Tonight’s game is a bit of a homecoming for Darryl Sutter, who coached in San Jose from 1997-2002. Even if Sutter was the sentimental type — one doesn’t exactly get that impression — this game wouldn’t really call for any special sentimentality. Sutter has been back to San Jose a number of times in the past nine years, as coach and general manager of the Calgary Flames, including two playoff series. So, not surprisingly, Sutter didn’t put much extra emphasis on his return to Northern California with the Kings.
SUTTER: “No. Quite honestly, no. I think I’ve been here enough, and we’ve been through enough with San Jose and the Flames, in the playoffs and all those things. It’s a long time. But still, the best part is coming back and seeing people, outside the game, that you see (here). That’s still the best part.’’
From the other side of it, though, Sharks coach Todd McLellan said he is prepared to face a “motivated’’ Kings team, one with a new coach…
MCLELLAN: “With that coach having some ties to San Jose, I’m sure they will want to play for him. In the same breath, we should be matching that, because of our poor effort in L.A. about three or four weeks ago. We weren’t very good. We were outworked and outbattled for two complete periods. We fought back in the third, but it was too little, too late. So I expect two motivated teams to come out and play hard going into the break.’’
McLellan was also asked for his impressions of the Kings in last night’s game against Anaheim.
MCLELLAN: “I thought they played hard. They’re a hard team to play against, and I think Terry established that there. I think he did a very good job. They’re big bodies and the protect pucks well. I saw that from them again last night. You have to be a miracle worker, really, to completely overhaul a team’s system in one practice. So I didn’t see a lot of systematic changes, but didn’t expect to. I think that, with a new staff, that happens over time. So we’ll worry about our game. We know they have some tendencies that they like to play toward. Perhaps, next time we play them, we’ll see a completely revamped team, but I don’t think we’ll see that yet, in fairness to their new coaching staff.’’
Up yours McLellan!! were coming for you tonight
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Gkg
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We wont see the new stuff until Jan. But we do see the players working harder.
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Bit of a bench mark test tonight. Hope the boys will have some legs left for this game.
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For the record, McLellan also said Darryl is tremendous coach. I also found it interesting that Sutter was the first person Lombardi called when Dean got fired in SJ.
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 3:59 pm
@wavesinair,
Do you have a link to that la times article?
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wavesinair Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@FKA PakiFro,
It’s from the Mercury News blog: http://blogs.mercurynews.com/sharks/
Story 1) As Lombardi-Sutter reunite in LA, a look back at the rough times in their relationship in San Jose
Story 2) Pavelski fighting the flu, getting ready for the Sutter-led Kings, praise for White-Braun – and more
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Off topic but anyone saw this? Pretty funny stuff.
http://video.blackhawks.nhl.com/videocenter/console?hcatid=894&id=143976&navid=DL|CHI|home
I’m convinced Kane and Sharp are tone-deaf.
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Osaka Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:21 pm
@goldielocks, That is great!
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Yuk! I already wanna slap’em. Watching that just produced a little vomit that didn’t come all the way up before I reswallowed it.
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Happy Lappy Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 4:25 pm
@Dominick, thanks for that graphic description, I just threw up in my girlfriends mouth. j/k
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Kingsfanone Reply:
December 23rd, 2011 at 5:08 pm
@Happy Lappy,
Nice picture you paint! Thanks for that…….I think!
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Interesting he mentions the system being the same. I think most teams that have our number (not saying the sharks do) know how to coach against it. It seams fairy predictable. Hopefully Sutter changes it and we can hold onto the puck in the slot more and get higher percentage shots. Would be good to see more drop and lateral passes between the circles upon entry.
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“are you going to play extra hard against the sharks?”
Sutter: “we’re going to play hard against everyone, this isn’t baseball”
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