ANAHEIM – One of the things Bruce Boudreau did after taking over as Anaheim Ducks coach was have some inspirational quotes painted on the teams dressing room walls at the Honda Center. Words from Muhammad Ali, Jack Nicklaus, John Wooden, Jerry West, Vince Lombardi and Roy Williams are now there to be viewed by players on a daily basis. Does Boudreau have a favourite saying? "No, I think theyre all good. I think theyre all inspirational and the whole goal of those quotes was, quite frankly, who wrote them," he explained. "It wasnt some normal guy. These guys were champions and they talked about hard work and they were willing to do the hard work and thats how they became champions." Winning has not come easy to Boudreau in the NHL playoffs. His teams have won six division titles and posted a .663 winning percentage in 517 regular-season games, but never advanced past the second round of the post-season. His record in the playoffs as a NHL head coach is 27-28 entering Wednesday nights Game 6 showdown with the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. On Tuesday, the 59-year-old bench boss was asked whats the biggest challenge he faces coaching at this time of year. "Winning," he responded immediately. "The competition is so picked up from the regular season. You watch the pre-season and you go, Wow, this is a really good game, and then the regular season goes on and you go, How can it get any tougher than this? The playoffs come and you think the regular season is a piece of cake compared to what youre going through here. "Its knowing when to practise hard and when not to practise hard, when to make it easy and just keep building them up. Usually youre saying the same message so theyve heard the same message for eight months so you dont want them to get tired of it." The message may be the same, but Boudreau has made a number of changes that have helped turned the tide in his teams second round series against the Kings. "Hes a coach who isnt afraid to make moves in terms of personnel," said Ducks forward Andrew Cogliano. "Hes not a coach that gets set in his ways in terms of the lineup or guys playing in certain positions. He has confidence in guys and hes good with the players in terms of giving them confidence. If hes going to move guys around, hes good at communicating with guys about that. Hes a coach that makes adjustments to other teams." After the Ducks lost the first two games of the series, Boudreau called up defenceman Sami Vatanen from the American Hockey League and played him 20 minutes a night, including on the power play. The Ducks have scored four man-advantage goals in the three games since the Finn was recalled from Norfolk. In general, Vatanen has given the Ducks blue line a different dimension and helped them move the puck more easily against the notoriously stingy Kings. But the adjustments didnt end with Vatanen. In Game 4, Boudreau made the bold decision to start 20-year-old John Gibson, a goalie with zero NHL playoff experience and only three games of regular season experience, over veteran Jonas Hiller, who had won Game 3 in relief of the injured Frederik Andersen. Gibson posted a 28-save shutout in his debut and followed that up with a steady 39-save win on Monday night. After first-line winger Matt Beleskey went down with an injury, Boudreau elevated 21-year-old Devante Smith-Pelly, who had generated some quality chances, but failed to register a point in the series through three games, to the top line alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry. Smith-Pelly has since scored three goals and fired eight shots on net over the last two outings. "I think two things come to mind," said Ducks defenceman Ben Lovejoy when asked what makes Boudreau a good coach. "Just the confidence he gives his players. I know when I first came here that was just eyeopening for me. He puts players in a position where they can be successful and more often than not, playing for him, they are." Lovejoy was traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Ducks for a fifth-round pick during the 2012-13 season. Under Boudreau, he has moved into a top pairing role alongside Cam Fowler. "Then theres his ability to roll four lines and three sets of D," Lovejoy continued. "I think that when youre a defenceman playing nine to 12 minutes a night, you get out there to not make a mistake. Its impossible to have a tight gap when you dont play a lot so we roll four lines, we roll three sets of D and I really think that helps. And, I think, come crunch time, Getzlaf and Perry havent played 26 minutes. Theyre fresh. Theyre ready to go and to carry the rest of the team when the time comes." And while Boudreau is easy for players to like, he is not afraid of making tough calls. In the first round of this years playoffs, Boudreau benched beloved future Hall of Famer Teemu Selanne in Game 4 against the Dallas Stars. It was move that, considering Selannes