Getty Images It’s expected Mike Knuble will be a healthy scratch for the third straight game when the Capitals host the Sharks tonight.
No surprise, then, that the 39-year-old was rather blunt in explaining how it feels to be benched at such a key point of the season.
“It sucks, quite frankly, to be sitting out and missing games and watching your team play,” Knuble told ABC7 Washington. ”It’s the best time of year to play.”
Knuble — the oldest player on Washington’s roster — seems to have run afoul of head coach Dale Hunter, who is only 12 years older than his assistant captain (the two actually played against each other in 1997-98.) Knuble said he spoke with his coach about why he was a healthy scratch the last two games with the coach replying, “You haven’t scored in a while, bad plus-minus.”
It’ll be curious to see what Washington does with Knuble as the trade deadline nears. The Toronto Sun speculated San Jose could be a good fit becuase of his history from playing in Boston with Joe Thornton, but whatever the case, it feels like Knuble will have to go before this situation becomes too big a distraction. Even though Knuble’s production has fallen through the floor, he’s a key, vocal presence on the team (remember his speech from 24/7?) and likely won’t stay quiet if he continues to be a healthy scratch.
“You never accept it, say ‘fine’ and sweep it under the rug and wake up tomorrow,” Knuble said. “You never accept it.
“When you do, as a player, then it’s over.”
-
Scuderi on Kovalchuk and Parise: “Anytime we can keep those guys off the score sheet, we’ve got a chance to win”
May 31, 2012, 12:50 AM EDT
Getty Images
While one player was apparent, another had a miserable game.
-
Brown on Prudential Center ice: “It was like playing with a tennis ball, quite honestly”
May 31, 2012, 12:43 AM EDT
Getty Images
“It was like playing with a tennis ball, quite honestly.”
-
Getty Images
It might be tough to keep his team from getting a little cocky.
-
Getty Images
A sign of things to come?
-
Getty Images
There’s a little bit more to this game-winning goal, though.
-
Devils coach: “I don’t believe we deserved to win that game”
May 31, 2012, 12:15 AM EDT
Getty Images
Some New Jersey players called it the team’s worst performance of 2012 playoffs.
-
Kopitar on beating Brodeur for game-winner: “World class goaltender, but I think I got the best of it tonight”
May 31, 2012, 12:13 AM EDT
He became the first King to score a Stanley Cup finals OT goal in the process.
-
Getty Images
The vast majority of Game 1 winners have gone on to hoist the Stanley Cup.
-
What they’re saying about Game 1 of the 2012 Stanley Cup finals
May 30, 2012, 11:49 PM EDT
Getty Images
Even Tommy Lasorda shared his thoughts.
-
Video: Parise gloves in go-ahead goal, officials wave it off
May 30, 2012, 11:49 PM EDT
The Devils had a key third-period lead…and then they didn’t.
-
Discuss: Kings’ road dominance continues, beat Devils 2-1 in OT
May 30, 2012, 11:24 PM EDT
Anze Kopitar wins it midway through the first extra session.
-
Getty Images
Win or lose, we’ll probably see him playing with New Jersey in 2012-13.
-
Getty Images
NHL commish supports Isles owner Charles Wang’s efforts.
-
Blue Jackets on No. 2 pick: “We’re doing everything in our power to get it right”
May 30, 2012, 9:45 PM EDT
Getty Images
They might just be drafting the new face of their franchise,after all.
-
Getty Images
Check out the five minute interview with the NHL commissioner.
-
PHT Live Chat — Stanley Cup finals Game 1: Los Angeles at New Jersey
May 30, 2012, 9:13 PM EDT
Getty Images
Chat with PHT’s Mike Halford and Jason Brough throughout the game.
-
Getty Images
A fun video feature from NBC’s experts.
-
AP
“It’s the right way to play.”
-
Getty Images
The goal is for Hossa to be back by training camp.
-
Getty Images
Despite reports to the contrary, the deadline is not July 1 to refinance or settle their debt.
NHL Playoffs Channel Finder
