Dein erstes Forum » to make the team. Obviously it is every kids dream

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. Vegas Golden Knights Gear . -- Drew Doughty had just played more than 39 minutes in a double-overtime playoff game, and he still couldnt sleep on the Kings flight back to Los Angeles. The Western Conference finals have ascended to a new level of tension after the Blackhawks dodged Los Angeles first attempt to eliminate them. Chicago trimmed its series deficit to 3-2 in an extra-time thriller in Game 5, while the Kings got a sleepless trip home. Los Angeles gets another chance to advance in Game 6 on Friday night. While the Kings have been incredible in elimination games this spring, Doughty realizes they cant sleep on the opportunity before them at Staples Center. "We know we cant let it go to a Game 7," Doughty said Thursday at the Kings training complex. "No matter what, this game has to be ours. Its so important for us to advance to the Stanley Cup Final that we win this game. If we give them this game, theyre going to have so much more life, and theyre going to be a different team. We need to take that and deal with it." Doughtys fellow Kings largely agreed with the star defencemans pointed declarations as they recovered from their worst defensive performance in 16 games. Jonathan Quick and the NHLs best defensive team gave up five goals to the Blackhawks, who survived despite Corey Crawfords fourth straight unimpressive effort in Chicagos net. Los Angeles, which blew a lead heading to the third period for the first time this spring, has mostly downplayed the notion of payback for last seasons conference finals loss to Chicago. But Doughty thinks it should be on the Kings minds before what might be the defining game of their season. "They know how to win," Doughty said. "We also know that they took our Cup back from us last year, so now its our turn. We want to eliminate this team. They eliminated us last year, and its our turn to return the favour. We need to go into Staples believing that we can eliminate this team, and do just that." While Doughty attempts to keep the Kings focused on Game 6, the Blackhawks intend to remember what got them off the canvas in Game 5 after the previous seven periods of the series were largely dominated by Los Angeles. Before Game 5, the Blackhawks curiously insisted all the pressure in the series rested on the Kings, not the team facing three straight elimination games. Whether the facile psychological ploy helped or not, the champions still seem to think Los Angeles is the team in trouble. "We want to stay with the mentality that were putting all the pressure on them," Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said before the clubs flight to the West Coast. "Its going to be tough for them to close it out and win that fourth game against us." But the road has been tough on the Blackhawks, who are just 2-6 away from home in the post-season. Chicago was outscored 9-5 and beaten convincingly twice at Staples Center in this series, showing little of the offensive potency that got them to this point. Coach Joel Quenneville made another round of lineup adjustments to spark his team, and the Blackhawks had immediate success teaming Brandon Saad, Patrick Kane and Andrew Shaw on a new line for Game 5. Kane, a ghost for much of the series, contributed four assists. "We have our backs against the wall here and face elimination, but were staying relaxed," said Saad, who had three points. "Weve been through it before, and it definitely helps. Weve had success on the road before, and L.A. is definitely tough, but were not going to let that end the season. We cant make any excuses whether were playing at home or away." The Kings spent much of the past month avoiding playoff elimination, already winning six games with their season in the balance, so they can appreciate the Blackhawks resilience. Chicago produced a three-goal first period and a third-period tying goal before Michal Handzus overtime winner capped one of the most entertaining NHL post-season games in recent history. Back home for Game 6, the Kings want their own defining victory. "I think for the fans, it was unbelievable to watch," said Marian Gaborik, who scored his 11th goal of a spectacular post-season. "But for us, it wasnt the type of game we want to play. You know, trade chances, trade odd-man rushes. "I think were going to have a lot of energy (in Game 6). If we win, we can be in the Stanley Cup Final. That itself should give you plenty of energy." Custom Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys .C. -- Benn Ferrieros familiar with scoring important goals, just not in back-to-back games. Wholesale Golden Knights Jerseys . With the Pirates in the thick of the race in the NL Central, the timing couldnt be better. Liriano struck out a season-high 11 in seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this season and Pittsburgh