stature in the game and the dressing room, could have backfired. Instead, the move seemed to spark Selanne, who has two goals against the Kings and picked up an assist in the Game 5 win. "He cares," said Getzlaf, the Ducks captain. "Thats the biggest thing with him. He cares about each of us individually and that makes you want to play harder for him." But the knock against Boudreau has been that he cant get it done in the post-season. Boudreaus Washington Capitals came close to making the conference finals in 2009, pushing the Penguins to Game 7 before ultimately being blown out in the decisive game. "Well, the difference last time was we were down 3-2 going into Game 6 in Pittsburgh and had to win and we did," Boudreau said. "This time, were up 3-2 so I keep telling my wife, Its a different circumstance, so hopefully a different result. "As you go on, the steps get harder and harder and harder and the one thing I have learned in a very brief time is that when they talk about the Cup being the hardest thing to win [theyre right]. I mean, were not even halfway there and [were] realizing how tough it is. This is a heck of a journey you have to make and, again, [youre] trying to keep it fresh, because were not even out of the second round." Last year, the Ducks squandered a 3-2 first-round series lead against the underdog Detroit Red Wings before losing Game 7 on home ice. Getzlaf has noticed that Boudreau has made a subtle change in his approach. "Hes evolved," Getzlaf explained. "Hes done a great job in calming himself down. Bruce tends to get a little wound up at times, emotional in the game and thats good at times." And while Boudreau has managed his emotions better, he is still the same fun-loving guy, who always seems willing to talk hockey with reporters long after the formal media session ends. "I get asked this question a lot and I maintain that youre not going to tell quirky stories about your boss on camera so Im not going to tell them about mine," Lovejoy said with a laugh. "Ive loved playing for Bruce. I think everybody in the locker room does too, but you can ask somebody else for those stories." "At the end of the day, Bruce is a players coach," Cogliano said. "A coach you can approach, talk to and hes up front with you and I think thats why a lot of guys like him." New Jersey Devils Gear . Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB Doug Martin broke the news that hes cleared for full activity moving forward. Stefan Noesen Jersey . The Sochi organizing committee said in Fridays statement that the torch relay reached the North Pole on Oct. 19. Russian Polar explorer Artur Chilingarov, who led the mission, lit a special bowl at the North Pole sign. http://www.officialdevilsfanstore.com/authentic-keith-kinkaid-devils-jersey/ .Y. - Lou Williams scored 21 points and the Toronto Raptors beat New York 81-76 on Monday night in the Knicks preseason home opener. Eric Tangradi Jersey .J. -- Rampage Jackson scowled, howled, then bellowed to the crowd: "Im back! Im back!" With rebuilt knees and a new promotion, Jackson might have one more act left in MMA. Sami Vatanen Jersey . Iwakuma pitched seven strong innings to stay unbeaten in road games since last July, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 5-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night.NEW YORK -- With Brian Gionta gone the Montreal Canadiens need a new captain -- and there is no shortage of candidates. A pair of 25-year-old stars, 2013 Norris Trophy-winning defenceman P.K. Subban and U.S. Olympic forward Max Pacioretty, each said theyd love to wear the "C" beginning this season. Veteran defenceman Andrei Markov and veteran centre Tomas Plekanec are also considered among the top possibilities. Subban, one of the faces of the franchise along with goaltender Carey Price, recently signed a US$72-million, eight-year contract after going to arbitration as a restricted free agent. At the NHL/NHLPA player media tour Tuesday, he made a case for why he should be the captain. "I think that Id embrace it," Subban said. "Added responsibility to me makes a player better, and I think Ive accomplished a lot in a short time in this league and Ive earned the respect of my peers and my opponents to command the respect that a captain deserves. I really believe that Ive earned a lot of respect in this league, both on and off the ice." In addition to the Norris during the lockout-shortened season, Subban has now played 284 NHL games and won a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics as Team Canadas eighth defenceman. He added that he sees a captain as someone whos "able to perform on the ice and bring it for their teammates in ... the toughest moments." Pacioretty similarly jumped at the notion of succeeding Gionta as captain. "I think anyone who wants to be a leader on their team would want to be a captain of a team, especially with a franchise with such history like