Jim Schoenfeld Quotations

Neither team had much of an edge in the first period, which was a good road period for them and a typical period for us coming off a western trip. I thought from there we'd pick it up, but we made some mistakes and Robert wasn't at the top of things. ... We didn't have enough zip in us to score five or six goals.

Goalies are either going to be the first star because they have to stop so many chances or it's going to be a long night. Once a couple get by you, you start guessing a little bit, and it sort of compounds things. But Al is mentally strong and bounces back. I thought it was a real good show of character. It was 6-0, but there were some timely saves that could have swung the game.

He was the quarterback of the whole thing, so now we have to find someone else to do that job. Sometimes someone steps right in, and sometimes you have to teach them and bring them along a little. But that's what we're here for. We're thrilled that he's in New York - that's where we want our guys to go - and we hope he plays well enough to stay there.

To come back from two goals down on the road showed tremendous character. It's pretty evident that a lot of hard work they put in conditioning paid off. It wasn't picture perfect, but there was a lot of heart in that victory.

He's a smart player who has the courage to go into high-traffic areas.

When he came in was a tough time because the team was playing well and the goalies were having a hard time. We were scoring five and still losing, and he made a dramatic difference, really solidified the position for us.

It has been a tough few years for Dale, but he has worked extremely hard. We'll ease him back in a bit, but the one thing he will provide immediately is some leadership, and the more of that you have, the better you are. And he's got an edge to his game, so his presence will make us a much tougher team and a more difficult team to play against physically.

Some of our youngsters have progressed past our expectations.

I think they're both very capable, and I sometimes feel like I'm getting in their way. But like anything, it's sort of a growing process, and as people show the ability to take on more responsibility, I think you have to give it to them. ... We often discuss things, but sometimes I don't want to have input because it might influence them. I want their fresh ideas, and I think they're happiest in those moments. I think they love to take it and run with it, and I would be disappointed if it was any other way because that's the kind of people I think they are.

We each had our share of great plays and mistakes, and their goalie outplayed ours. We fought hard to the bitter end and had our chances, but their guy really made some good saves.

We know they've got a little better in them and I'm very confident they'll have a strong second half.

We'll see how they look in practice and make an evaluation Friday. With three games, I'd like to get them in one game to get a look at them.

Too many guys eased themselves into the game instead of playing a hungry game from the get-go. They wanted to test the waters to see if it was going to be too rough for them to handle. You can tell by the guys who won't win a battle along the boards or the guys who won't even get to the boards to get into a battle.

We had a disjointed effort. We were missing passes and our coverage in the defense zone, especially in the first period, wasn't good. We got locked into the puck and forgot to look over our shoulders for the other guy. They were ready. We were 6-0 in the series and I'm sure they talked about that.

Both power plays were fun to watch. Sometimes its poor penalty killing, but they were all good goals. We were just lucky to get the last one.

We gave everybody every opportunity in every situation. We had guys killing penalties and power-play units that won't be together in the playoffs, when we go with what's best for our better players.

We have to find a way to win with what we have. If you start playing those games in your head, you convince yourself you don't have a good enough roster to win, and I certainly don't want our guys thinking that way. We have a good enough team, so maybe we'll have to win a little differently.

Both guys have had a few good games lately. Monty will start, and we'll evaluate as we go.

A simple 2-on-2 drill we do all the time. Bad read. Unacceptable, in March.

Fedor had a strong game. He was strong with the puck and made good decisions and plays. We're looking for that high energy consistently. Not for two shifts or two periods, but the whole game and hopefully the next game as well. He's aware of how we like him to play.

They're both very bright, energetic and efficient. They're advancing in leaps and bounds, and I think it's great to see not only the area of growth, but the speed they've taken to coaching. It's like they've been doing it for a long time.

It is what it is, a circus. I'd prefer to start on the road and have home ice for Game 7, which is what we would have. ... But there's no sense crying about it because it's the situation we're in.

It was a good game where both teams did a good job of not giving up much. When we play these guys, it's always a grind. I thought we had good effort. It was one shot where the guy made the initial save, but it's awkward for the goalie sometimes.

It's what separates the good from the bad, the good from the very good, the very good from the great. If players can eliminate mistakes and play on the high end on a consistent basis, they're not here.

They were barking at Rooster, and we intercepted it. But it was really a minor thing. Just hockey.