Scuderi on coaching change, future

If there’s anyone who might be able to see the positive in a midseason coaching change, it’s Rob Scuderi. Scuderi played for Pittsburgh when, with 25 games remaining in the 2008-09 season, the Penguins fired Michel Therrien and replaced him with AHL coach Dan Bylsma. The Penguins went on to win the Stanley Cup. Certainly, though, that isn’t the norm, and after today’s morning skate, Scuderi quietly reflected on the firing of Terry Murray and the future…

SCUDERI: “Our performance cost someone their job, certainly someone we all looked up to and, we thought, did a great job with this team for the last few years. … It’s a little quick to be totally focused, but we do have a game tonight. As far as the game is concerned, we have to do our best to try to put it behind us and play and try to win the game. But the feelings are still there. It’s a little uneasy. You come in and it’s a different routine, a different pregame skate, the meeting is at a different time, and that’s part of having a new coach and having a new schedule and that’s fine, we’ll get used to it. But it takes a little time.’’

Question: What can you guys do to turn things around?

SCUDERI: “Scoring some goals would be nice. I think Terry talked about it, and we talked about it this morning. It’s going to be an overall team effort. It’s not like we’re singling out the forwards against the D, or anything like that. It’s got to be a team effort. The D can do a little more, try to keep some pucks in and try to keep the flow of the game going, maybe move the puck faster. Anything we can do individually, to help the team overall, is what we’re trying to do on the offensive part of the game.’’

Question: A lot of people talk about the emotions. Can a team be too emotionally charged for a game like tonight?

SCUDERI: “It happens. I’ve been through it before with a new coach. It happens relatively quick, and the next game is a little strange. Fortunately, the good thing for us is that our system isn’t changing too much. I’m sure there’s some adjustments that coach Stevens will want to do, and it’s up to us to make those, but I don’t think we’re going to have too much of a change because of our success defensively.’’