that," said Pacioretty, who added that hed be completely on board if the team went in another direction. During an EA Sports demo event last week in Toronto, the NHL15 video game had the "C" on Paciorettys chest. "I was joking around I think someone at EA Sports deserves a promotion for doing that," Pacioretty said with a smile. "I didnt know about that before. But its cool." Asked at the player media tour in New York who he thought should be captain if it wasnt him, Pacioretty stumped for Markov, the Russian defenceman who is going into his 14th season in Montreal and is signed for three more years. "Hes a guy that leads by example, and hes been around Montreal for a while," Pacioretty said. "Behind closed doors hes one of the hardest workers Ive seen and I think that goes a long way, especially with some of the young guys, as well." Gionta had been captain since the start of the 2010-11 season, replacing the longest-serving player in that job, Saku Koivu. Koivu, the captain from 1999 through 2009, announced his retirement Wednesday after an 18-year NHL career. "I feel I was truly lucky to have a chance to play for the legendary Canadiens for so many years and serve as captain, and share that great honour with many truly legendary captains from before my time," Koivu said in a statement. Gionta, who left in free agency to sign a US$12.75-million, three-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres, pointed to Plekanec, fourth-liner Travis Moen and Price as big voices in the locker room. "Those are the guys that are kind of going to bridge that gap to the younger core thats coming up now," Gionta said. The Habs could feature an entirely neww leadership group, as alternate captain Josh Gorges was traded to the Sabres.dddddddddddd Markov wore the other "A" last season. Montreal is one of seven teams without a captain going into training camp, along with the Ottawa Senators, Sabres, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, Florida Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets. A year after Daniel Alfredsson left Ottawa for Detroit, the Senators will have their second captain in two seasons after trading Jason Spezza to the Dallas Stars. Defenceman Erik Karlsson reiterated Tuesday hed gladly accept that honour and figures to be in the discussion along with Chris Phillips and Chris Neil. Karlsson lived with Alfredsson, who was captain from 1999 through 2013, but said he doesnt think hell mimic his friends style. "I will never be the same leader as Alfie was," Karlsson said. "He had his own way and Jason Spezza had his own way and Chris Neil and Chris Phillips and all the other guys have their own ways, as well. Everybodys a little bit different. But I think just being around such a good group of guys, hopefully that can help me develop as a player and as a person and as a leader for the better." Buffalo went with co-captains to start the 2013-14 season and subsequently traded Thomas Vanek and Steve Ott. Gionta said there has been no talk of assuming that role with the Sabres. "You dont go to a place with the expectation or the hope that something like thats going to happen," Gionta said. "You go in, you try to integrate yourself with the players that are there and try to learn from them whats going on." New York made it to the Stanley Cup final without a captain after trading Ryan Callahan to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Rangers most senior alternate, Brad Richards, was bought out and signed with the Chicago Blackhawks, leaving defencemen Ryan McDonagh, Dan Girardi, Marc Staal and wingers Rick Nash and Martin St. Louis as the most likely replacements. Sharks coach Todd McLellan recently told San Jose reporters that Joe Thornton wouldnt be the captain and Patrick Marleau wouldnt be an alternate at least at the beginning of camp, calling it a "fresh slate" of leadership. Centre Logan Couture or forward Joe Pavelski figure to be in the hunt. Florida used a compliance buyout on captain Ed Jovanovski. The young Panthers, if they choose to name a replacement, could turn to defenceman Brian Campbell or hand the reins to one of the kids, like Jonathan Huberdeau or Nick Bjugstad. The Blue Jackets havent had a captain since trading Nash to New York in the summer of 2012. In no rush to sew a "C" on someones jersey, Columbus -- which rotated alternates between Brandon Dubinsky, Jack Johnson and others -- could go without yet again. Assuming the Habs go the traditional route, Subban hopes he gets the nod. After signing a face-of-the-franchise contract in early August, the Toronto native said he didnt want the coaching staff or teammates to view him differently and repeated that this week, captaincy or not. "I want people to see me as a player that competes hard, is respectful, thats trustworthy and thats a leader," Subban said. "Thats what I want people to see me for." 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