Long week for Purcell

It’s been quite a week for Teddy Purcell. His absence from practice on Friday was the first indication of the flu that would spread through the team, although Purcell did not miss a game. He said he has been able to eat a couple full meals since the team returned home and is feeling stronger.

On Wednesday, Purcell picked up a new linemate, as he and Jarret Stoll will now skate with Wayne Simmonds instead of Dustin Brown. Purcell had two big goals in the first three games, but has not recorded a point in the last four games. He talked about the line change and his offensive game…

PURCELL: “It’s maybe a nice change. We had some chances going. It just seemed like everything was off by a little bit. We were getting chances but they just weren’t going in. Simmer is obviously kind of a similar player to Brownie. They go the net and use their bodies well as hard players. Maybe this will get me and Stolly going a little bit, and we’ll be able to find some of the same chemistry and get some of the same chances we got with Brownie.”

Question: I guess if you’re getting the chances, that’s all you can ask for, right?

PURCELL: “It’s one thing if you’re not getting chances or not doing anything. We’re pretty good defensively, but obviously everyone would like to score goals. At the same time, when stuff like that happens, you have to look at the positives. The chances are coming, so hopefully it’s just a matter of time before they go in. You work hard, and hopefully you get a bounce. You work hard and hope they will start falling. It’s early, so there’s no reason to hit the panic button. We just sort of do the same thing we’ve been doing. They’ve got to go in sometime.”