Stankoven of Stars talks Avs, Oilers, Canucks, bumping slump, Stanky Leg

Stankoven racked up six points, including three goals, in the series and broke a 21-game scoring drought in Game 3, registering two goals in a 4-1 win over hometown Colorado.

The Stars will square off against either the Vancouver Canucks or Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final, with their series heading to Game 7 on Monday (May 20) in Vancouver.

Stankoven spoke on Sunday (May 19) via Zoom from his hotel room in the Lonestar State to reporter Marty Hastings of CFJC Today.

Here’s the transcript from the question-and-answer session:

MH: What are the main differences between playoff hockey and regular season hockey in the NHL?

LS: Just the intensity, speed and physicality of the game. It’s fast-paced out there. You’ve got to keep your head up. I’ve had a few big hits given to me. It’s part of the game. I’m really enjoying myself so far. All the guys have been really good. We’ve just got to keep everything rolling here.

MH: Three goals and six points in these playoffs and all in that last series, so what did you start to figure out?

LS: Just going to the net a bit more, trying to hold onto pucks more and make plays. As you get deeper into playoffs, you can kind of build some more confidence. I didn’t really know what to expect coming into the first few games, especially against Vegas, the defending [Stanley] Cup champs. They had a really good squad and it was such a tight series, tight-checking, but it was nice to find the scoresheet this series.

MH: You grow up watching some of these games that go into double or triple OT, but what’s it actually like to be part of a marathon playoff game in the NHL?

LS: It’s pretty cool. In the moment, you’re pretty tired, but looking back on it, it’s a lot of fun. I remember as a kid, staying up late and watching double OT, triple OT. Those are always fun games and it kind of keeps you on the edge of your seat. Really cool to be a part of it and it’s nice to be on the winning side, too.

MH: What did going down 2-0 in the Vegas series and being able to come back do for your team?

LS: It just builds confidence. There wasn’t really any panic in the room when we went down 2-0. There is so much trust in the guys and the leadership is really good, a lot of veteran guys you can lean on. It was all positivity. We knew that if we could win that Game 3 in Vegas, we could plant some doubt in their minds and that’s what we were able to do

MH: Game 3 in the Avalanche series, with two goals, did it feel like you were ready to break through?

LS: I was talking to a few guys before the game. I felt like I was doing all the right things. I just couldn’t find the back of the net. That night, it was nice to pop one in early. It had been a long time coming and I was on a bit of a scoring drought there. I was just trying to make sure I was doing the right things to put myself in the right spot to score and make plays and, sure enough, it came.

MH: How are you watching this Edmonton-Vancouver series as a student, knowing it could go either way and who you may match up with?

LS: It’s just about paying attention to how each team plays and what their style is. The way I see it is I think Edmonton’ s a bit quicker and maybe a bit more skilled, but Vancouver’s right up there, too, but I think their physicality makes up for it. Vancouver’s got some bigger guys and they seem to throw the body around. It’s a tight series going to Game 7. I’ll be watching that tomorrow night. It will be cool, knowing you’re playing in Canada for the away games.

MH: Do you think your team matches up better with either of those teams?

LS: I don’t think with either team there is a benefit. At this point in playoffs, the difference between each team is so small.

MH: If it is Vancouver, what do you make of the chance of playing a Western Conference Final series against your home-province team in this crazy first year for you?

LS: It would be really exciting. I got to play that one game [in Vancouver] toward the end of the season. Lots of friends and family came down. It was quite the load of support. I’m not too sure if I’ll be expecting that again or not, but I’m sure close family will be looking to come out.

MH: If it is the Oilers, what do you make of the opportunity to go toe to toe with some of the best players in the world?

LS: It would be a great challenge, similar to this Colorado series. You’ve got Makar and MacKinnon and Rantanen. You’ve got to make sure you keep your eyes on them and try and shut them down. We’d have to adjust to those guys, McDavid and Draisaitl, really skilled players. It wouldn’t be easy, but we were able to do it this past series, so I’m sure we’ll be ready for the next challenge.

MH: I saw the TNT interview with Anson Carter, Henrik Lundqvist and Biz. They were having some fun with you and your nickname. What did you make of that?

LS: Yeah, it’s surreal to see yourself on there with those guys. Some pretty cool players who have played in the league and they’re joking around with you. It’s pretty funny. I think the nickname thing was pretty funny, them calling me Stanky Leg or whatever.

MH: Why doesn’t [Stars’ head coach] Pete DeBoer like Stank?

LS: I’m not too sure. He hasn’t really said. I think he just likes Tank better, but Stank or Stanky has kind of been my nickname my whole life growing up. Most of the guys call me Stank, but some guys call me Tank. It’s kind of a mix.

MH: I know you’re not in a retrospective mood, but are you able to appreciate how far you’ve come in such a short time frame? You’re a series away from the Stanley Cup Final after playing in the AHL earlier this season?

LS: Yeah, I’m really thankful to get this opportunity. When I did get called up, my goal was to stick around and make sure I didn’t get sent back down. If I did, that was fine.

But just to be with his team for the ride they’ve been on and, hopefully, win a Cup for some of the veteran guys like [Jamie] Benn, [Joe] Pavelski, [Ryan] Suter and [Tyler] Seguin, we’re all kind of hungry to finish it off for them. I’m just trying to do my thing out there.

by Marty Hastings

Stankoven of Stars talks Avs, Oilers, Canucks, bumping slump, Stanky Leg

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