Early going key for Devils tonight against Kings

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This article was published 11/06/2012 (5033 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

LOS ANGELES – There are no changes for the New Jersey Devils heading into Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final and that’s no surprise as they try to keep their run going.

The Los Angeles Kings, however, would like this hockey season to end tonight (7 p.m., CBC) and give their city its first Stanley Cup after 45 years of trying.

“I think it’s the same feeling as when we were down 3-0. Like I said, I think the hockey world pretty much wrote us off, and I think we feel we’ve played with no pressure because of that,” said Devils coach Pete DeBoer this morning. “I don’t think that’s changed because all of a sudden it’s 3-2 now.”

The Devils did not skate today as has been their routine in previous games in Los Angeles due to the 5 p.m. local start time.

Kings coach Darryl Sutter says his team can’t worry about the big picture but must focus on winning one game.

“I think the mindset has to be, or is, the same thing as when a series starts: to try to win the game, not getting further than that,” said Sutter. “Then it becomes a distraction or outside distraction. I think that’s the key. That’s something we’ve been able to do really well.”

DeBoer announced today his lineup would be the same as Game 5, when his club won 2-1 in New Jersey to move the series back California.

The Devils, who once trailed this series 3-0 before winning the last two games are undefeated this season in elimination games with a 4-0 mark.

“I don’t know if there is preparation. That comes from within your room. That’s gut-check time. Those are the questions that you don’t know how your team will respond to as a coach until you get in those situations,” said DeBoer. “There’s clues during the year. At different points you get those pressure points, a must win or a big game, to end a losing streak, and you see how your team responds. Until you’re actually facing the fact of going home for the summer unless you win, you’re not really sure how you’re going to respond.”

Kings goale Jonathan Quick was the best player in the series over the first three games but has been outplayed by Devils veteran Martin Brodeur over the last two matches. Sutter says that trend can’t continue.

“We need him to be a great strength for us. If you look at the series, we’re up against a great goaltender. We need that out of Jonathan. So both guys are still playing because they can manage that. Obviously Marty has more experience with it. But that’s what Jonathan’s trying to do also,” he said.

DeBoer says the early going will be key for his team tonight.

“I think it’s typical that you get in the situation that you have to weather an early game storm from the home team,” he said. “I think L.A. was expecting that. They took it to us the other night in the first period in New Jersey. The best formula for us if we can return that favor and not have to deal with that.”

gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @garylawless