When the puck drops tomorrow night, probably at 8:22 p.m. local time, Jonathan Quick will be at one end of the ice, in his first Stanley Cup Finals game. There’s a chance Anze Kopitar will take the opening faceoff, in his first Stanley Cup Finals game. Same goes for Dustin Brown, Drew Doughty and a few others. Sprinkled among them, though, will be battle-tested veterans. Colin Fraser, Dustin Penner, Rob Scuderi and Justin Williams have won the Cup. Jeff Carter, Matt Greene, Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll have previous Finals experience. Those players will lead the way, not necessarily with words but with actions, attitude and poise. The Finals are fun, the culmination of a dream for those playing in them for the first time, but there’s no time to, as Quick might say, “bird watch.’’ The games will be immediately intense, and the Kings know a strong start will be critical. What do those young players need to know about the first five minutes of a Stanley Cup Finals game? Scuderi (2008, 2009), Williams (2006) and Greene (2006) gave some thoughts.
SCUDERI: “I think it’s all about striking a balance. You’re excited to play. It’s been a while for us. It’s the Stanley Cup Finals. But you also realize that it’s a real hockey game to be played, and we can’t just run out like a bunch of chickens with our heads cut off. We’ve got to realize what got us here, and try to strike that balance between being excited, and your responsibility as a player to this team. … In my mind, I know it’s the Stanley Cup Finals and there are only two teams left, but we were playing for the Stanley Cup in Game 1 vs. Vancouver. So, we’ve been trying to play the same game. The stakes were just as high then as they are now. So, I don’t think our game changes much. It is a bit of a spectacle, but I don’t think it’s very hard to get zeroed in on what you want to do and how you want to play.’’
WILLIAMS: “Usually, at the start of games, in someone else’s building, the home team usually comes out with some spunk, with some fire. We obviously anticipate that. We need to duplicate that and give more. We’ve had success at the start of series, and we need to just harness that, bottle it and continue to do it.’’
GREENE: “Come out and play your own game. Make plays. The best way to slow this down, if you’re coming out on the road in the first five or 10 minutes, is to make strong plays. That’s what is going to slow the game down for yourself. If you give them the opportunity to get momentum the whole time, then they’re going to keep building on that. If you’re making the right plays, if you’re breaking out of the zone and getting pucks deep, that slows things down for us and it gets our game going, and that’s what you’ve got to do.’’
Perhaps better than anyone, Greene understands the situation the Kings’ young players face. When the Edmonton Oilers made the Finals in 2006, Greene was a 23-year-old rookie. Asked about keeping emotions in check, as a young player, Greene said it’s also important to embrace the moment.
GREENE: “You’ve got to enjoy it. You have to enjoy it. That’s the main thing. You’ve got to enjoy it while you’re there. You’ve got to enjoy it while you’re playing. At the same time, you have to realize what you did to give yourself success to get there. That was making plays, doing the right things and the things that your team wants you to do. As long as you do that, you’ll be fine.’’
Drew Doughty, now in his sixth playoff series, seems as though he will follow Greene’s advice about enjoying the moment.
DOUGHTY: “Me personally, I want to know it’s a Stanley Cup Final game. It’s the biggest thing in my life. It’s what I’ve dreamt about my whole life, being in the Stanley Cup Final, and now it’s time for me, and all of us, to pick up our games and be at our best. We can’t look at it as if we have to a lot of pressure on us to win, or anything like that. We’ve just got to go out there and have fun, and do everything we can to win.’’
Anyone know how many of the Devils have been in a Cup Final before?
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DesertKing Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@rick,
Less than our team.
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Bill M. Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@rick, I only know for sure that Brodeur and Elias were on the Devils previous cup teams. A lot of their other players are homegrown since the last cup, including Parise, so they’re green, along with Kovalchuk, who we know only played one playoff series with Atlanta. There might be a couple veterans they have traded for that bring some finals experience.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@Bill M.,
Petr Sykora:
Won with Devils, 2000 & Pens, 2009
Lost with Devils, 2001, Ducks, 2003 & Pens, 2008
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PRMan Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
@Duncanz, Sitting the bench, 2012
bmova Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:10 pm
@rick, Sykora won the cup with NJ and Pitt, but I don’t know if he’s playing or scratched; Volchenkov also got there with the Sens when they lost to that 2nd rate SoCal team.
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Kostamojen Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:26 pm
@rick,
Brodeur – has won Stanley Cup (NJD)
Elias – has won Stanley Cup (NJD)
Sykora – has won Stanley Cup (NJD, PIT)
Carter – has won Stanley Cup (ANA)
Zubrus – Lost in Finals (PHI)
Volchenkov – Lost in Finals (OTT)
I could easily be missing some.
