(5-4-13) Blues-Kings Gameday Lineup

By LOUIE KORAC
LOS ANGELES -- The Blues have a 2-0 series lead heading into tonight's Game 3 against the Los Angeles Kings but won't sit comfortably thinking the series is in the bag.

Both games in St. Louis, 2-1 victories including the first in overtime, could have gone the other way with one shot. But the Blues, who have never lost when leading a playoff series 2-0 (they're 10-0 in history) will look to snap a five-game losing skid in this building, including a 6-4 collapse on March 5 when they led 4-1 in the second period.

"For us, we just have to play 60 minutes with competitive composure," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We're going to have to absorb some blows, just like you do any place on the road, but we just have to maintain our composure. We gathered it back in (Thursday) in the second half of the game and won the game because of it. We're going to have to find a way to have to do it for more minutes than 30 minutes if we expect to win in this building."

The Kings went 19-4-1 on home ice this season, and the Blues expect nothing but the defending champs' best tonight at 9 p.m. (FSM, NBCSN and KMOX 1120-AM). At 0-3 makes it all but certain the Kings would become the third straight defending champ to bow out the following season in the first round.

"Desperate teams are the most dangerous because they're hungry and they're not going to stop for a full 60 minutes or forever how long it takes," Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said. "It's a scary thing to go up against, but at the same time, we can apply that same mentality and play like we're down the series 2-0 instead of being up.

"... However, we do have to play with a little prosperity and know we can close this out here if we play the right way."

One year later, where the Blues were getting swept out of the postseason by the Kings in this building, the tides have changed and the Blues can do the same with a pair of wins Saturday night and Monday night.

"The roles are completely reversed, which is nice for us," Shattenkirk said. "But at the same time, just from last year, they played well in the playoffs at home. ... They have a great crowd and they seem to respond well when they're getting some energy from their crowd. It's going to be important for us to be able to push through those situations."

Teammate Alex Pietrangelo agreed.

"Obviously now we’re going to be in their building, it’s going to be a little bit of a different atmosphere for us," Pietrangelo said. "You don’t have the adrenaline quite as much as having your own fans behind you, but I think if we go out there and play the way we have been on the road this year [14-9-1], I think it’s going to result in another [win] for us. But we know it’s not going to be easy."

And it's cliche, but the Blues know more can be had.

"There's still areas that we have to improve a lot," winger T.J. Oshie said. "The scoreboard doesn't reflect it, but our power play's got to get going, our PK was a little over-aggressive last game and that led to their goal. We also have to keep our emotions in check against these guys."

- - -

Although he's been a healthy scratch for the first two games of this series, rookie Vladimir Tarasenko seems to be taking his seat in the press box in stride.

Tarasenko, who played 38 games during the regular season and 30 prior to that in the Kontinental Hockey League, is taking the team-first approach.

"I'm OK," Tarasenko said after Saturday's morning skate. "It's a good experience for me. The guys win, and I can't be sad when guys win. I'm so happy we lead 2-0. If the team wins, that's the main (thing)."

When asked what he continues to work on, Tarasenko said: "Just what the coaches tell me."

- - -

Hitchcock is a stickler for matchups when the Blues are on home ice. The veteran coach wants certain lines to play against the opposition's best players.

Playing on the road, that won't be an option, since Kings coach Darryl Sutter now will get the last change.

But Hitchcock's not concerned.

"We're not looking to match up front at all. It doesn't really matter," Hitchcock said. "The matchup we'll get will be from the back-end. We're not worried about the front at all. Just play ... especially with the puck confidence that we have in (Chris) Porter's line. We can play that line against anybody and not feel like we're taking a back seat."

Shattenkirk is one who will get certain matchups as part of the defensive unit.

"You're going to get caught out there sometimes," Shattenkirk said. "There's nothing you can do about it. They're going to have some moments where they are gonna really be able to pin you down. And there's going to be moments where you're going to have to adjust to it. Guys are going to have to play against different lines and be able to respond."

- - -

The Blues, particularly Hitchcock, talked about how the game is different playing at Staples Center.

Hitchcock called rinks around the league "more rectangular," but referred to Staples Center as more rounded.

Where?

"Corners. The corners come up quick," Hitchcock said. "Around the net, you feel like you're in the corner. It's just a rounded building. It's the same surface, but the configuration here really makes it a different feel, different for the on-ice players, different feel for the coaches. Things happen a lot quicker in this building and you've just got to be ready for it."

Blues goalie Brian Elliott agreed.

"It's kind of a different style rink," Elliott said. "It's a different style of town altogether. You just have to approach it like we did at home. You want to take the crowd out of it and just play your game and not react to what they're going to do. Just play your game and not really worry about things. When we're doing that, everybody kind of takes care of their role and things take care of themselves."

- - -

The Blues' probable lineup, which is the same as Games 1 and 2:

Jaden Schwartz-David Backes-Alexander Steen

Andy McDonald-Vladimir Sobotka-Chris Stewart

David Perron-Patrik Berglund-T.J. Oshie

Adam Cracknell-Chris Porter-Ryan Reaves

Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo

Jordan Leopold-Kevin Shattenkirk

Barret Jackman-Roman Polak

Brian Elliott starts in goal; Jaroslav Halak is the backup.

Healthy scratches include Kris Russell, Ian Cole, Vladimir Tarasenko, Scott Nichol, Jake Allen, Andrew Murray, Dmitrij Jaskin, Jeff Woywitka, Jani Hakanpaa, Taylor Chorney and Evgeny Grachev. Jamie Langenbrunner (hip) remains on injured reserve.

- - -

The Kings' probable lineup will see a tweak on defense:

Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams

Dwight King-Mike Richards-Jeff Carter

Dustin Penner-Jarret Stoll-Trevor Lewis

Kyle Clifford-Colin Fraser-Jordan Nolan

Robyn Regehr-Drew Doughty

Jake Muzzin-Slava Voynov

Rob Scuderi-Alec Martinez

Jonathan Quick gets the start in goal; Jonathan Bernier is the backup.

