Montreal, Quebec (WGR 550) - Lindy Ruff was short and to the point after Tuesday’s morning skate and wouldn’t confirm any of the changes that were in the skate and likely will be happening for Game 4 in Montreal against the Canadiens. After two straight poor performances, Buffalo trails two games to one.
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen had the net by himself which almost always means that’s the starting goalie.
Luke Schenn was paired with Conor Timmins with Logan Stanley taking rushes with Michael Kesselring as the fourth pair. It looks like Ruff is counting on Schenn’s vast experience to try to help calm the team down. Schenn told me he has played left defense, so being there as a right handed shot isn’t a problem.
Konsta Helenius just turned 20-years-old and it appears Ruff is betting he won’t be bothered by the craziness of the Montreal fans in his first NHL playoff game. Earlier this season the young rookie played his first nine NHL games scoring a goal and three assists. He struggled near the end of that, but said he was a better AHL player when he got back. With the Rochester Americans, Helenius had 21 goals and 41 assists for 62 points in 63 games. One of his regular season games was in Montreal. He also had three points in three AHL playoff games.
Helenius seemed pretty even and calm while he was speaking to the media and he said,
“I’m not thinking anything, I’m just happy I can play and I’m going to show that I can help the team win and play my own game.”
Helenius last played on April 26 when the Amerks were eliminated by the Toronto Marlies. He said there are ways you can keep yourself sharp.
“I just trained hard, just be ready to play whenever it’s happening and now it’s happening, so now I’m ready.”
Luukkonen is 1-1 in this year’s playoffs with a 4.19 goals against and .825 save percentage. In Game 1 against Boston, Luukkonen stopped 17-of-20 in a 4-3 win. In Game 2, he had an excellent first period, but the roof fell in in the second period which included a goal from the red line by Morgan Geekie. Luukkonen was replaced by Alex Lyon after giving up four goals on 20 shots in 40:16 of work. That game was on April 21. Despite not playing in a game, Luukkonen said he’s kept himself ready,
“I’m excited, this part of the year it’s all about winning so I need to go back there and help the team win.
“You know what’s worked to this point and what has been successful this year so I tried to go back to those details, work on that part of your game and just get comfortable with your game.”
Schenn has won Stanley Cups and at age 36, he’s been in this spot waiting for his turn to play,
“It’s experience, it’s not the first time I’ve been in this situation where you’ve got to stay patient and stay ready. It happened to me in Tampa, I don’t think I played at all in the first series, but going in the second series, so I work with the coaches, work with the extras and keep yourself as ready as you can.”
Ruff is sending a message to Ryan McLeod as he’s been dropped down to center Back Malenstyn and Jordan Greenway.
Join 'Schopp and the Bulldog' at 6:00 for the pregame when you'll hear from the incoming players as well as Jason Zucker.
TUESDAY’S LINES:
Krebs - Thompson - Tuch
Benson - Norris - Doan
Zucker - Helenius - Quinn
Greenway - McLeod - Malenstyn
DEFENSE:
Dahlin - Samuelsson
Byram - Power
Schenn - Timmins
Stanley - Kesselring
For Helenius it's his first NHL playoff game
For Helenius it's his first NHL playoff game
