We were up against the top team in the Western Conference and we look at them as a measuring stick for us. We didn't get the result we wanted, but that just shows us that we still have some work to do. |
We won't be successful in a playoff game like that. We'll take the win and learn from our mistakes. It's easy to whine and cry. But we'll whine and cry our way right out of the playoffs if we do that. |
We work on things, we talk about things. But in the end, that's the ultimate one-on-one, and you have to trust the player. |
We'd like to get him acclimated with our team. Right now, you'd probably put him eighth on our depth chart among defensemen. That's an important position. |
We're going against a team where the whole game plan going in was to take advantage of our turnovers and soft mental play. We were pushing to take that mental play out of the equation, but there were too many times it came into it. |
We're going to dress the best team we can. And if one of those young guys is in that mix, that's the way it's going to be. |
We're going to need all seven of those guys. To put numbers on them, that would be wrong right now. |
We're going to talk next week. |
We're obviously glad that it's nothing too serious with Mike, but we'll just see how he is Saturday. That's a decision we'll make at game time. We do have some healthy bodies around, so we're not going to take a chance with anybody and put anybody in a vulnerable situation. But that being said, we want to continue to play well as a team -- and he's a big part of our team. |
We've been good friends for a long time. I respect what he's done as a coach and his work ethic. We have a lot of the same views about the game. We spend a lot of time chatting. Over the years we got to be good friends and our wives are good friends. |
We've got a great group of guys, great leaders who've focused on preparing for the playoffs. This is the time when you earn your stripes. We've put ourselves in good position; now we have to go prove it in the playoffs. |
We've played well in some adverse situations. I hope that trip was some character building for our team. |
When any player goes down you get a little scare, but it's not bad at all. He just tweaked an old injury. When I talked to him between periods, he seemed to respond well, so I don't think it's serious at all. I just talked to him and he was planning on skating tomorrow, so there's nothing to be concerned about. I don't think there's much to evaluate. |
When I was in the IHL there were a few teams that used to do that. Some goaltenders just have a knack for breakaways and it can give your team a little bit of a boost. You have to know your personnel before you can make those changes and obviously Craig thinks Morrison is the guy on breakaways. |
When things aren't going your way, he can step up to that other level. That makes him a great player. He's bearing down on opportunities. He's taking all the challenges, and that's a great sign for our team. |