Post by jenny123 on Jan 23, 2014 22:13:43 GMT -5
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- David Backes was grateful the St. Louis Blues were out of their homes and comfort zones Wednesday, practicing in an opponents practice rink just a few slap shots from the Pacific Ocean. Still reeling from the shock of two home playoff losses, the St. Louis captain realizes that a strong road trip is the only way to save his teams season. "Its good to get away from home and all the people that told us how good we were all year," Backes said. "Weve had a little trouble dealing with success, with all the talk about Presidents trophies and Jennings trophies ... and now were stumbling on our toes." Indeed, St. Louis is in an 0-2 hole in its second-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings, giving up eight goals at home to the lowest-scoring team that made the NHL playoffs. Game 3 on Thursday night is vital to the Blues, who know that only three teams have overcome an 0-3 deficit and advanced. After the Blues stellar regular season and an impressive first-round win over San Jose, Backes can see slippage in the Western Conference semifinal series. St. Louis isnt playing with the precision or the all-out energy necessary to compete with the eighth-seeded Kings, who have extended their late-season surge into the playoffs. "Weve had times in the season where weve all bought in, and weve had times when were half in, half out," said Backes, who had two assists in the Blues 5-3 loss in Game 2. "Thats where we are right now. ... Enough is enough, and weve got to determine as a group if were going to attack this thing, or if were going to tuck tail and run." Backes unusual frankness, echoed by coach Ken Hitchcock in more friendly terms, might be just what this gifted team needs to hear. The Blues were the first team to clinch a playoff berth and a division title this season, so they didnt have to push down the regular-season stretch. St. Louis isnt extraordinarily gifted offensively, and its defence in front of beleaguered goalie Brian Elliott must be much better for the Blues to keep chasing their first Stanley Cup championship. Hitchcock echoes his captains thoughts about the Kings, who have been remarkably consistent in their seven playoff games, putting them halfway to their first conference final series since 1993. "The difference is the resolve in the opponent," Hitchcock said after the Blues afternoon practice. "L.A. has had to be dug in for a long time. Their commitment is 100, and ours is maybe 85 right now." Whatever the Kings are doing right on the road, coach Darryl Sutter appears to be going to remarkable lengths to see it in Game 3: His team is staying in a downtown hotel the night before both games, and their pregame skate Thursday will be at Staples Center -- a rare opportunity in a building with all three of its pro sports franchises currently in the playoffs. Sutter wouldnt confirm he made the changes to preserve the Kings good feelings from the road, where they are 5 for 5 in playoff games this season. Los Angeles has been remarkably inept at home in the past three postseasons, losing six of its last seven -- including a potential clinching Game 4 in the first round against Vancouver. "We just havent done it this year," Sutter said of the Kings pregame plans. "Thats one of things we talked about when I came here was never being able to be at your own home rink. Its just hard to do, because of the basketball schedule. Its an opportunity for us to do that." The Kings probably shouldnt look to change much else about their playoff efforts to date. They have outscored their opponents 20-11, and goalie Jonathan Quick is thriving behind an improved defensive effort. Los Angeles also realizes it cant expect another halfhearted, mistake-prone effort similar to the Blues stumbles in Game 2. "That was probably one of the worst theyve had in their season so far, and they said it," said Anze Kopitar, whose short-handed goal in the first period opened the floodgates. "They said it themselves. We know theyre going to be ready to go, and were sure theyre going to throw everything at the table." While Quick has been largely impenetrable, the Blues need a return to form from Elliott, who hasnt received much help from his teammates while getting shelled in the first two games. Elliott is by himself after spending all season in a tandem with injured Jaroslav Halak, and Hitchcock is hopeful the part-time goalie can produce full-time success. "The break (between games) has been good for him," Hitchcock said. "It was a frustrating last couple of games for him, both mentally and physically. The break is good." Although Jason Arnott didnt practice Wednesday while nursing a lower body injury, the Blues might get a much-needed boost from defenceman Alex Pietrangelo, who returned to practice in California after getting hurt on a check by Los Angeles Dwight King in Game 1. Hitchcock said St. Louis best defenceman felt "OK." "If he feels OK (Thursday) and wants to give it a go, well let him go," Hitchcock said. Womens Tony Carter Super Bowl Jersey . He wasnt the least bit upset about it. Alexei Ramirez singled in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth and the White Sox beat the New York Mets 5-4 on Tuesday night. "I dont think Ive ever been disappointed after a win," Sale said. Womens Chris Harris Super Bowl Jersey . LaMarcus Aldridge scored 21 points, Damian Lillard added 19 and the Trail Blazers got their eighth straight win, beat the Bucks 91-82 Wednesday night. www.authenticbroncosjerseysnfl.com/Womens_Super-bowl-48-knowshon-moreno-jersey/ . Toronto FC, who finished last in league standings in 2012, will have its choice of a crop of promising young players as it holds the number-one pick. In fact, the early part of the draft will have a very Canadian flavour as Toronto FC also owns the third pick overall. Youth Mike Adams Super Bowl Jersey . Janssen was placed on the 15-day DL on June 17 with a right forearm strain. The move was retro-active to June 15. He has appeared in 28 games for the Blue Jays this season, going 2-0 with one save, a 2. Youth Champ Bailey Super Bowl Jersey . The Wizards announced Monday that they have cut ties with guards Shannon Brown, Malcolm Lee and Kendall Marshall. The moves were expected.The Philadelphia Wings named Blane Harrison the 10th head coach in team history on Monday. Harrison replaces Johnny Mouradian, who will remain the Wings general manager, a post he has held for the past three seasons. "We have always planned to groom Blane for the head coach role and we are pleased with his progress and development over the past two seasons. As an organization, we feel strongly the time for change is upon us and we look forward to the new direction of this team under Blane," said president Michael French. "He has earned the respect and admiration of the players through his role as offensive and defensive coordinator and we expect a seamless transition to his appointment as head coach." Harrison joined the Wings staff in 2011 as the teams defensive coordinator, and spent the 2013 season as the clubs offensive coordinator. A native of Whitby, Ontario, Harrison played collegiately at Michigan State University and spent one season as an assistant coach at his alma mater. Prior to joining the Wings, Harrisoon was an assistant coach for the Orlando Titans and Detroit Turbos, formerly of the NLL.ddddddddddddIn 2010, Harrison was named an assistant coach of the U.S. National Indoor Lacrosse Team for the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Tournament. "It is an extreme honor to be named the head coach of this fine organization. I want to thank the ownership group for giving me this opportunity," said Harrison. "As with other professional sports leagues, we operate in a performance-driven environment. As such, our success is determined by wins and ultimately winning the Champions Cup. That is our goal." Mouradian will focus his duties on team personnel planning and player procurement. He was instrumental in bringing in new talent as well as experienced box lacrosse players and NLL stars to the Wings organization over the past three seasons, and looks to continue developing the Wings roster. Former Wings captain Tom Hajek will remain on the staff in his current position as defensive coordinator for the 2014 season. ' ' '