June 1, 2012, Los Angeles Kings-New Jersey Devils Stanley Cup Final off day notebook for HockeyPrimeTime.com

Stanley Cup Final Notebook: Fourth lines to play large role

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	Written by Denis Gorman
Friday, June 01, 2012 01:11
Role players are key for every successful team. On the Kings and Devils, however, they are appearing to be more important than most. NEWARK, N.J. — Much of the talk prior to Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final centered around the New Jersey Devils’ fourth line of Stephen Gionta, Ryan Carter and Steve Bernier. What was learned before, during and after the Los Angeles Kings’ 2-1 overtime win was that L.A.’s fourth line of Colin Fraser, Jordan Nolan and Brad Richardson are pretty good in their own right. The Kings’ grind line was a cumulative plus-three with two points – a goal and an assist – along with five hits. The trio played strong along the boards and was able to use their forecheck to keep plays alive in the offensive zone. “I don't call them our fourth line,” Los Angeles coach Darryl Sutter said in his media availability Thursday afternoon. “I call it Colin Fraser and whoever is playing with him. So if they're on, they can play against anybody. “If you look at it, the (Fraser series-opening) goal last night was against (Travis Zajac's) line. I'm confident whoever is playing with Fraser as long as they're doing the job. There [are] nights where maybe the other team is playing their top line or their top two lines more and you got to be careful. But at the same time, it's still about performance and the quality play. Last night worked out.” *****   Henrik Tallinder is ready, willing and able to contribute to the Devils’ cause. It a just a matter when Pete DeBoer decides to activate the veteran defenseman. This is according to Tallinder, who has not played since Jan. 17 due to the discovery of a blood clot in his right leg “I'm good,” Tallinder said. “I'm ready. The coach has to make the call. “But, as I said, I feel physically fine. I don't have any issues. I've been practicing for two, three weeks now, and I feel good. I mean, if I get the chance, it's a dream come true. This is where you want to play.” Tallinder was minus-11 with six assists in 39 games this season. ***** Wholesale alterations are unnecessary. That was the view espoused by the Devils after losing their third straight Game 1 this playoff season. Who can argue that point? The Devils are, after all, the Eastern Conference Champions despite having lost Game 1 to Atlantic Division rivals Philadelphia and the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference semifinals and Eastern Conference finals. So why would they reinvent the wheel after Wednesday night’s 2-1 overtime loss in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final? “I don't think significant changes were made,” Ryan Carter said about the differences between the Games 1 and 2 of the Flyers and Rangers series. “[We] learned from the games [and] moved forward. “We've been tested throughout [these] playoffs in situations where we've been behind in series. I anticipate this being no different. We learn from that last game [and] move forward. We've got confidence in that locker room. I think that will hopefully show next game.” You can follow us on Twitter @HockeyPrimeTime and @DenisGorman. Photos by Getty Images

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