Healthy scratches will be Brad Richardson, Keaton Ellerby and Tyler Toffoli. Willie Mitchell (knee) remains on season-ending injured reserve. Matt Greene (undisclosed) is also injured but skating.

(5-4-13) BLUES NOTEBOOK

Blues in good spot; Elliott OK; Schwartz brushes off incident; Jackman's 'O'

By LOUIE KORAC
LOS ANGELES -- If history tells the story, the Blues will win their best-of-7 series against the defending Stanley Cup champs.

But heading into Games 3 and 4 against the Los Angeles Kings on the road, the Blues know all they've done is hold serve.

By winning a pair of 2-1 games on home ice, including Thursday's win on Barret Jackman's first playoff goal of his career with 50.4 seconds, the Blues hold a 2-0 series lead. In their history, they've never lost a playoff series in such a position (10-0 lifetime) but feel there's still work to be done.

"It’s definitely going to be big," forward Jaden Schwartz said. "They’re really good on home ice (19-4-1 in the regular season). You never want to go down 3-0 in a series so they had a big push and I’m sure tomorrow is going to be even bigger. We’ve got to make sure we’re ready and we definitely want to win this game and go up 3-0 as badly as they want to make it 2-1."

It's the first time since 2002 (conference quarterfinals) that the Kings, who lost only four games in the postseason en route to their first-ever Stanley Cup, that they've trailed 0-2.

Game 3 will be at 9 p.m. local time (FSN, KMOX 1120-AM).

"They've obviously collected a lot of points in this building," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "They play well. I don't know that they play any different, but they really build on momentum of offensive success, especially against us. Both games were kind of close and then they kind of stretched them out in the second half of the game."

The last time the Blues were here, it may have been one of the low points of the season on March 6, when the Blues led 4-1 and played arguably 40 of their best minutes of the season. They held a 4-2 lead when the game went awry in a hurry that resulted in a 6-4 defeat.

"Home and road, it doesn't really matter," winger David Perron said. "It's big and that's why we worked all year to get home ice advantage. If it goes all the way, it's going to be nice having that last game at home, but we're not there yet. All we're worrying about is playing the next game and whether it's in LA or anywhere else, last year they showed they won two games in St. Louis and then we couldn't even get one game here. We've got to try to do the same to them this year."

* Elliott OK after collision -- Blues goalie Brian Elliott momentarily gave his teammates and the Scottrade Center faithful when he went down in obvious pain in the third period when the Kings' Dustin Brown tried to gain the left edge on Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, went down and collided with the side of the net and catching Elliott in the process.

Elliott was treated by Blues trainer Ray Barile and after taking a few strides on his skates, remained in the game and went on to post his second win in the series and 13th victory in his last 15 decisions going back to April 1.

"I knew they were going to drive hard," said Elliott, who has a 0.90 goals-against average and .966 save percentage in the series. "It was just kind of a play that usually happens at this time of year. Everybody just kind of crashing the net. Definitely didn't feel good right away but I was able to continue. That's a good thing, and made a stop. Move on from there.

"You never really know (if the injury was going to be bad). You get the first shock of pain, but it's obviously just kind of skating it off there and it felt good. Nothing more to it."

Elliott's teammates were confident when they saw him skate it off.

"He came back and he was fine," Pietrangelo said. "Obviously you hold your breath there for a second. But he’s feeling pretty good today."

Elliott did find it amuzing the fans chanting his name, in a way to will his way back to the goal.

"It was kind of funny," Elliott said. "It was almost like a movie. I wanted to tell them, 'Give me some time, hold on here.' I was talking about it with Russ (Kris Russell). He said it was pretty cool. When you know you have the rink behind you, it feels pretty good."
The Blues had no issues with it, calling it a hard play.

"Uh, at first you think that and then you look at the replay, he’s just trying to make a hard play to the net," Blues defenseman Barret Jackman said of Brown. "It looked like he lost an edge and went down, so you’re not going to be calling a guy out. You go hard to the net, it’s not like we’re thinking he was targeting Ells."

It does stir up old memories of when the Blues' Geoff Courtnall stormed Kings goalie Jamie Storr in the 1998 playoff series.

* Schwartz/Brown incident -- All was quiet on the incident that saw the Kings' Brown make knee-to-knee contact on the Blues' Jaden Schwartz that also saw Brown extend an elbow but not connect.

Brown, who scored the Kings' lone goal Thursday and was suspended the final two regular season games for contact to the head on Minnesota's Jason Pominville, only got a minor penalty on the play.

Schwartz brushed it off when asked about it Friday.

"I didn’t really see the highlights of it," Schwartz said. "I know he probably stuck his stick and his knee out at the same time. I didn’t see the replay, but he did get a penalty and I wasn’t hurt on the play or anything like that, so it wasn’t too, too serious. That’s going to happen in the playoffs and we got a power play out of it."

Schwartz appeared at first to be in some pain.

"A little bit at the start, but it wasn’t anything serious," he said. "It happened pretty quick, so you don’t have time to think too much. I’m not sure what happened. I saw his knee at the last second and his stick, too. So I’m not sure whether it was his knee or his stick that tripped me up."

Hitchcock wouldn't address the issue specifically. He's chimed in enough times and feels like now's the time to stay out of it.

"It's probably best that I don't comment on all the activities," Hitchcock said. "I'll leave that up to the higher ranking officials in our organization and in the league. I'm better off not commenting on that because I'm sure (the Kings) have a couple that they'd pop up that are there. That's for someone else to determine."

* Jackman ... the day after -- Not only did Jackman net the game-winner Thursday night, it was his first playoff goal. But it's no coincidence that Jackman is involved in the offense this season.

