, specifically, Trevor van Riemsdyk, Quenneville confirmed he would not be playing today, but that he is real close and that there was a good chance he would see action in the series.
When asked if was strange to have storied veteran defenseman Kimmo Timonen on the roster and contributing zero points in 15 games, Quenneville said, “I think when we acquired him, we knew he was depth. He hadn’t played in a while. He got to play regularly for us. His minutes obviously weren’t very high. I thought he gave us a steady influence there down the stretch. I think in the playoffs, as well.”
We feel on the back end his minutes as we went along here were okay. An opportunity in Game 6, we made a change. The results were good. I think that’s part of the decision where we’re at today. Not easy for him. But he’s a great pro. I think he wants to play, wants to play more. Very understandable.”
Quenneville was pressed again on Van Riemsdyk and the chance he would play, about any hesitation he has putting a guy in that hasn’t played since November. He responded, “We saw firsthand what he was able to do when he came into training camp. Surprised us all how well he played, how effective and efficient he is.
We’ve been skating him in practice every day. One of his strengths is his reads, positionally aware, decision making with the puck. He’s got a lot of attributes that can help our team. I think he came onto the scene rather fast for us. I think we have a lot of confidence and trust in him.”
On a Kane and Toews pairing, he was asked if it is something he would prefer not to keep together or is it something he hopes to keep together for a series and see how it goes. Quenneville responded, “Tough to forecast long-term on that. Last two games, they were so good together, it’s tough to get them apart now.
We’ll see how the game goes matchup-wise. Certainly have some balance if you get them apart. Together, pretty dynamic the last two games. We’ll visit that, how the games are going, how the matchup is.”
Turning to the opponent, Quenneville was asked what he thought of the Johnson line. “Pretty successful these playoffs. They’ve been great. As good as any line that’s been all year. Pretty quick, dangerous off the rush. A lot of trickery, movement, anticipation between the three.
I think that’s a primary concern going in. You got to be aware of Stamkos and his line, as well. But I think their rush game is something you have to contend with. That line particularly leads the charge.”
Turning to free-agent acquisition Brad Richards, Quenneville was asked if putting him on the top power play unit was turning out to be an effective move. He responded, Couple games there where we scored a couple goals, very timely goals. I think it helped our power play in those games. Coming off the last game where he had good play-making decisions at the point, some tight areas, sustained it. Things materialized.
He’s got some good opportunities with Toews, Kaner, Shawsy, Dunks. You have options. On a need basis, we made a change and it clicked immediately.”
When asked about the 11 forwards and 7 defensemen match-up Tampa Bay employs, Quenneville was asked how it affects the Blackhawks matchup-wise and if it makes it more difficult. He said, “We’ll see. If it turns into a three-line game or four-line game, that is something you keep your eye on, are aware of.
I still think the strength of our team is our depth and the four-line rotation is what we look for. Your top guys generally get more ice time anyways. But, you know, he’s probably going to be double shifting a guy or two, keeping a four-line rotation. But we’ll see on that.”
Game 1 is set for Wednesday night at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Face-off is set for 8:00 PM ET and is being televised on NBC, CBC, TVA Sports. The schedule for the remaining games in the Stanley Cup Final are listed below.
Game 2 Sat., June 6th at 7:15 p.m. Chicago at Tampa Bay NBC, CBC, TVA Sports
Game 3 Mon., June 8th at 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Chicago NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports
Game 4 Wed., June 10th at 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Chicago NBCSN, CBC, TVA Sports
*Game 5 Sat., June 13th at 8 p.m. Chicago at Tampa Bay NBC, CBC, TVA Sports
*Game 6 Mon., June 15th at 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Chicago NBC, CBC, TVA Sports
*Game 7 Wed., June 17th at 8 p.m. Chicago at Tampa Bay NBC, CBC, TVA Sports
* if necessary
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