Yeo, Hitchcock Bring Differing Coaching Styles To Playoffs
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) -- In the middle of this series between the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues are two different coaches.
Both understand their teams, but as Mike Max reports, Ken Hitchcock appears unfazed by a 2-1 deficit. Mike Yeo has grown up as an NHL coach in front of the Wild fans' eyes.
He is assuming a button-down approach to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, even with St. Louis seeming to bait his team. It's bait the team and the coach won't take.
"We dismiss it and we get ready for the next game," Yeo said. "We did our job last night and now we have to get ready to do our job again tomorrow night."
On the other bench is a salty veteran who has been down these roads before. When his teams have struggled of late, on the road in the playoffs, what's his message to his team? Stay calm and win just one game.
His Blues held an optional skate Tuesday afternoon. His thoughts on where the series is at: Well, right where they want it.
"Look we came here to win a hockey game. We win the game tomorrow, we got home ice," Hitchcock said.
And he knows what his team needs.
"Messier, Gretzky. I'll take an Anderson, Curry is fine," Hitchcock said.
He gets the accusations of, shall we say, physical play.
"Hits aren't relevant. I think you're talking us running them over, not relevant," Hitchcock said. "Every player in the NHL takes a hit in the playoffs, it doesn't matter. You just get up."
Yes, he understands the playoffs. Just don't ask him if he's going to change his lines for Game 4.
"You've got to stop asking me those questions. Because you're going to end this press conference and I'm in a good mood right now so you better be real careful," Hitchcock said.
