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Schmidt on "Last Jedi," Defends Episodes I-III; Miller Remembers Stothers |
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Sheng Peng
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ANAHEIM -- After three days off, the Golden Knights are jumping right back into the fire tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. Ryan Kesler, who missed the first 37 games of the year while rehabbing from hip surgery, will be making his season debut.
John Gibson will take the crease for the home team. For Vegas, Malcolm Subban starts; Marc-Andre Fleury should get Los Angeles tomorrow night. There will be no other line-up changes, as Luca Sbisa and William Carrier are still working their way back into the line-up.
In the meanwhile, I caught up with Nate Schmidt and asked him about the subtle differences between playing Ryan Getzlaf/Kesler as opposed to his recent handling of another big, skilled forward in Evgeni Malkin. A big Star Wars fan, he also reviews "Last Jedi" and defends Episodes I-III.
Also, I spoke with Colin Miller about his increased role recently -- with Sbisa's absence, for the first time in his NHL career, Miller has absorbed some regular time on the PK. And since the Knights are taking on the Kings tomorrow, I asked Miller his memories of Mike Stothers. The current Ontario Reign head coach led Miller, who was developed by the Los Angeles organization, and the 2015 Manchester Monarchs to the Calder Cup.
"His total game has gotten a lot better from day one this season. He works hard, he competes hard," noted Gerard Gallant about Miller's increased responsibility. "Ryan McGill gave him an opportunity to take a bigger role. That's what we need from our players, everybody gets a chance to grow."
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Nate Schmidt
HockeyBuzz: Tonight, Ryan Kesler returns to the line-up. What are some of the subtle differences between matching up against Kesler/Getzlaf and the other big, skilled forwards you've handled recently like Malkin?
Nate Schmidt: We haven't had a chance to play Getzlaf this year either.
Haven't been able to face these guys with their full line-up. Wherever they are in the standings right now, I still believe they're going to be there at the end of the year. They're one of the better teams.
With those two guys in particular, and now you add Henrique in there as well, a lot of skill players, a lot of guys who can play a lot of different styles. Getzlaf, big guy, can play a skill game, play a physical game, same way with Kesler and Henrique.
Poses a little bit of a challenge for us defensively, knowing there's really no time off. Shifts where you think, maybe I can push the pace a little more, I can sit back a little more, you have to stay even-keel against this group.
HB: So the approach is kind of the same as with a Malkin?
NS: Yeah, you have to. Not a lot of time to really revel in the excitement about playing in the d-zone. That's the biggest part of our game, keep them out of our d-zone, make them play in the neutral zone, make them play in their d-zone longer. Just grind them down. That's the way we've been playing.
HB: And have you seen "Last Jedi"?
NS: I went opening night. I loved it.
HB: I did too! I went right after the Pittsburgh game, 1 AM showing.
NS: Okay, I didn't do that. I went on the 15th.
HB: Well, you were busier than me on the night of the 14th.
NS: I freaking loved it. They did a great job honoring the past. And also separating from it, so they could move on.
HB: Can you defend Star Wars, Episodes I-III? "Phantom Menace" on?
NS: Yes.
HB: Aw, geez. This interview's over.
NS: That's okay. I am a sequel empathizer. People were mad at "Hangover II," I was like, you can't do anything different, it's called "The Hangover." I go into sequels or next movies with zero expectations.
So that's the reason why I liked them. I mean, I don't love them. But I still watch them if they're on TV.
HB: Okay. Hmm.
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Colin Miller
HockeyBuzz: When your game is right, what's happening?
Colin Miller: Just keeping it simple. Move my feet. I think when I try to get too complicated, I get in a little bit of trouble.
HB: Of course, your offensive game is your forte. On the defensive side, what do you focus on?
CM: Just gaps. If I have a good gap, we can normally shut them down. Little things. Breaking the puck out. You don't have to worry about your end once you get the puck out, right? Be aware of the assignments, the players you're playing against.
HB: You're playing a bit more PK these days, first time in your NHL career. How has that been?
CM: It's nice to get that opportunity. Just trying to keep it simple. It's more about blocking shots and how to get sticks in the lane, stuff like that.
HB: What's sort of the adjustment you have to make, playing the PK? You have to do a lot of shoulder checking because you guys are down a man?
CM: Yeah, just little things. It's really just important the stick, you got to have a good stick. Make sure it's in those lanes. With the backside there, a lot of teams are good at finding that guy. You just have to be really aware.
HB: What are your memories of Mike Stothers?
CM: Stuttsy... (laughs) Oh, man. Great guy. He'll tell you when you did something wrong, that's for sure. I had a great time with him. We won that championship in Manchester.
He was really, really good for me. He was on me. At first, it was a little bit of an eye-opener for me. But he really did help my career, to be dialed in and focused every game. That was something that he really made sure of.
He tried to get the best out of player. And he did a great job with me.
He tells it like it is, which a lot of players can respect. If you're not really sure what the coach is thinking of you, it's tough to know what to give him. He did a good job of (laughs) telling you like it is.
HB: What's your favorite Stutts story?
CM: Oh, man.
He was always really quick to get on the guys. But he was a good character guy.
We were practicing one time, I let a guy go around me. It might have been a one-on-one or rush drill. He stopped the practice and gave it to me for a little bit. The next drill, the next time, I threw my hip out and knocked down [the forward]. So he stopped practice again and gave me some good praise. (laughs)
He was always quick to give it to us one way, but he wouldn't shy away from telling you something good.
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