ST. LOUIS -- Blues coach Jacques Demers made like Joe Namath by guaranteeing a victory over Minnesota in the deciding game of the teams' divisional quarterfinal that night. 'We're coming home to play Friday,' said Demers.
'There's no question in my mind.'
Warned that his cockiness might provide a boost for the North Stars, Demers replied: 'I don't care if Minnesota finds out about it.'
The Blues made a prophet of their coach by overcoming a two-goal deficit for a 6-3 triumph. Greg Paslawski scored three goals and set up two others and Doug Gilmour set a St. Louis playoff record with five assists.
St. Louis now returns to home ice Friday night and Sunday to face Toronto, upset victors over the Chicago Black Hawks in three games. The Blues will have the home ice advantage in the best-of-seven Norris Division final series.
... Demers was part of an embarrassing incident during the series - he admitted throwing pennies onto the ice to buy a few illegal timeouts for his team.
'We got caught,' said Demers. 'I won't do it again. Once you're caught, you're caught for life.' However, Demers stressed he never pulled the stunt while the puck was in play.
'I would never take a chance on hurting a player,' he said. 'My own players are out there, too.'
... The Blues recalled 18-year-old right wing Herb Raglan from the Kingston Canadiens to fortify themselves for the next round. Raglan, the team's first selection in the 1985 entry draft, started the season with the Blues before being sent to his junior team after seven games.
... The Maple Leafs plan to shadow the Blues' top scoring line of Mark Hunter-Bernie Federko-Brian Sutter with its own formidable trio of Steve Thomas-Tom Fergus-Rick Vaive.