Jackman delivered three goals and added nine assists in 46 games this season. He was one off his point total of a season ago in 35 fewer games.

"It just seems like it’s coming a little bit more naturally this year," Jackman said of the offense. "Not trying to press the issue, but trying to be a part of the offense. I’m not the first guy leading the rush, but another guy that comes up and is another option. It’s kind of going my way."

Hitchcock likes his defensemen to join the rush, whether it be a guy that's offensively talented or a stay-at-home defenseman.

"I think it's just a reflection of how we play the game, where we want our defensemen very active in the rush," Hitchcock said. "If you look at a lot of (Jackman's) chances, he got them on rush attack chances. He's always been a smart player, but he's always been kind of those stay-at-home defending defensemen. Well, that's not the way we play. Our defensemen have to be active players and he's been able to activate and join the rush at times. A lot of his points have (been) gotten where he joins the rush and got odd-man rushes because of it and that's the type of attitude we need."

And on the goal Thursday night, Jackman was asked if there was the tendency to join the rush instinctively.

"I was trying to read the situation and saw that I had an opportunity to make an odd-man rush without jumping by too many of their guys and putting us out defensively," he said. "I was still the third guy high in the zone. If something happened, I could still get back. It just so happened that Stew (Chris Stewart) made a great pass and I got a bit of a screen from the d-man and put it in."

Jackman was able to leave the rink late Thursday night and soak in what happened with his family.

"You go home and sit down," he said. "I’m only a few minutes from the rink, so when I got home, I just sat down, took a breath, sat with my wife and had a big smile on my face and started worrying about our next game. Enjoy the moment, but you’ve got to start looking ahead, too."

* Perron, Oshie, Berglund bond again -- The David Perron-Patrik Berglund-T.J. Oshie unit has been an on-again, off-again trio since the three have been in the Blues organization, all as first-round draft picks.

Whether it be because of injury or because of line-shuffling, inconsistent play ... whatever the case may be. But the line has been together for both games in this playoff series, and Thursday night was the reason Hitchcock congregated the group together again.

"They were skating for support, and they were skating with the puck, so when they do that stuff, good things happen," Hitchcock said. "They were really skating with it. They skated to support each other. They weren't standing. They weren't playing the game just with their eyes. That's been probably one of the issues during the season with those guys is that they play the game too much with their eyes and not their legs, and now they're starting to use both eyes and legs and they're hard to play against when they play like this. They move their feet, they support each other, they read off each other properly, good things happen."
Perron remembers being asked about the combination in the past, quipped: "You trying to jinx us right now, because every time we talk about the line going, it gets switched around.

"I think for us, whoever we play with, I think we've shown in the past that we can adjust and hopefully, it's nice when you can get chemistry going with a few linemates. Obviously with these two guys, I think we feed off of each other pretty well. Osh has got the good reads, and I'm trying to make plays happen, same as him. Bergy's obviously a big body driving to the net and he showed that last night scoring a big (tying) goal for us."

* Pesky Perron -- Perron also has seen himself get more involved in this series, particularly with Kings netminder Jonathan Quick, who's taken more than one exception to Perron skating near the goal mouth.

But ask any player, their job is to not only beat the goaltender but distract him in any which way possible.

"I was trying to be the hashtag 'pesky Blues,'" Perron said. "It was a good game for us. I think it started kind of in the first game there just getting to the net every chance I got. Hitch talked to our line to get our feet moving probably a little more when we have the puck than when we don't and I thought we did a really good job. It was one of the first times all year I was skating forward. I wasn't thinking about what was behind me or whatever. I just knew someone would be backing me. I feel like my linemates felt the same way, so it was a good game for us overall.

"(Quick's) one of their best players. Last year, he's probably the one that made the biggest difference to get us out (of the playoffs). Just trying to get to him. He's obviously a real good goalie. Just got to do anything I can to get into his head. If I'm skating by every time and he yells at me, it means I've got to keep doing it."

Perron calls it healthy competition and it's part of the game.

"I think we're having fun out there," he said. "As long as it stays healthy like that and we're both going at each other, why not? It's the playoffs and we all want to win. They're desperate on the other side and even though we're up by two games, we don't feel like we have any advantage right now. We've just got to stay even-keeled and keep going and hopefully get the next win."

Jackman's late goal gives Blues 2-0 series lead over Kings

Defenseman's goal with under a minute to

play helps St. Louis overcome third-period deficit

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- Barret Jackman didn't have to see the shot. All he had to do was listen.

The 18,681 screaming fans told the whole story. And the story at the end of night that seemed destined to go past the midnight hour is that the Blues have a 2-0 series lead against the defend Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings.

(St. Louis Blus/Mark Buckner)

Chris Stewart (25) and teammates celebrate Barret Jackman's last-minute

goal that beat the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 in Game 2 of the conference

quarterfinals.

Jackman's first career playoff goal put the Blues in the driver's seat in their Western Conference Quarterfinal series. His wrist shot from just inside of the left circle with 50.4 seconds remaining gave the Blues a come-from-behind 2-1 win over the Kings in the best-of-7 series Thursday night at Scottrade Center.

Sometimes it's best to close your eyes because one can paint a pretty solid picture. It was the best possible picture Jackman could have envisioned.

"I had my eyes closed, so I really didn't see it," Jackman joked. "The building erupted, and it's a pretty good feeling. We closed it off tonight and not giving up a goal late.

"I thought I wasn't going to shoot knowing the way my hands are, but I just put it on net past the d-man. I don't know if (Kings goalie Jonathan Quick) saw all of it."

Jackman got a pass from Chris Stewart, after the Blues were able to take advantage of an uncharacteristic 3-on-2 so late in the game. Stewart had two options and chose Jackman coming in from the blue line. Jackman was just inside the top of the left circle and snapped a wrister past Quick, who seemed screened a bit by defenseman Drew Doughty.

