On having “four days off” between games:
We had four days off at Christmas, we had four days off this week, we have six at the All-Star Break, so you do have it. We just had it. What’s rare is you have had it in one month, twice, when you look at it, and from December to this part.
On what “clicked” last season when the team went on a second half run:
It has no bearing. One year has no bearing on the next. It’s a different lineup, a different roster. The only reason you guys are here today is because we’re playing the New York Rangers tonight. It’s the only reason. If we were playing Nashville, I said they were the best team coming into that game, and they were. So you guys are here tonight because we’re playing the Rangers tonight. What would last year have to do with tonight’s game? I really don’t know. It has nothing to do with it, actually. [Reporter: I guess where I’m going with this question is how do you know when you’re playing at the level-] We’re playing really well. Jeez, we’ve got points in eight of the last 10 games. Maybe we’re playing as well as we can. [Reporter: Do you feel that’s the level you need to play at, though?] That’s a good level for us. That’s keeping us in a playoff spot.
On the emotion for tonight’s game, and how he’ll get the players to channel it:
I don’t think there is. Maybe if you have four days off, the emotion is just that we’re fresh and we’re borderline getting – touch wood – sort of healthy again. So that’s the only thing that I see. It’s a tough schedule. When you talk about having a few days off, the schedule’s extremely tough. We’re playing a team tonight that’s played the fewest games in the NHL. When you look at it, what are we at? What’s our date today, the ninth of January? And teams are at 36 or 37 games, other teams are at 40-to-42. It’s a big difference when you look at it, so it’s probably one of the reasons if you talk to the Rangers [about why] they’ve played so well is they’ve been able to stay fresher and with more energy.
On the most important aspects of the three practice days:
We didn’t have three days of practice…we had a day off, and then, you know what? We talked about with the group in terms of structure and X and O and all that at practice with that, and then we had an optional based on guys’ ice time and some of the older guys, and then yesterday was more of just trying to get your skill set back up. I think it was clear, what you see with our young players especially, is when you give them two or three days off, their energy level’s off, but at the same time, there were two or three things that were really necessary in terms of being at the top. You know what? When I say ‘maximize your skill set,’ your skating, your shooting, your passing, there’s always something that you can pick up right away with with some of our younger players. You should be dead on. You should be a hundred percent perfect, after you’ve had a few days off and if you’re healthy.
On Robyn Regehr’s progression:
You know, Robyn, we’ll just go day-by-day. He’s still really sore and able to do very little. He hasn’t been in a contact practice. He hasn’t taken a shot, so we’re still a ways away. I couldn’t even tell you if it’s ‘days’ or ‘a week.’ Just play it.
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