Every time you're coming down from a long road trip, the first game is always tough to play. We knew we were playing against a quality team. I thought our work ethic was there, so that's a good sign. Physically, we didn't back down. They were physical, and we were physical. But they have experienced players, and we have a lot of young players. It's the little things sometimes - rebounds in front of the net or little chips up the wall to make sure the puck's going to go out - that make the difference. But our guys really worked hard tonight. |
Finally, we get the last laugh against those guys because it's been a lot of times this year where the games were tight. If there's a guy you want to make sure has the puck on a 2-on-1, it's Sidney Crosby, and he made the perfect play. |
First of all, I don't think he deserved a [hooking] penalty, and I don't think he said anything. There's no doubt those guys [officials] are really, really, really tough with him. |
For guys like him, it's tough. He's in and out of the lineup. We want him to be aggressive, we want him to create some offense. But at the same time, I understand that he's playing on the fourth line, so the quality of his ice time is not the same as guys on the top three lines. |
For us, we have to continue to concentrate on the things we do best. That's the right thing to do and sometimes it's the little things that change the rhythm of the game. |
He came to see us after the second period and felt that he could try on the power play and we played him on the power play. |
He creates a lot of turnovers the way he can chase the puck-carrier. But he's got to chip in once in a while. |
He doesn't go after people, running around. Sometimes a huge mistake with young kids is they try to make the big hit, but they get caught out of position. |
He got an opportunity before and I don't believe that he took it. So he's going to have to wait. I like guys working, and I like the lineup right now. We've got guys working really hard, and this is what's important for me. Give what you got and you'll be OK. |
He learned fast on the job. I had no doubt he would. He understands how to play winning hockey. |
He played a solid game, like I'm used to seeing him play. |
He played really well. He moved the puck, and he was solid defensively. He played like I was expecting. |
He was not playing the way he wished to play, and he's not getting any younger. He's got some personal reasons, and we have to respect that. But, for sure, he wanted to contribute a lot more to the team, and for him, I think, he's ready to move on. |
He was really solid this weekend. It is nice to see him progressing and playing well at this time of year. He's young and he's learning, but that is gonna be good for his confidence the way that he played this weekend. There is no doubt about that and the guys in front of him played a really solid game. |
He was solid defensively, and he played the way I expected him to. |