On avoiding outside distractions heading into a Game 7:
“In a game like this, it comes down to the little details of the game. When we’re on our game and we’re doing all those little things, that’s when our game kind of takes care of itself. In a game like this, it comes down to individual preparation and getting yourself ready. I’ve got to do what I need to do to get myself ready to play. If I do those things, it’s going to help our team.”
On how to avoid a flat start:
“Just getting yourself in the right mindframe, mindset. That’s about today waking up and looking at video. Again, we’ve been in enough big game situations with this group of guys to understand what we’re going into. Again, we have all day today and tomorrow morning to get in the right mindframe to play the game.”
On being able to get up for a Game 7:
“I don’t think it’s a hard thing to get up for a Game 7, if that’s what you’re asking. When you’re road hockey, you’re always playing in a Game 7, right? So I’m looking forward to the opportunity. I know a lot of other guys are looking forward to the opportunity of playing in a game like tomorrow night. Like I said, its more about getting yourself in the right mental mindframe.”
On whether getting yourself ready is “psyching yourself up”:
I think it’s just finding that even keel, really. You don’t want to be too amped up. Sometimes that can go against you. You just want to try to approach it like every other game and focusing – like I said before – on doing the little things. You don’t want to be too over-the-top aggressive, or sitting back, waiting for something to happen. It’s just kind of finding that middle ground.”
On the first thing that comes to mind with “Game 7”:
“Win or go home, right?”
On any memories of watching a great Game 7:
“I mean, the one memory I had was ’94 finals. I was a Vancouver fan then. Everyone else in my hometown was a Ranger fan. We all know how that turned out. [Reporter: How did you become a Vancouver fan?] By default of everyone else being Ranger fans. [Reporter: Just to be contrary?] Yep.”
On whether it pays to have a sense of humor to keep everything calm:
“Yeah, I think the worst thing going into a game, a Game 7, is being uptight and stressed out about it. You should be loose and excited about playing in a game like tomorrow night. It’s an opportunity one, and most importantly, to move on in the playoffs, but also you get in a game like this, and that’s where heroes are made and you come together as a group.”
On the biggest challenge San Jose has presented in the series:
“For me, with Thornton – he’s been a pretty dominant force throughout the series. He’s really good on the offensive side of the puck. I think that’s probably been the biggest part of the series for them, is number 19. From our blue line in, he’s been really good and really hard. He’s so big and strong, and then you add his skill level into it, it’s a tough, tough combo to defend. I think guys have battled hard against him, but he’s been effective.”
On whether this series has been as physical or more physical than he expected:
“It’s probably been just about what you expect for a playoff series. They’re all similar in the physicality department, and sometimes it’s a different type of physicality, but it’s always there. [Reporter: And it’s important for you guys to get on the board first?] I think the team that’s scored first in every game in every game has won the game, I think. I might be wrong on that. I think it kind of tips the scales, the ice in your favor early on.”
On being prepared to react and remain mentally strong should the team concede the first goal:
“You don’t think like that. I mean, that’s more of a reactionary response when that happens, if that happens. I think we’re pretty comfortable in here. We’ve been in situations that have been very difficult. I mean, you look at Game [4] against St. Louis, we were down 2-0 five minutes into the game. It’s how you respond to the adversity that really I think shows who you are as an individual and as a team.”
On the last time he played in a Game 7:
“Junior, I think I lost in a Game 7 in the second round, I think.”
On the team’s handful of players that have played in a Game 7:
“Yeah, I mean I think that helps. And you’ve also got guys who have played in a gold medal Olympic game, which is probably the equivalent of a Game 7 – with Dewey and Rick was there. Guys have experience in big games. You look at a group of our guys that have won World Juniors. At the end of the day, those final games and those World Juniors and World Championships and Olympics, those are Game 7s. It’s a matter of using that experience and trying to just get ready, get yourself ready.”
On remembering being in the handshake line against San Jose in 2011:
“Yeah, I mean you remember what it feels like to lose. You almost have to lose before you learn how to win. It’s a motivating factor. When you have that feeling, I mean, it stays with you. [Reporter: Presumably you don’t want to feel that again.] No. And vice versa. After what we did last year, I always say you don’t really know what you’re playing for until you’ve won it. So my perspective on playoffs this year has been completely different than the perspectives in previous years because I don’t think I fully understood what exactly I was playing for until we put ourselves over the top. That’s kind of the same way with losing, you know. It’s hard to understand what it takes to win until you lose.”
On whether the role of the captain changes in a “win-or-else” scenario:
“No. It’s just as a captain, I have to throw my A-game. That’s the one thing I can do for this team to help them win. I try to lead by example. For us to win, we need everyone – our best players need to be our best players tomorrow night.
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