All-Star Hull Performs Well On and Off the Ice

Welcome to Brett Hull’s world.

When he talks about obstruction and interference, the NHL takes notes. And when he scores, the St. Louis Blues win.

Sunday against the Mighty Ducks, he put on a show during the game and afterward, making it open mike night in the locker room at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

Here’s your star, No. 16.

“I feel great out there,” said Hull, who had two goals and two assists in the Blues’ 6-2 victory over the Ducks. “For five days and three full practices [after returning from Nagano], I felt awful before we went on this road trip.”

Now the Blues leave Southern California with four points--they beat the Kings on Saturday, 5-2--and some breathing room in the Western Conference standings. They moved eight points in front of the Kings in the battle for the No. 4 playoff spot.

This trip, which coincided with the NHL’s crackdown on interference and obstruction, has put that trademark smile back on the golden Brett’s face.

“Oh yeah, it’s totally different [on the ice]. Just the ability to create the plays in the neutral zone because you’re not just being corralled,” he said. “I think it’s going to be great for the game but it’s going to take time for the guys to get used to it.

“I don’t think you saw that many of those [obstruction and interference plays] tonight. If you do it right, you’re not going to get called.”

Hull did things right and was living right in the first period, when the Ducks’ Jason Marshall put the Blue right wing on the score sheet by sending a clearing pass toward the crease and into the net off the leg of goaltender Mikhail Shtalenkov.

Credit Hull, the last Blue to touch the puck, with the goal and a few nice plays to set up goals by Pierre Turgeon and Steve Duchesne.

“Hullie’s the type of guy who wants to have a good game every game,” Duchesne said. “He’s our leader. If he does well, we usually win.”

Hull and Turgeon helped kill off any chances the Ducks had of getting back into the game during the second period. They set up passes in the neutral zone, behind the net and near the slot, where Hull got his last goal of the game.

They even set up each other for credit on the victory.

“Two goals like that and he’s hot again,” said Turgeon, who has 12 goals and 43 points. “He could have had three or four tonight.”

Back to you, Brett.

“[Pierre’s] a fun player,” said Hull, who has 22 goals and 46 points. “He’s been struggling a little bit too, so it’s nice to see him get the goals.”

So having fun was the incentive against the Ducks, not revenge against Tomas Sandstrom, whose Dec. 27 slash knocked Hull out of the lineup for 13 games with a broken bone in his left hand.

“Ahh, I don’t hold personal grudges like that,” Hull said. “I just want to win as a team.”

To keep things going in a positive direction the rest of the way and into the playoffs, the Blues must keep this team concept going through injuries and the looming decision Hull, 33, will have to make should he and the Blues not see eye to eye on a new contract before the summer ends.

Hull, who has spoken of leaving and also of remaining in St. Louis, will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

So Brett, how do you like the weather here in Southern California?

“I love the weather out here,” he said, taking the bait and flashing that grin once again. “You just have to wait and see. St. Louis has been so good to me over my career, I’d like to give them first chance, for sure.

“But I’m also a businessman on top of being an athlete,” he said, giving his team a little something to consider. ‘So if there is something else out there, I’ll have to take it.”