"I was a bit surprised," Stewart said. "It was probably our first 3-on-2 of the night. I skated to my left and (Jackman) and (Andy McDonald) were both calling for it. (Jackman) was wide open. When he's open, you've seen that goal a few times this year. He has a missile, and we got a good bounce."

Quick, who lost the puck in overtime of Game 1 that resulted in Alexander Steen's shorthanded winner, said it's a shot he has to have.

"I've got to stop that," the Kings' netminder said. "It's my fault ... two games in a row. I've got to be better."

The Blues want to prove they can defeat the defending champions after being swept out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Kings a season ago.

They're halfway there.

The series shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4 Saturday and Monday.

Patrik Berglund also scored for the Blues, and Brian Elliott stopped 28 shots.

The Kings, who last trailed 0-2 in a playoff series in the 2002 conference quarterfinals against the Colorado Avalanche, got a goal from Dustin Brown. Quick stopped 23 shots for Los Angeles, which was 19-1-2 in the regular season when leading after two periods.

"We didn't expect to be in [this position], but it's our own fault," Doughty said. "We're in this position. We've been fully prepared for their game, fully prepared for what they're going to do against us and we just haven't stepped up to the plate."

Quick appeared to take a puck to the groin area, bent over in some discomfort and skated crunched over toward the center-ice line during warm-ups and left the ice in frustration. There was some buzz whether he'd be able to play but he was able to recover.

The Blues were shorthanded in the first period four times and fell behind 5-on-3. With Ryan Reaves already in the box for high-sticking, Jackman was whistled for interference on Kings Doughty after the whistle had already blown for an offsides play. Los Angeles took advantage when Brown deflected Mike Richards' shot 9:55 into the game for a 1-0 lead.

So for Jackman to get the winner after putting his team in a two-man disadvantage early feels like retribution.

"Obviously a 5-on-3, it was tough," Jackman said. "We didn't continue to let them get momentum after that. We played hard and got some things going our way. The third period was our best."

It was chippy for long stretches in the first period, which was expected with the Kings down in the series and searching for a spark.

The second period was scoreless thanks to Quick and Elliott.

The St. Louis goaltender was able to make a stop on Justin Williams from close range late in the period. He also benefited when Brown was in alone early in the period but slid his backhand wide of the net.

Quick's best save came on Steen's one-timer from the right circle, getting just enough with his glove while the Blues were on the power play with just under 10 minutes left in the second.

The Blues got the equalizer 3:44 into the third period when Alex Pietrangelo threw a puck toward the crease and a streaking Berglund, who was able to deflect it, hitting off his skate and into the left corner past Quick. The officials looked at it, but a goal was ruled on the ice and video review confirmed the call.

"I didn't see the puck. It kind of bounced on me," Berglund said. "Obviously a good feeling it went in."

It was the kind of goal a team at home down in the third needed to boost their morale as well as get the crowd buzzing again.

"I think so, because we had so many good scoring chances throughout both last game and this game," Berglund said. "I think it was good for us to put it in early obviously so we can keep working to score the second goal."

The Blues got a bit of a scare with 10:51 remaining in the third when Brown tried to gain the left edge on Pietrangelo and went crashing into the side of the goal, taking Elliott with him. The goaltender was down for a bit, received attention from the Blues training staff, but shook it off and stayed in the game.

Elliott was unavailable to speak to the media, but Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said his goalie was fine.

Now it's onto Staples Center, where the Blues will hope to put the champs in a deeper hole. The Blues are 10-0 in franchise history when taking a 2-0 playoff series lead.

(St. Louis Blues/Mark Buckner)

Alex Pietrangelo (second from left) gives teammate Barret Jackman a

high-five after Jackman scored the winning goal Thursday.

"I don't think there's one person in the room that thinks we're in control of anything other than the number that says two-zero," Hitchcock said. "I don't think we're in control of anything. I don't think they feel like they're in control of anything. This is two teams that are going to fight this right to the end, and I think every player in that locker room knows that. ... It's that close. Every shift seems like it's the last shift on earth.

"This is a highly-charged series. This is a very emotional game. It's hard to play with such strong intensity and emotion that you need to because they're such a competitive team and then still be able to play your position. Those are the things we're learning. Regardless if we would have won today, I was just happy with the way we played when we kind of calmed down a little bit and started to play better positional hockey."

But for one night, Jackman, who was asked where the goal ranks in his career, can bask in his own and the team's glory for one night.

"It's pretty big. It's very emotional," Jackman said. "I don't get the opportunity to score goals very often. It's a big thrill and we'll enjoy it tonight and move onto LA."

(5-2-13) Kings-Blues Gameday Lineup

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- Leave it to Blues coach Ken Hitchcock to liven up the banter that he and Los Angeles Kings coach Darryl Sutter have.

When asked the difference between he and Sutter, Hitchcock, who has the utmost respect for Sutter, said: "In the summer he talks to cows and I talk to golfers.

"Darryl's a helluva coach. ... Both of us have been able to create conflict. That's part of coaching. You get players to go into places they don't want to really go into or don't know how to go there and your job is to help them and along the way there's some conflict. But at the end of the day, the reward's worth it. Darryl's had success because of that formula and I've had success because of that formula."

Sutter got wind of Hitchcock's comment but wouldn't bite: "He's probably a good golfer, too. Good coach, I know that."

- - -

The Blues, who enter tonight's Game 2 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals series against the Kings with a 1-0 series lead, know they'll get a big push from the defending Cup champs.

"Same as we got last year, same as we got in the second half of the game (Tuesday)," Hitchcock said. "Our first game got their attention so I'm sure that we're going to get one of their better games so we've got to be ready for it."

Said Chris Stewart: "You've got to expect them to push us back. They're not going to just hand it to us. The more we get in their end and grind them down, it's only going to frustrate them more.

