Hitchcock thinks DeBoer should leave Marleau on 2nd line

Ken Hitchcock continues to oh-so slightly prod at his coaching counterpart Pete DeBoer.

The Blues boss told reporters Tuesday that he'd prefer to see veteran winger Patrick Marleau stay put on the San Jose Sharks' second line, rather than shifting down to center the third, as rumoured.

"We don't like that match. He should stay on the second line. We don't like that one. I'm not telling Pete how to coach. Nor am I telling him how to referee. Just telling him we don't like that match."

Hitchcock also employed some old-school gamesmanship to dig at DeBoer on Monday, using the media to let him know that unlike the Sharks, St. Louis will not petition the officiating crew while speaking to reporters.