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KingsFanInPortland Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@Kostamojen, That’s all of them
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Booga01 Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 9:17 am
@rick,
They have 6 players on their roster versus our 8 that have been in a SCF before.
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Feeling I get is one of nervous anticipation…
Most media keep looking for some reason the Kings might not win.
That may mean they really feel the Kings WILL win, but just don’t want to say that yet.
Game On, this time tomorrow (almost).
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Donald_S Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
There is a hilarious map on the ESPN page. It’s a poll showed in map form of whether visitors to the page expect the Kings or Devils to win the cup. The whole country is blue (Kings) except for New Jersey. It’s over 2 to 1 people voting for the Kings. That worries me a bit. I’d prefer to be the underdog.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:00 pm
@Donald_S,
I think we will see, right from the beginning of game one, who the better team is…
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Crown city simtom Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 6:29 am
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Agreed, litmus test for the rest of the series.
luc20rules Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:16 pm
@Donald_S, I believe we were favorites vs Phx, before series started it didn’t affect the team in that series. I just think the Kings have been dominating and viewers have picked up on that. The Kings just need to stay focused and bring the same level or higher play to the finals.
Go Kings Go!
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FM3 Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
@luc20rules, Agree….stay focused like we have been from game 1. DS will NOT allow this team to flounder. They will be prepared, they will be strong, they will fight and they will play 100% all the time or not play at all. In DS I trust!
“Headless Chickens”, “Boneless Chickens”, “Skinless Chickens” – all in it’s not a good time to be a chicken…..
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palmspringskingsfan Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
@Weasel, Or if its Quick its chicken parm!
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
@palmspringskingsfan,
I thought that was Ray Ferraro?
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Deke'r Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 7:16 pm
@FKA PakiFro, …..well played….
Can’t wait until the game tommorow. This layoff is driving me nuts.
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Was cool to hear M.Richards saying that the crowd at game 4 against St.Louis during the last 3 minutes of the game was the loudest he’s heard an arena and he even brought up playing in the Finals with Philly and the Olympic Gold Medal game in 2010. We as fans have to keep it going during game 3 and 4, the players notice!
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Shotongoal Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@Kopi Bryant, Remember what I told you after that game?
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Weasel Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:16 pm
@Shotongoal,
“My ears are ringing.”?
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LA_1968 Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
@Shotongoal, I remember what you told me about that in Phoenix. 25 hours to go.
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Shotongoal Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:34 pm
@LA_1968,
rumpa#19 Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@Shotongoal, He couldnt hear you.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
@Shotongoal, Yeah man, no doubt it was the loudest I’ve heard STAPLES and I was at game 7 of the Lakers vs. Celtics Finals 2 years ago. No crowd is louder than our Kings crowds!
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Lavamantis Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 12:06 am
@Kopi Bryant, The only time I’ve heard it that loud was when Deaders scored the deciding goal in OT to eliminate the Red Wings in the 2001 playoffs. I thought the building was going to collapse, it was absolute pandemonium.
Kingsfanone Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@Shotongoal,
Huh?
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KC23 Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 6:29 am
@Kopi Bryant, Game 3 of the Vancouver series 2 years ago was the best crowd I’ve ever witnessed for a King’s game at Staples. Much of the game was like that last 3 minutes of the St. Louis game. Deadmarsh’s OT against Detroit was pretty special as well.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 9:02 am
@KC23, I was at that game 3 againt Vancouver and the crowd was amazing, it has to be up there with game 4 against St.Louis, I think that game against Vancouver everybody was just letting their frustration out after not being in the playoffs for so long. It was a great atmosphere!
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Weasel Reply:
May 31st, 2012 at 11:07 am
@KC23,
Was there for both of those — memories
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Game 1 Kings 3 Devils 1
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palmspringskingsfan Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@Sandy, I think it will be LA 4 – nj1
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palmspringskingsfan Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@Sandy, I think it will be LA 4 – nj1
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I’m still pinching my self. Its been a blur since Penner netted the GWG. Wow
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Nothing from DS? Need my Sutter fix.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@JackKentCooke,
You want a fix? I’ll give you fix you won’t soon forget!
http://kingsnewsdaily.com/pre-game-videos/
Plus, a practice video surfaced as well…
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luckyluc13 Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:18 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), sounds like Simon Gagne really wants to get in there..Put me in coach,I’m ready to play,today
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kingsfan1969 Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:42 pm
@luckyluc13, CCR REVISITED
KC23 Reply:
May 30th, 2012 at 6:31 am
@luckyluc13, Yeah, Gagne sure sounds like a guy expecting to play.
JackKentCooke Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:21 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
You weren’t exaggerating.
TY
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Diego Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:49 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Pffftttt… the Bieb would take them both down.
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Kingsfanforlife Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 6:12 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), After watching the videos, really starting to wonder if Gange will be a surprise to everyone and play?????
