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Stanley Cup Finals Notebook Devils scratch Daneyko for Game 1, play TverdovskyPosted: Tuesday May 27, 2003 8:13 PMUpdated: Wednesday May 28, 2003 3:15 AM EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Ken Daneyko has become quite familiar with the disappointment of not playing. Each time he gets scratched from the lineup, however, is more and more difficult for him to take. On Tuesday, he didn't play for New Jersey in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals against Anaheim.
"It's tough in every situation, but it's real difficult now," Daneyko said in hushed tones Tuesday morning after he got the bad news. "It's the Stanley Cup finals and you want to be in. But you always want to be in." Daneyko played the first 165 playoff games in Devils history, but that streak ended when coach Pat Burns removed him from the lineup in Game 4 of the first round against Boston. The 39-year-old defenseman was back the next game and stayed in the lineup for seven straight contests. But after the first game of the conference finals against Ottawa, Burns again sat Daneyko. This time the benching lasted until Game 6. Daneyko played well in that one and in the deciding Game 7 on Friday while paired with Tommy Albelin, but it wasn't enough to stay in the lineup. Burns went with former Duck Tverdovsky in Game 1. "I think it's a challenge for him with his ex-teammates," Burns said. "We feel Oleg can move the puck quicker and give us something maybe on the power play." Tverdovsky joined Daneyko on the sidelines following the opener against Ottawa and hasn't played since. While Daneyko was surprised by the move, he wasn't about to question it publicly. "Me and Abbie against Tampa, we were playing very well and then they switched it back," Daneyko said. "It's worked, so who am I to complain. We're trying to do whatever it takes to win each game. Things change in a hurry here and it's been like that all year and in the playoffs." Daneyko feels he will be in the lineup before this series ends. He plans to do whatever he can to help his teammates off the ice. When he gets the call to go back in, he vows to be ready. "You just try to be supportive," he said. "We've used everybody and everybody's contributed and that's the great thing." Ducks shoot blanksThe Anaheim Mighty Ducks know that 16 shots aren't enough to beat most teams, let alone the New Jersey Devils in the Stanley Cup finals. The Mighty Ducks have been rewriting their playoff record book this year in a positive sense. But they've now topped their previous playoff-worst shot total of 20 twice. Anaheim was shut out for the first time in the playoffs. "They blocked the puck very well and took time and space away," said forward Paul Kariya, who had just one shot in the game. "I just have to get it off quicker and get it on net." The Mighty Ducks have been held to two goals or fewer in nine of their 15 games this postseason and are behind in a series for the first time. Anaheim had a record-low 15 shots in a 4-1 loss to Dallas in Game 5 of the second round. This victory gave Devils goalie Martin Brodeur his fifth shutout this postseason and 18th in his career. It was his first in the finals. "We wanted to get off to a good start," Brodeur said. "I know we played well, but I'm sure there is some room for improvement." Mighty Ducks use Cup picture for inspirationOn the wall of the visiting locker room in New Jersey, the Anaheim Mighty Ducks have mounted items to provide inspiration. A large, framed picture of the Stanley Cup adorns the wall closest to the doorway. Under it is a signed goalie stick that commemorates Anaheim's surprising playoff run. The white stick has three pucks attached to the shaft -- one with the logo of the Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim's first playoff victim; next is one with the crest of the Dallas Stars, victim No. 2; and the third bearing the logo of the Minnesota Wild -- the loser in the Western Conference finals. At the top, near the knob of the stick is an empty space. It is reserved for one more puck -- that of the New Jersey Devils. Nieuwendyk out for Game 1The Devils were without center Joe Nieuwendyk, who missed Game 1 because of a "lower body injury" that limited him to three shifts in Game 7 of the conference finals. Nieuwendyk received treatment on Tuesday morning and is day-to-day. Sergei Brylin replaced him on a line with Brian Gionta and Jeff Friesen. For the fourth time in these playoffs, all in the past seven games, Friesen notched the game-winning goal. He sealed the victory with an empty-netter. Gabbing goaliesLike pitchers on the days they take the mound, goalies tend not to talk before games. You can throw out that tradition when it comes to New Jersey's Martin Brodeur and Anaheim's Jean-Sebastien Giguere. They had plenty to say in the hours leading up to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. A lot of what they were talking about was the man in the opposing net. "I'm not facing Marty," said Giguere, who stopped 476 of 496 shots in his first 14 career playoff games -- all this year. "It's about me. I can't control what Marty does." Brodeur has had his time occupied by people wanting to know what has made Giguere so good in these playoffs. So good, in fact, that he has overshadowed Brodeur, a two-time champion who has a 1.62 goals-against average in the playoffs. "I've been answering questions about this guy since the first game he played against Detroit," Brodeur said. "It's unbelievable how much press the guy is getting. "It's well deserved," Brodeur said. "I don't think he comes in through the back door. I think he's a guy who was solid all year and tremendous in the playoffs." Brodeur went through something similar two years ago when he and the Devils faced Colorado and his childhood idol Patrick Roy. The Devils netminder said he is not concerned that the spotlight is not as hot on him. "It happens a lot to me. But that's all right," Brodeur said. Net gainsThere was a familiar face at Continental Airlines Arena for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. Although New Jersey Nets coach Byron Scott is much more recognizable on the NBA sidelines as opposed to the stands at a hockey game. Scott attended his first NHL game Tuesday as he waited to find out who the Nets will face in the NBA Finals. That series won't begin until June 4, so for now, he's just enjoying the time off. A request to Lou Lamoriello, the chief executive of both the Nets and Devils, made it possible for Scott and his wife to be in attendance. "I even think I shocked him," Scott said. "I said: 'I would love to come to the Devils game.' He said, 'Really?' I said 'Yeah.' Those guys have been supporting us. I would love to come see a hockey game. I heard it's much more exciting in person." NotesTeams winning Game 1 of the finals have won 50 of the 64 times since the best-of-seven format started in 1939. ... Devils goalie Martin Brodeur earned his third career playoff point when he assisted on Jeff Friesen's empty-net goal. ... The Mighty Ducks didn't equal the 1995 Devils' feat of winning four Game 1s on the road in one year. ... New Jersey's Scott Stevens tied Larry Robinson for most playoff games by a defenseman at 227. |
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