"I think we just can't react to it. You know they're going to come hard, you can't get frustrated. You can't retaliate or take a dumb penalty. I think you just match their intensity. They want to hit our best players, we can hit their best players, too. You just play like that. Everybody just digs in."

The Blues' intensity and compete level reaped the rewards from a solid April that ended 13-3-0 (including Tuesday's series-opener). But according to captain David Backes, it goes back beyond that.

"February-March, I think we've learned more than we did in April," Backes said. "Those are the learning lessons of buying in as a group and having 20 guys all on the same page. ... April's kind of the result and consequence of those lessons that we've learned. We'll need to bring another great effort tonight. One win, it's not over by any means. It's a seven-game series. We've got to win three more. We've got to stay on the gas and not take anything for granted.

"It took overtime to beat those guys with how good of an effort we had. It's finishing chances, it's competing all over the place and it's not getting distracted from our game plan."

The Blues know Game 1 shouldn't be a peak performance for them if they expect to win the series.

"If Game 1's the high water mark for us, it's not good enough," Hitchcock said. "It's not good enough to win the series. We're going to have to play better than we did in Game 1 if we expect to win the series. To me, it's just keep getting better. As long as you keep getting better, you push the competition out. If you stay the same or you go backwards, then the other team's going to have an advantage.

"We're dealing with the experienced team that knows how to win. They're not an old team, but they know how to win. They've been pushed to the limit and they've responded every time. Even when we lost four straight last year, I thought in three of the games, we pushed them right to the limit and they've responded. We're trying to gain that knowledge on the run here. The only way you can gain it is by playing better and better every night."

- - -

Tonight's Game 2 will mark a first for Blues playoffs. The game will start at 8:30 p.m. (FSN, Y-98 FM) to accommodate national television, which will televise games from the Eastern Conference.

"Better not get to overtime or I'm going to be asleep on the bench," Hitchcock joked. "The gap from now until 8:30, there better be some good games on at 6 o'clock when we're sitting in the office twiddling our thumbs. It's a long, long day. I've never seen anything like this, so this will be interesting."

The Blues will not be traveling to Los Angeles until Friday morning, but for the Kings, they'll be leaving after the game tonight.

"You just have to throw the clock away and do it like it's game day and not even think about what time it is," Sutter said, who also joked about it. "I'm sure every team does it ... have their little team meeting at 7 o'clock.
"It's kind of odd. What it affects is the next part of it, the travel. We know we're getting home some time between 2:30 (a.m.) and 4:30 (a.m.). If there's three overtimes, we'll play two games tonight and you get home at 4:30. If you play one game tonight, we'll be home at 2:30. That's sort of the next part of it, how you recover for your next game."

Stewart said he'll have no issues with it.

"I'm known for my gameday naps," he said. "That certainly won't be a problem today. There's going to be plenty of time for that. It's going to be a late start, but it is what it is. Drink an extra Red Bull maybe, but that's about it."

- - -

The Blues were surprisingly high on their faceoff percentage in the opener against one of the better faceoff teams in the league.

The Kings, who were 10th while the Blues were 13th in the regular season, were hitting at a 36 percent clip in the loss Tuesday night. The Blues' Andy McDonald won eight of nine (89 percent) and Backes won 14 of 20 (70 percent) to lead the way.

"We were surprised. We were good," Hitchcock said. "We've always been strong against them when we're on our natural side, but when we were on the opposite side, we won some of the faceoffs that normally we've lost against them. They've got guys that are good on both sides of the ice. This is the first time that we've been able to do that. I was pleasantly surprised by that."

None of the Kings' regular faceoff guys were at 50 percent other than Mike Richards, who was right at 50 percent (11 of 22).

"Other than Richie, it was the lowest percentage total we've had all year for a game," Sutter said. "When you count Jeff (Carter), you really have four veteran centermen in the lineup. They have to make that adjustment. Jarret was getting kicked out. It's an adjustment obviously. With them also, McDonald took a lot of faceoffs in that lineup. Usually there's two centermen on the ice for both teams. They've got to do a better job."

- - -

The Blues' probable lineup:

Jaden Schwartz-David Backes-Alexander Steen

Andy McDonald-Vladimir Sobotka-Chris Stewart

David Perron-Patrik Berglund-T.J. Oshie

Adam Cracknell-Chris Porter-Ryan Reaves

Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo

Jordan Leopold-Kevin Shattenkirk

Barret Jackman-Roman Polak

Brian Elliott will get the start again tonight; Jaroslav Halak is the backup.

Healthy scratches include Kris Russell, Ian Cole, Scott Nichol, Jake Allen, Andrew Murray, Dmitrij Jaskin, Jeff Woywitka, Jani Hakanpaa, Taylor Chorney and Evgeny Grachev. Jamie Langenbrunner (hip) remains on injured reserve but is as close to 100 percent as an injured player can be.

- - -

The Kings will have a few tweaks to their Game 2 lineup, but personnel remains the same:

Dustin Brown-Anze Kopitar-Justin Williams

Dwight King-Mike Richards-Jeff Carter

Dustin Penner-Jarret Stoll-Trevor Lewis

Kyle Clifford-Colin Fraser-Jordan Nolan

Robyn Regehr-Drew Doughty

Rob Scuderi-Slava Voynov

Jake Muzzin-Keaton Ellerby

Jonathan Quick gets the start in goal; Jonathan Bernier is the backup.

Healthy scratches will be Brad Richardson, Alec Martinez and Tyler Toffoli. Willie Mitchell (knee) remains on season-ending injured reserve. Matt Greene (undisclosed) is also injured.

(5-2-13) BLUES NOTEBOOK

Blues stayed focused; Oshie returns; Hitch finally sees OT goal

By LOUIE KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- It would have been easy to crumble.

The Blues have done it before, wasted an effort that should have resulted in victory, only to see it somehow slip and leave them wondering what went wrong.

Tuesday in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Kings, there was no angst, no panic and no worry.