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PurpleRocks Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Why is DS wearing NJ Devils colors on media day?!
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Weasel Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:18 pm
@JackKentCooke,
Here I’ll help:
Q; What do expect tomorrow night?
A: ………………..Ice.
Q: How do you think will game 1?
A: Whomever scores more.
Q: Did you ever get your tractor tires from Doughty?
A: Naw, but Pens got me some maple syrup.
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Peter Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
@Weasel, so true!
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SLIM Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:19 pm
@JackKentCooke,
Just experience the experience, Right?
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LA_1968 Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@JackKentCooke, a lot of insight from Coach Sutter regarding Richards coming back when he first got here in December. Off the concussion. Said Richards didn’t have a clear head until mid-March. That’s what I thought at the time but no-excuses are best.
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Here’s a funny story (and a blast from the past for those who are inside insiders)… apparently a couple of reporters almost ‘dropped gloves’ today…
http://www.insidesocal.com/kings/2012/05/reporters-nearly-drop-their-gl.html
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SLIM Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:21 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
That was some funny stuff…
I was [as Parise] shocked…
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Duncanz Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:22 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com),
Stan ‘The Tortarella Tormentor’ Fischler vs Rich ‘The Sutter Survivor’ Hammond, maybe?
Further investigation would be greatly appreciated.
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T-minus Mrs Butterworth’s “crowning glory” !
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What a kick in the pants for Philly….
I couldn’t be happier for them….Carter and Richards..
Karma is a female dog…
Who’d a thunk?
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LA_1968 Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@SLIM, I was reading where the Phily fans still think they got the best of the deals because of the stats. But they would be happy for Carts and Richie. We’ll see… Hopefully. PS Other Philly fans, only about 5%, said they could give a flute about stats and cups are what matters. But
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Diego Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:13 pm
@LA_1968,
Stats tell what happened, not what is about to happen.
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Osaka Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:14 pm
@LA_1968, Even if LA won the cup it is too early to say any team won the trade. What if Philly won the cup the next 4 years straight? Most times there are no winners and losers, just teams getting what they needed.
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Duncanz Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:43 pm
@0 sake, Suntorial elegance!
LA_1968 Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 8:56 pm
@Osaka, We gave up a lot but we got a lot. Untouchable guys. No matter what happens I’m happy with the moves. Apparently, so are they so good for them. Their guys are real young so who knows what will happen. If they don’t play two-way hockey it’s also on their organization so maybe we’ll never know.
I would not mind it if the first ten minutes were boring and scoreless, just so we could get the nervousness out of our system and the NJ fans could see that their home ice “advantage” was not doing them any good.
Then, we could just settle down to playing hockey.
And I like our chances anytime there’s a tie score.
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My biggest hope is the on ice Officials don’t insert themselves into the game. Call things the right way, don’t be influenced by the home crowd in either building, let the teams play physical and punish diving/embelishing early in the series to set a tone. Let teams crash the net and just call it right. Give players a little slack when it comes to emotions as it is the biggest stage. The perfect series would be one where the officials are not a part of any discussion.
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Diego Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:17 pm
@Peter,
Judging from what we’ve seen so far… Fat Chance.
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Nobody wants to be a headless chicken–not even the chicken!
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I love what Scuds said “…we were playing for the Stanley Cup in Game 1 vs. Vancouver.”
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Duncanz Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:46 pm
@0 sake,
That’s because one of your watchwords is probably foresight, right?
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Just wanted to thank everyone who gave their condolonces to my earlier post. It means a lot, I knew that my fellow King fans would be helpful. That’s why there’s never a doubt in my mind what great fans we have. Even though it’s tough I am so pumped to get this started. Let’s bring this thing home for us Boy’s thers a lot of crying to do and want to have a damn good excuse to be doing it.
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Let Carter take a shot at Brodeur off the first face off! Maybe he can catch him asleep and goal in the first 5 seconds of the game… I know, long shot but I like Carters face off goals and his wrist shot is fast. It would be funny and another Kings record for this finals season…
GKG
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Pili Reply:
May 29th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
@m.r.morris, I like your plan, or the chase Brodeur in the first period plan or any plans that ends with Just Win, Baby.
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Go Kings Go!
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Are you guys as anxious as i am? I keep playing NHL 12 with the KINGS against NJ to get fired up! Haha
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Going out of my mind right now waiting for this to start. I already asked my wife to please excuse me for any loud unusual yelling and screaming and to please understand that this IS life or death and whatever she sees between the start and the finish is because its the greatest team in the greatest sport at the greatest time in a hockey fans life. Thank you my love for understanding…Thank you Kings for getting us here….Thank you Coach Sutter and staff…Thank you Insiders….Let’s get it….Go Kings Go….Go Kings Go….Go Kings Go
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