beat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Tuesday night. https://www.cheapgoldenknights.com/ . Casey Janssen was placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday due to a strain in his left abdominal area and lower back.MISSISSAUGA, Ont. -- Sam Bennett isnt accustomed to being last in anything. First among North American skaters in NHL Central Scoutings final 2014 draft rankings, the Kingston Frontenacs centre finished dead-last in one category during Saturdays fitness testing at the annual combine. Bennett couldnt do a single pull-up. "I was definitely disappointed with myself," Bennett said. "I was wanting to do the best I can in every test. But, I guess, ultimately games arent won or lost if you can do a pull-up in the gym." Bennett likely wont take much of a hit from being 12 pull-ups behind the leaders. If anything, his showing could help whichever team takes him early in the first round June 27 in Philadelphia. "The fact that he can play the game the way he plays the game, I think the teams feel that hes a pretty complete package," NHL Central Scouting director Dan Marr said. "This is what the whole combines about: The team thats going to get Sam Bennett knows what work lies ahead and theyll be able to put him on the proper path for development." Bennett finished ahead of Barrie defenceman Aaron Ekblad, Kootenay centre Sam Reinhart and two other potential top picks, Prince Albert winger Leon Draisaitl and Oshawa winger Michael Dal Colle because of what he developed into on the ice. With his fathers favourite player, Doug Gilmour, overseeing his progress as Kingstons general manager, the Holland Landing, Ont., native had 36 goals and 55 assists in 57 OHL games this past season. But just like with pull-ups, Bennett doesnt want to be defined by numbers alone. "I think (what sets me apart) really just a combination of my hockey sense along with my compete level," he said. "I think I compete as hard, if not harder, than anyone else." Bennett isnt the only one trying to compete to go first overall, or in the top five, the first round or in the draft, period. Over a hundred fellow prospects joined him at this weeks combine with the aim of impressing NHL teams. Well before the physical grind that was Saturdays fitness testing, players gathered outside of Toronto to meet with NHL teams. Marr likened the entire process to a giant conveyor belt as these teenagers went through the mental trials of often answering the same questions over and over. Most dont mind it. Top European skater Kasperi Kapanen -- son of former NHL forward Sami -- called it "natural&quoot; to sit around and talk to people, and Draisaitl didnt want to downplay the week, either. Vegas Golden Knights Shirts. "I think its really important for them to know what kind of a guy I am and how I work off the ice," said Draisaitl, the only German-born player at the combine. "Thats a really important part of it. Its not only everything about the ice." Teams have spent countless hours watching these players on the ice, and thats not what the combine is about. Despite talk among general managers about adding on-ice testing, there is nothing of the sort, and individual teams arent allowed to invite prospects to their cities to skate. At the annual GM meeting in March, commissioner Gary Bettman said there was some discussion to see "what needs to be done to make the combine as effective as possible." After consultation with strength coaches, Marr said that new, more "dynamic" tests were put in this year to better gauge players physical abilities. One change was pull-ups replacing push-ups because it meant players had to lift their own body weight. While Bennett couldnt do one, Brandon centre Jayce Hawryluk and Czech winger David Pastrnak each did 12. Of course that doesnt necessarily mean theyll be better players, or that theyre closer to being NHL-ready. "This isnt a pass or fail type of test," Marr said. "It just allows the NHL teams to see where these players are in their current state of development." Bennett, who turns 18 in June, conceded that hell need to work on his upper-body strength in the gym this summer. As Marr knows, thats not unusual for junior-aged players. "(At age) 17, 18, 19, if you go back in history with some of the players in the game, theyll find that there was one summer that really made a difference in their physical development," he said. "So maybe at this stage he just hasnt had that summer of development, and itll come." By then, Bennett will more than likely be a top-five pick. If he goes first to the Florida Panthers -- or whoever makes that selection -- itll be clear that on-ice potential is worth tons more than a lack of pull-ups. "It would be pretty special," Bennett said. "At the end of the day it is just a number, and everyones going to be in the same spot come training camp, trying to make the team. Obviously it is every kids dream to go as high as they can get into the NHL." ' ' '