On whether he stayed up until midnight to celebrate the New Year:
No, I did not. Actually, I was quiet. I was thinking the streets around where we’re staying would be busier, but I didn’t hear it.
On any difference between the way the team plays at home and on the road:
You know, the difference in that this year would clearly be our extra points, meaning overtime and shootouts. I think we have six either overtime or shootout losses. It’s funny how the teams went. If you looked at last year, we were really good at it, and the year before they weren’t. If you think about those points, if you got half those points, you’re way better off, for sure.
On whether the team will try to build off its late push in the Edmonton game:
We’ve missed way too many good opportunities, and not just in Edmonton but in Calgary and probably on the road. [Reporter: Can you build off the push? Do you hope to build off the sort of final 10 minutes to get that game to overtime?] I don’t think you’re building, I don’t think any team’s building off the last game the way schedules are. You get dialed in to who you’re trying to get dialed into, who your opponent is, and who’s sharp for your team, that sort of thing, and go from there. I think that for the most part, every night we give ourselves a chance to win. It’s still, you’ve got to bear down on opportunities and you’ve got to try and limit other teams’ opportunities. Our record also is a little bit reflective home and road because there is a little bit of match-up going on, and we’ve had some issues on our back end from last year.
On whether he’s pleased with the power play:
The power play doesn’t win or lose you games in the league. Those teams that just ride their power play, you always like as coaches when it’s on and it contributes, but also it shouldn’t be the answer to I think what you’re seeing – and I shouldn’t talk about it because [inaudible] – but you’re seeing minor penalties, for the most part, go down. If you look at the Canucks the last few games, what they’ve had, and look at us, so it’s not a significant thing. So if you only get two or three and you don’t score, then you’re going to say ‘we were an 0-fer,’ but it’s five or six and you’re 0-fer, then it’s more. You want the power play to score because generally it is your top guys, and they like that.
On whether Jeff Schultz has settled in well:
Jeff Schultz? Yeah, you know what? With the schedule, just keep all seven. Tonight we’ll make a decision. One of ‘em’s banged up a little. Put ‘em all in warm-ups, see how it goes.
On whether he wished Jeff Carter a happy birthday:
Carts? Yeah. He’s a year ahead. When we were in Calgary the other night, I had a nephew born during the night when we left, so he’s a late birthday, which doesn’t help in sports. It’s better to be those early January guys.
On any New Year’s resolutions:
Bucket list. Yeah, for sure. That’s what we all should do, because you know what? When you see everything that’s going on, you need that bucket list.
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