Pearson not concerned with outside perception

One year ago, Tanner Pearson made his NHL debut by logging 5:44 of ice time in a second round overtime loss to the San Jose Sharks. Two days ago, he made a beautiful centering feed on a two-on-two that was redirected by Tyler Toffoli past Corey Crawford for a goal that represented the extent of Los Angeles’ offense in a Game 1 defeat. With the primary assist, Pearson recorded his seventh point in 13 playoff games and after today’s morning skate drew the attention of several Blackhawks, including Michal Handzus.

“Those two young guys, they’re really fast,” Handzus said. “They have skill, too, so they really complement each other really well.”

It’s an acknowledgement that means little to Pearson, who will again be flanked to Jeff Carter’s left during many five-on-five opportunities.

“I think I just have to go with the flow and play my game and not worry about what other people are talking about me,” Pearson said.

As for Pearson’s usage – and Toffoli’s – Darryl Sutter clarified that it rises and falls by their performance.

“Tanner and Tyler played a little bit together, and Tyler and Jeff have played a lot together,” Sutter said. “If you’d just base it on shifts, they’re probably seven or eight minutes a game together, so it’s not a dramatic thing. We’ve got to get Jeff out there a lot, so we probably base it on more on how those guys are playing.”

Tanner Pearson, on how he developed his skating:
I had a private skating coach for about five years and I’ve gone to him every summer. It’s helped me a lot to get to where I am today. This league is such a faster league and you’ve got to be up tempo at time and I’ve been able to adjust quickly.

Pearson, on whether the game speeds up when skating with Jeff Carter:
Yeah, you obviously have to keep up with guys like him and I think Toff has pretty underrated speed too. He can throw you off pretty good. It helps that we’ve got a pretty quick line out there, especially on the rush.