LOS ANGELES — When Ottawa Senators right winger Chris Neil arrives at the Staples Center Saturday morning, he will dutifully go through his tried-and-true routine with his skates.
For the 1,000th time in his NHL career, Neil will rip out the used laces. He will grab two new pairs, one for each blade. He will tie the laces together, lining up the knot dead centre in the middle of the bottom set of eyeholes of each skate. The process will be completed after Neil laces them up so tightly that his well-worn knuckles are bright red with the effort.