Although the Kings series with the Ducks almost feels like a lifetime ago, at least one player is still feeling the impact of the NHL’s first all-SoCal playoff series, as a collision with Devante Smith-Pelly continues to be a problem for defenseman Robyn Regehr. After testing his knee during morning skate today, Regehr says he’s out for tonight’s Game 6 vs. the Chicago Blackhawks. He also shared the following thoughts after returning to the locker room…
On the challenges of being injured:
“It’s difficult when you’re injured because you’re on a different schedule and program than a lot of the normal guys, the playing guys, so you kind of feel you’re a little bit of a hobbit sometimes, so it’s nice to be back around the guys. It started with traveling with them to Chicago and things like that, but it’s been a slow progression, more and more.”
On if he’s been cleared for contact:
“I did a few little battle drills down low, two-on-ones, things like that. But I need more of that. I need one-on-one contact and things like that before I’m ready to roll.”
On if today was his first day doing drills with the whole team:
“Yes. Felt good. It’s a lot better than doing them by yourself.”
On getting chirped by teammates when you’re in full practice:
“Well, you can chirp back, though. The only one you could do before is looking at your reflection in the glass, and that’s no fun.”
Given that Jeff Schultz was Regehr’s partner during drills at the morning skate, it would seem coach Darryl Sutter will stick with the same line-up he used in Game 5 for tonight’s Game 6.
MORE: Pre-game comments from Dustin Brown can be found here.
Bonus quotes from Kings coach Darryl Sutter:
Q. You said a few days ago you were always aware of Kane; he’s such a dangerous player. What was he able to do in Game 5 that he wasn’t in previous games?
SUTTER: He had the puck a lot more, which is a little bit related to special teams and a lot related to overtime. But he’s a special player. He doesn’t have bad games. He has good games or great games. Had three or four points, I think, so… Great players are going to do that.
Q. A lot of your players were quoted as saying that they didn’t want to get into a track meet style with the Blackhawks; that’s not the way you guys are most effective. Is that something you agree with and would you like to see more of a possession game?
SUTTER: Well, both teams are fast teams. So possession is usually in the transition part of the game where the defensemen get the puck out to the forwards.
Obviously there’s been times where we’ve been better than them, and there’s been times when they’ve been better than us. I don’t think it’s necessarily a track meet. But I think both teams have enough top guys that when they get it, they can make it look like a track meet. I think that’s why when we talked about Drew or Duncan, those guys make that sort of game happen.
