More on Schultz, who faces his former coach

Jeff Schultz will draw into the Kings’ lineup for the first time since the preseason, and following the team’s morning skate Darryl Sutter provided some background on the experienced blue liner, and how he came to be the preferred option on the left side with two left-shooting defensemen injured.

“You know what? Schultzy was signed last summer not knowing whether Willie Mitchell was going to play this year at all. So once Willie Mitchell was cleared in training camp, then Schultzy became that player in Manch that was going to be here if we had an injury to one of those veteran guys, specifically on the left side, being Willie Mitchell or Robyn Regehr,” Sutter said. “It’s taken this long for him to get here.”

By entering into tonight’s game, Schultz will face his former Hershey Bears and Washington Capitals coach in Bruce Boudreau, which provides an interesting perk for the 28-year-old who played 286 of his 399 career NHL games under the current Anaheim head coach.

“I was happy for him when he got the job, but we kind of know how he likes to play,” Schultz said. “He plays his top players a lot and he’s had a good power play.”

Schultz, as you may recall, had 23 points and a plus-50 rating while paired primarily with Washington’s Mike Green on the high flying 2009-10 Capitals, who led the NHL with 318 goals for and a plus-85 goal differential. He logged 29 games of postseason experience with Washington.

A former first round pick, Schultz’s play shifted in the wrong direction late in his Capitals tenure, a curious development for a player who appeared to be entering his prime years. Why did this happen? As Japer’s Rink, an excellent SBNation Capitals blog clarifies, there was a shift away from a puck possession-type game to more of a conservative style of hockey late in Boudreau’s tenure. It was a change in systems that Schultz may have had trouble adapting to.

Jeff Schultz doesn’t strike me as someone who does anything suddenly. My guess is that all the rapid-fire changes of system took him out of his comfort zone. Instead of being able to “read and react” or “read and anticipate,” Schultz now had to “read, think, think some more, and then react.” For a player as… ponderous as Schultz, that extra couple of beats spent thinking probably meant the difference between being an effective NHL player and a healthy scratch. He simply doesn’t move quickly enough to be able to think on his feet.

This is a recommended read: What happened to Jeff Schultz?

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Jeff Schultz, on what it was like playing for Bruce Boudreau at this time of the year:
He can get kind of wound up, but he’s pretty calm. I had him down in Hershey when I was there too. He’s always been focused and that’s why he’s had success in the playoffs.”

Schultz, on Boudreau being “wound up”:
He’s a pretty emotional guy. He really shows his emotions out there and I think it’s the same way when he played. He’s really energetic and played hard each game.”

Schultz, on the differences between Bruce Boudreau and Darryl Sutter:
Like you said, one’s out there and the one kind of just keeps to himself. Bruce doesn’t like to give too much away like Darryl does and I think that’s just playoff hockey for a coach.

Schultz, on Boudreau:
He would never turn you away if you had any questions for him. I think as a player, that’s one good thing. If there is ever any problems or concerns you can go talk to him and he’ll give you feedback.

Schultz, on being able to understand Darryl Sutter when he speaks:
A little bit. I haven’t been around so much this year.

Schultz, on learning how to play with a new defensive partner:
I kind of just watch film and talk to him just over tendencies. It’s more about playing systems rather than getting used to your partner.

Schultz, on the adjustments they are looking to make in Game 2:
We know they forecheck really hard, so I think getting back to pucks and get them up quick and just keep playing the system strong. And they have a great power play so staying out of the box will be key.

Schultz on the biggest challenge he faces in the game:
I think a combination of everything. I haven’t played a game here in a little bit after being called up. But I think just get a good first shift in. Either get hit or hit someone, so just kind of get myself in the game.

Schultz, on having a good sense of the team:
Yeah, I had a good time at training camp with the guys and I know most of the guys fairly well. So it’s just a matter of feeling comfortable out there with them.

Schultz, on his reaction to Robyn Regehr’s injury:
I wasn’t sure. I was actually in here doing a little workout and he came in and they weren’t really sure what was going on with him. I just kind of found out the next day, they said that he will be out for a little bit.

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