After losing a 1-0 lead with 31.6 seconds remaining when Justin Williams tied the game 1-1 for the Kings, the Blues found a way on Alexander Steen's second goal of the game, a shorthanded effort with 6:34 into overtime.

The Blues were serving a double-minor to Kevin Shattenkirk, who high-sticked the Kings' Dustin Penner. It would have added to the heartbreak of past playoff heartaches, but the Blues didn't waver as they came off the ice at the end of regulation.

"They get a late late goal in the third period there, but I think for our guys on the bench, I think we were happy with the effort that we put forth in the first three periods and realized that we did a lot of good things and not to get too down," forward Andy McDonald said. "If we continued to play that way, we could come out with a win. I didn't see us drop like perhaps we had dropped in the past. I thought our confidence stayed pretty high and guys got refocused pretty quickly."

Steen agreed.

"It was tough, unfortunate to get that goal (against us) at the end of the third, but I liked our vibe going into the dressing room after the third," Steen said. "It was a very positive, like get-this-done vibe. Everybody almost felt like we got determined from it. That overtime, both teams kind of sat back a little bit, then they got some chances and Ells (Brian Elliott) made some big stops. That was a fortunate bounce behind the net (on the winner)."

* Hitch finally sees OT winner -- Fault Blues coach Ken Hitchcock for being short.

He could hear the roars, the screams and all the fist pumps. That's all the veteran coach needed to know that his team had just pulled off a Game 1 victory.

But Hitchcock wasn't able to see it firsthand. So when did he see it?

"I saw it about midnight last night," Hitchcock said. "I saw it on the highlights after the Anaheim-Detroit game. That's the first time I saw it.

"It was fortunate for us. They were a little better than we were in overtime. Alex was our best player, nice to see him get that goal."

* Oshie returns -- T.J. Oshie returned to the lineup against the Kings Tuesday after a 15-game layoff due to an ankle injury that required surgery to repair a stress fracture.

Oshie, who played 18 minutes, 1 second, was paired with fellow first round picks Patrik Berglund and David Perron. He replaced Vladimir Tarasenko in the lineup.

"The ankle felt great," Oshie said. "I think more so it was emotions and getting that first game under me. The first two periods felt a little better, slipped a little bit in the third. But that was more so erring on the side of caution as far as not letting them score a goal. But I felt really good and actually I'm surprised at how well I feel today."

Hitchcock called Oshie's game "OK," but gave him the benefit of the doubt.

"First go, OK. He got caught watching a little bit, but for a first game back after a month to walk into something like that's not fun," Hitchcock said. "I thought he did fine until he got tired. Then he started playing with his eyes maybe. I think he recognized that.

"He'll be better in Game 2. He's one of those guys for us that we need to be better, and I think he will be as he gets accustomed. That's a heck of a game to have to walk into after a month layoff."

* Expecting champs to bounce back -- The Blues know as well as they played Tuesday, they may have to be even better Thursday night.

"They're going to be better tomorrow, we've got to be better," Hitchcock said. "There's areas of our game we've got to be better. We're going to have to continually play better if we expect to push them out. They're not going to go anywhere easily.

"I think all of us feel like we can play better. There's individuals that can play better. There's team stuff that can play better. We like some of the things in our game, but we know we're going to get a completely different response tomorrow and we're going to have to be ready for it."

It was nice to get that monkey off their backs, as the Blues were 0-7-1 in their last eight against the Kings dating back to Feb. 3, 2012.

"What was the record again? How many in a row did they beat us? Eight in a row, right? You put that to rest," winger Chris Stewart said. "I thought we showed some things, but at the end of the day it’s one down, three to go. But you know they’re going to come out tomorrow a (ticked) off hockey team. They’re probably not too happy with the way they played. I thought we came out with the right attitude. We showed that we meant business. But we’re going to expect a big push-back tomorrow."

* Kings ready to respond -- The Kings held an optional skate Wednesday at Scottrade Center and are in an unfamiliar position, one they never dealt with a season ago: trailing in a series.

"We have to be quicker," Kings defenseman Drew Doughty said. "They’re coming hard on their forecheck. They’re banging bodies. They’re creating those little turnovers and I think a lot of times when they created those turnovers they kind of went into panic mode and tried to make up for that mistake quickly, and I think that’s the wrong thing to do. You’ve kind of got to sit back, find where your guy is and create your own turnovers. That was the one area I think they're really dominated us in and we didn’t really get on our forecheck, which is one of the keys to our game and we need to do that in order to win the next one."

Blues' blueprint for physicality just what they needed

Reaves, Backes, Cracknell pave way,

must elevate tempo to next level in Game 2

By LOUIE KORAC
HAZELWOOD, Mo. -- As if the 17,612 fans needed another reason to be heard to open the playoffs, Blues enforcer Ryan Reaves gave them plenty of reason to be loud.

It started with a pair of jarring hits on Jordan Nolan and Brad Richardson 11 seconds apart early in Game 1 if the Western Conference Quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Kings.

It was the start of what would be a pounding, bruising persona the Blues would put on display in a 2-1 overtime victory that has them up 1-0 in the series.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

Adam Cracknell (right) was one of the Blues' more physical players in

their 2-1 overtime win over the Kings.

"I was a little out of position, kind of running around like an idiot for a couple seconds," Reaves joked Wednesday. "I think I kind of knew it was going to happen. I think I had to get the crowd into it early and send that message. I kind of took it on myself to send that message to that team that it's going to be physical, it's going to be a battle. If they want to stay in it, it's going to be tough."

Consider the message delivered.

After being pushed out of their element by the Kings who went on to win a Stanley Cup a season ago, the Blues felt like the only way to dictate the tempo in Tuesday's playoff opener was to initiate the contact and most importantly, push first.

The Blues, who took Game 1 on Alexander Steen's shorthanded overtime goal, came out with an intensity that was packed with the kind of physical element that's suited for their style of play.

