Prout on facing Lucic after 1-punch take down: 'Play the hand you’re dealt'
Dalton Prout broke out his best poker face in advance of Saturday's game against Milan Lucic and the Boston Bruins.
The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman is set to step onto the ice with the Bruins tough-guy for the first time since taking Lucic down with one punch back in November, and is preparing himself for any and all scenarios.
"The game is going to play out as it may," Prout told Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Post-Dispatch. "Every game is different, like a poker hand. Play the hand you’re dealt."
Prout - who was assessed a two-minute minor for roughing for the punch - is credited with two full-on fights this season. He's engaged in fisticuffs with Tom Wilson of the Washington Capitals and Shawn Thornton of the Florida Panthers (formerly of the aforementioned Bruins).
For his part, Lucic had this to say about the incident and the prospect of seeing Prout at the other end of the ice on Saturday:
Milan Lucic: "Still not happy about it. But definitely don't want to do anything stupid where you put your team or self in jeopardy."
— Fluto Shinzawa (@GlobeFluto) December 27, 2014
Whether Prout will add a third fight to his card is yet to be determined, but he'll be ready to act as the jack of clubs if need be.