As a group, if we can skate with this team, we'll be OK. This was a positive step for our coaching staff for sure. |
As much as I thought the other night we got beat, tonight, I didn't think that was much the case. We had every opportunity to win our game. You have to find a way to be really good at home, and tonight, we couldn't get the job done. |
As much as we've been good offensively, we're going to get better defensively. We'll bear down here. That's going to be the key. We're not going to be able to get five goals (per game) in the playoffs. We're going to have to be outstanding defensively, as well. |
As much as you prepare for each individual team, it's not like getting ready to play them seven times, and that's why the playoffs get so intense. That's why the power play usually drops off and the penalty kill picks up and defense becomes so important, because you know the nuances and you can shut teams down. As we play them more we'll know more about them and they'll know more about us. |
At the start of the game, we weren't used to that level. They were really quick. |
Before that date, we're not going to do anything. |
But I can tell you we're not going to take any chances. If it feels great, great, he'll play. If not, we'll just keep on (resting Zetterberg). |
But now he's in shape, he gets up and down the ice, and he's a player. |
But, I don't think they ever believed it. |
Can you imagine how good you must be for them to do that? This is Canada. They're saying you can't wear that number. You must be pretty good, and pretty good for a long period of time. How good must you be? |
Can you replace anybody? Yes. Can you replace him with the same person? No. His contribution to our team is not just measured in what you see, no question about that. |
Dan Cleary came in and his face was sheet white ... and I apologized to him. I had no idea. I don't run the team. I'm just trying to win tonight. I wouldn't have done it that way. I don't joke about that stuff. |
Dan has played real good when you start him on the fourth line and then you move him around. When you put him in this situation ... we'll see how he does. Some guys can't do it. It's up to him. |
Day-to-day, game-to-game, shift-to-shift accountability. It's not a speech, and I mean that sincerely. |
Edmonton is quick, and it works hard, ... Edmonton just squashed Nashville (Tuesday), so it'll be a good test for us. |