"I think last year they did it to us," Reaves said of the 2012 sweep at the hands of the Kings. "They came out, all four lines were physical. They pushed us out. We really didn't have a response for them.

"I think this year, it's got to be the opposite. We've got to come out and push them out first and then when they push back, we've got to push harder."

Even though the Blues wound up being out-hit 41-38 in Game 1, their early initiation caused quite the stir that resonated through the blue-clad faithful that cheered loudly with every Reaves hit.

Reaves led the charge, with nine hits of his own. He was even joking Wednesday afternoon when told that he had out-hit the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team 9-7 on the night.

"I think hopefully I led by example," Reaves said. "I think the game kind of got amped up after that. It was a physical game. I think all four lines were playing physical. I think we got them on their toes for most of the game. I think we laid off near the end when we had the lead and a little bit in OT after they scored the goal, but I think we kind of sent a message that it's going to be a tough, physical series."

Add fellow fourth-liner Adam Cracknell and captain David Backes to the list with five hits each, the Blues dictated tempo, got an early jump and would have run the Kings out of the building had it not been for the stellar play of goalie Jonathan Quick, who stopped 40 shots.

"When Reaves goes out and whoever it is and gets a big hit and makes the other guys feel like we're taking it to them from a physical standpoint, I thought for the most part we were giving it out a little more last night," Blues veteran forward Andy McDonald said. "(The Kings) didn't seem to be playing as physical as they have been in the past. I don't know if that's us initiating more or whatever. It's a good sign for our team and that's the way we play. We're a physical team, we're on top of teams. We know Reaves is great. He got in there, got some big hits and got the crowd into it. We feed off that.

"It's Game 1 and I think we had the adrenaline going and (were) excited being our home opener in the playoffs and a lot to prove. We just have to make sure that we match that again tomorrow night and maybe even bring it up a notch. We know that they're going to come out a lot harder."

But it wasn't just Tuesday night that the Blues lit the fire. This sort of element to their game has been going on throughout the month of April, where they went 13-3-0 including Tuesday night's playoff victory.

"I don't think we focused as much on them as we did ourselves," said Steen, who netted both Blues goals Tuesday. "I think the way that we had played in the last month of the season, the way we started April and kind of got progressing is kind of something that was real positive. Now it's basically just wanting to play the same way, intensifying it ... almost picking it up a little bit, another notch or two. I thought yesterday we came out with a lot of jump and played the way we wanted to play, but being said, that's Game 1 and it's behind us now."

The Blues, known as one of the top-hitting teams in the NHL, understand that as good as they were in the physical department Tuesday, it will have to be even better Thursday.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

David Backes (left) continued to add his physical presence in the Blues'

2-1 win over the Kings in Game 1 of the conference quarterfinals.

"I think it has to go to another level," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "I think the contact was fine. We played physical, they played physical, but that's playoff hockey. There were 80 hits I guess in the game. That's what the stats people said, so for two big teams, that's around average ... 80 to 100, that's around average. Physical play is just part of who it is. ... That's the way it is for playoff hockey."

That's why Kings coach Darryl Sutter realizes that his team better come prepared for another physical war Thursday night.

"It was pretty much a matchup situation when you’re on the road when Hitch wants to play Backes against (Anze Kopitar)," Sutter said. "And it pretty much matches up who’s playing against who. And if you try and get away from it, quite honest, when you’re honest on the road, you see it in the first period last night, then your changes become scorng chances against.

"Your matchups are what they are. And how do you counter that? Some of the boys that play on our fourth lineboys."

Steen's OT winner gives Blues series lead over Kings

Shorthanded tally was second of game in

2-1 win over defending champs in Game 1

By LOUIE KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues called it poetic justice.

Alexander Steen called it a fortunate play.

Either way they look at it, anything but a victory Tuesday night would have been devastating, even though the playoffs are just beginning.

The Blues felt like they outplayed the defending Stanley Cup champions for nearly 60 minutes, with nearly being the key word.

(St. Louis Blues photo)

The Blues' Kevin Shattenkirk (22), Alex Pietrangelo (27) and teammates

jump into the pile to celebrate Alexander Steen's overtime goal in a 2-1

victory over the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday night in Game 1.

But after allowing the tying goal with 31.6 seconds to play in regulation, it could have been not only a deflating goal in the game but also the series for the Blues. And after defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk was assessed a four-minute double-minor penalty for high-sticking the Kings' Dustin Penner, it gave the Kings a chance to steal a game.

However, Steen's second goal of the game, a shorthanded tally in overtime, gave the Blues a 2-1 victory over the Kings in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Tuesday at Scottrade Center.

With Shattenkirk in the box, Steen deflected Kings goalie Jonathan Quick's passing attempt from behind the net and wrapped a backhand effort into the net 13:26 into the overtime period for the Blues' first win against Los Angeles in nine games. They were 0-7-1 dating back to last season.

"I just got on. I figured once the puck went down, I had fresh legs," Steen said. "I figured I'd try [Quick]. I guess I just got fortunate behind the net there. It hit my stick, and it went in."

Shattenkirk was the happiest player on the ice after he rushed out of the penalty box.

"I owe Steener many thanks and maybe a couple dinners," Shattenkirk joked. "I think I might have thrown the guy in the penalty box out of the way to get out on the ice. It was a very big relief.

"It was a play that was a reactionary play. [Penner] manages to kind of get the puck in my feet. I go to lift his stick ... you have to control your stick and it was a tough break. My heart sank a little bit there and a little bit nervous in the box no doubt, but you could tell from the beginning of the penalty kill the guys were ready to kill it off and help me out. Obviously getting a goal on it is one way to end it and kind of get through it."

Quick, who was stellar with 40 saves in the game, looked to make a play to his right but had his effort picked. In an instant, the game was over.

"It's exactly what it looked like," Quick said. "I tried to make a pass. [Steen] blocked it and scored.

