Blackhawks' Rundblad to take place of Timonen in Game 6
David Rundblad is in and Kimmo Timonen out for tonight's Game 6 of the Western Conference finals at the United Center.
Rundblad met the media after the morning skate and discussed what he needs to improve upon after a rough Game 1 in this series.
"Be quicker, I think that's the biggest key - move the puck quicker," Rundblad said. "That will help me out a lot."
Coach Joel Quenneville said Rundblad needs to move on.
"You're playing the next game," Quenneville said. "You're playing the next shift. You got to be confident. You got to be comfortable and play."
The Hawks trail 3-2 in the series, so Rundblad isn't returning to the lineup in the best of circumstances.
"It's not the easiest thing, but it's still exciting," he said. "You'd rather play games than bag skate. If I play tonight, I'll be excited."
Timonen has played in all 15 postseason games, averaging 9:25 of ice time, but he has struggled against the hard-hitting Ducks.
TVR improving:
Trevor van Riemsdyk, coming back from a wrist injury, skated Wednesday and says he's getting better every day, but he isn't ready to play. Coach Joel Quenneville hasn't ruled out the possibility of the rookie defenseman returning at some time in the playoffs, but it looks like the earliest that could happen would be in the Stanley Cup Final.
Van Riemsdyk understands the intensity will be far different from the 18 games he played to start the season before shattering his kneecap in November, but he believes he will be up to the task.
"It's obviously a big step up in the playoffs," he said. "My brother's been through it. I've watched it since I was a little kid. You definitely notice that step up (in intensity). I've never been a part of that necessarily, but I had some good experience early on.
"It'll obviously be a little different out there if I got the chance to play, but just be as ready as you can be. You can't simulate something like that no matter how much you practice … hopefully you get out there, keep your head on straight and just keep doing what got you here."
Bickell still in:
Coach Joel Quenneville was asked before Game 6 about Bryan Bickell's rough playoff stretch, which included a play that led to Anaheim's winning goal in overtime of Game 5.
"Obviously a tough one the other day," Quenneville said. "But Bick gives us a presence and physicality. I still think we need that element."
Say anything?
Before a big game like tonight's Game 6, will anything more be said beforehand?
The Hawks' Jonathan Toews: "No, I think the usual chatter in the room, the energy (is what you want). Making sure that we're keeping it lose and we're prepared to have a great first period - kind of make up from mistakes that we made in the first period last game.
"Other than that, anything over the top just adds to anxiety, if you will. We'll do what we have to do to keep it loose in here … we know what to expect - every guy to be ready and to bring their best game. Nothing really needs to be said for that."
Looking forward:
Ducks goalie Frederik Andersen had a rough finish in regulation of Game 5, allowing 2 goals in the last two minutes as the Hawks tied it up. Before Game 6 on Wednesday, Andersen said that's all behind him now.
"I can't do anything about two nights ago," Andersen said. "It's nothing I'm going to beat myself up about because it happens to everyone."
Andersen allowed just 5 goals in the first three games of the series, but he gave up 9 in Games 4 and 5. Coach Bruce Boudreau said it was about time the Ducks bailed Andersen out in Game 5 after he'd been doing the same for them much of the season.
"Obviously nice to get the support," Andersen said, "but I know what he thinks about me and I know the team (has) confidence in each other."
Not much R&R:
The Western Conference finals have been filled with big hits and have seen three games go to overtime. So how do the players feel between games?
"We get tired, but we make sure we get the right food, the right rest, the right fluids," Andrew Shaw said.
When does Shaw feel the most tired?
"Triple overtimes games - after those," he said. "The flights are tough too, but both teams are doing it so you can't use it as an excuse. You've just got to do what you can to get ready for the next one."
Live and learn:
Anaheim held a 3-2 series edge last season against Los Angeles but lost Games 6 and 7 to the Kings. Andrew Cogliano remembers that 6-2 loss in Game 7 as one of the worst they played all season.
"We got a taste of an experienced team that knew what to do in L.A.," Cogliano said. "They were confident. I look back on that game now and I think about it, and they … knew they were going to win."
He's hoping the Ducks learn from that experience.
"Look, guys need to have confidence (in Game 6)," Cogliano said. "It's an opportunity for us to make a major step. I don't think guys need to put any more pressure on themselves. Guys just need to do their job."
He said it:
"It's a time to prove to yourself and your teammates what you've got and how much you care about winning for this group."
- Jonathan Toews on why the Blackhawks do well in big games
He said it II:
"We want to play it like (it's) Game 7 tonight."
- Ducks winger Andrew Cogliano