"I don’t have an option to the left and you’re trying to force him to the left. Trying to give my D-man a little more time with the puck. You give it to him early and then he [Steen] is up his ass. You try to make him make a decision. And he got the stick on it."

The Kings, who were 16-4 in the postseason en route to winning their first Stanley Cup, got a stellar effort from Quick, who was the only reason the game didn't get out of hand for the visitors. The Kings gave themselves a chance when Justin Williams got the equalizer with 31.6 seconds remaining in regulation.

"To be able to tie it up, they score on a bad break ... lose it, tough break," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "They came out exactly how you expected them to. They played a warp-speed game, they did. We had a handful of guys that weren't ready for that part of it. It made for a tough time."

It's one game, but the Blues -- at least for one night -- got that monkey that was beginning to look like a gorilla off their backs.

The Blues opened the postseason against the defending Stanley Cup champions with not only a mission, but to prove to themselves that they can beat the Kings.

"The hockey gods took care of us today. They did," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We played a great hockey game. Waking up tomorrow would have been a challenge if we didn't win the hockey game today. You hate to say things are must-win, but for us, we're hopefully going to gain a lot of confidence from this that we can compete with these guys and not just compete but actually win. ... I think it would have been a shame not to win, but when you're the defending champion, you can't just knock them off, you're going to have to stick a pretty big nail in them. We're just getting started in this series."

Brian Elliott continued his winning ways this month with 28 saves as the Blues had dropped three straight overtime playoff games dating back to May 16, 2001 -- Scott Young’s double-overtime winner against the Colorado Avalanche.

It was a dominating first period by the Blues that saw them get the lone goal, but the Kings were on the doorstep in the closing seconds looking for the tie.

Quick made a pad stop on Kevin Shattenkirk's point shot on the power play, but kicked the rebound into the slot, where Steen snapped a one-timer into the top corner 9:05 into the game for a 1-0 lead.

"I knew I had a lot of time walking down the pipe," Shattenkirk said. "I just teed up a slap shot and I knew it was going to be somewhere to the left side of the net. I know with how much time [Quick] had to react and kind of square up to be that he was going to be aggressive like he has been against us all the time. We had a few guys coming out that side of the net and it was Johnny on-the-spot there for Steener."

The Blues' forecheck created all sorts of havoc. And it was the Adam Cracknell-Chris Porter-Ryan Reaves line that helped energize the 17,612 in the building with bruising, bone-crushing hits that helped dictate tempo.

"We try and make good plays at the same time, but if we bring a physical presence and we throw a big hit, our team gets fired up from that," Cracknell said. "That's our job and we know that.

"We watched LA last year and throughout the season. Their fourth line does that, too. We have to match their effort and bring more. We just tried to take a page out of their book and that's what we try to do as a line."

The Blues were unable to extend the 1-0 lead, thanks to Quick.

Quick did make the best save to open the game, stacking the pads when Roman Polak got a saucer feed in alone from Vladimir Sobotka, but was robbed by the Kings' netminder with 12:11 left in the period.

Elliott made the first of two solid stops on Jeff Carter with under five minutes left in the period after a failed clearing attempt by Roman Polak.

The Kings had a late first-period power play and Elliott was up to the challenge again on Carter on the doorstep after Drew Doughty's shot pin-balled around the crease, and Elliott got a left skate on Carter's backhand attempt that kicked off the right post with a few seconds left.

Quick continued to hold the Kings within striking distance through 40 minutes with a pair of point-blank stops on Jaden Schwartz off a Steen feed right at the top of the crease in the second period. Quick also benefited from David Backes ringing one off the right post 7:40 into the period.

Quick again was up to the task, robbing Backes from in tight with 9:15 remaining in the game, then holding his position on Schwartz seconds later to keep the game 1-0.

"He was outstanding," Sutter said of Quick. "I thought he played a great game. Kind of ironic the two best players on the ice were in on the goal."

With Quick pulled for an extra attacker, Williams used a sliding Barret Jackman as a screen and snapped a near-side shot into the near side with 31.6 seconds remaining to tie the game 1-1 after the Blues failed to put the defending champs away.

"They were just throwing bodies at the net and it went off our d-man's stick and went top corner," Elliott said. "Anything can happen. You've got to be prepared for that. Guys just stayed positive and we tried to stick to our game plan. They came out at us in overtime and I think we battled back and Steener putting it away for us was huge."

(St. Louis Blues photo)

The Blues' Ryan Reaves (left) battles the Kings' Drew Doughty

during Tuesday's playoff game at Scottrade Center.

The key for the Blues was to regroup, and do so quickly, which they did. Allowing the tying goal to linger could have brought on devastating consequences.

"We came in here. We knew it wasn't going to be easy against these guys," Steen said.
"You can't get mad at yourself at that," Elliott said. "You just have to refocus, get back out there and really want to play in that overtime. Guys were excited to do it. A little bit of a roller-coaster ride with that four-minute penalty turned into a game-winner, that's a big one for us. We've got to take that, put it in our back pocket and move onto the next game.

"I thought we deserved to win that one tonight."

The Blues took a 1-0 series lead and will host Game 2 on Thursday in St. Louis before the series shifts to Los Angeles for Games 3 and 4 Saturday and Monday.

"It's a big start," Steen said. "I thought we came out with a lot of jump and played a solid three periods. Unfortunate goal to send it into overtime. I think we did a good job of regrouping in here because both teams kind of sat back a little bit in OT. It's a big win for us. Now we regroup tomorrow and go back at them in Game 2."

* NOTES -- T.J. Oshie replaced Vladimir Tarasenko in the lineup. ... This is the fourth postseason meeting between the two teams, and each of the first three ending in a sweep. The Blues won in 1969 and 1998, the Kings of course swept last season's series 4-0. ... The Kings have started 16 consecutive playoff series on the road, which is an NHL record. ...