NHL Peachy: 2015 Western Conference Final Off-Day Transcript (Chicago - Bickell, Desjardins, Seabrook, Coach Quenneville) Our Coverage Sponsored by Hallak Cleaners the Couture Cleaner
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An interview with:
BRYAN BICKELL
ANDREW DESJARDINS
BRENT SEABROOK
COACH JOEL QUENNEVILLE
Q. After a game like that, overtime, same situation, as the last time -- travel day, everything, what are the challenges of making sure you're ready for the next one?
BRYAN BICKELL: I think just mentally get ready. We didn't skate. We won’t be skating tomorrow in the morning. Just prepare ourselves for that game. The first period is going to be crucial to dictate the pace of the game, what we want to do. So mentally I think is the biggest thing.
Q. Brad Richards has points in all four games in the series. He's been a difference maker in this round in particular.
BRYAN BICKELL: The puck's been finding him. He's been getting in good spots to receive, or turnovers, making great plays as you can see on that last goal with Kaner.
He's been a guy that's been around this league for a long time. Veteran leadership on and off the ice. Happy to see him doing what he's doing.
Q. The Ducks keep making a big deal of they're wearing you down. Only three games left here. Is that really overblown?
BRYAN BICKELL: I think it's both ways. They are wearing us down, but they're getting tired from wearing us down, so...
You know, it's a three-game series now. We're excited to get that win last night. Could have gone either way. Tomorrow is the next game, so we're excited for it.
Q. Where do you see Brandon Saad's development? Even from a penalty kill role, it just seems like his role has expanded each year.
BRYAN BICKELL: Yeah, he's a guy that is a two-way forward. That line, three offensive, defensive players. Kind of feeds off that. You could see that first goal, his power and his speed overcome two defenders to get that goal. You could see the goals from Seabrook, working it down low.
He's got a good right winger that kind of steering him the right way to one of the best two-way forwards in the league. I'm sure he's been telling them a lot what to do, what they need to do in certain (circumstances).
Q. Two overtime games where it could have been a sweep, could have been 3-1 right now. Do you feel how close you are, how close you've been to disaster in this series, or do you feel good that it's tied right now?
BRYAN BICKELL: We feel good for it to be tied. We just need to bypass the first three periods and just play OT it seems like (laughter).
No, you know, you look back last game, we're up 3-1, they scored three goals in 37 seconds. It's mental mistakes or big shifts in crucial moments. I thought the last game was a big step to find the back of the net against Andersen. You see that he is kind of human because he's been standing on his head as of late.
Take some goods and bads off of the last game and feed off it.
Q. Jonathan Toews talks about tricking your body into thinking it's fresher than you are. The last two, three years, have you learned any routines or whatever? Have you done anything different to kind of recover from these games?
BRYAN BICKELL: I think just stay off your feet, try not to do too much. I think, like I said before, to get mentally into this game, and like you said, trick your brain to know you have more energy than you really do. It's going to be a grueling series. It has been. It's the Conference Finals. We're doing whatever it takes to get the wins.
Q. You've built a reputation as being able to score at this time of year. The lack of scoring, has it bothered you, or do you feel you're doing enough to still contribute?
BRYAN BICKELL: Yeah, you know, it would be nice to see the puck going in the back of the net a little more than it has. It's getting closer. If you don’t get those opportunities, then you ask what’s wrong. But I ran one off the crossbar last game. It was an inch from going in, to swinging the game. You know, I just need to be physical, get in the paint, create havoc that way, and I'm sure eventually one will go in.
Q. Was there an emphasis at all to finish checks or did you talk about that?
BRYAN BICKELL: No. We didn’t really want to play their game. That's their game, being physical. Our game is speed, being patient. Surprising when I saw the score sheet after the game where we had that many hits. We're wearing them down, too. Hopefully we keep that up come tomorrow.
Q. Is that an indication the series is heating up as far as the animosity or whatever? Just seems like it's higher than it's been.
BRYAN BICKELL: Yeah, best-of-three series. Only a couple games left to really win this series. Every shift, every period, getting heated up in this situation, just two teams that are passionate to win, will do whatever it takes.
Q. Are you doing the same things you were doing in previous playoffs when the puck was going in?
BRYAN BICKELL: Hmm. I think so. I feel like I'm doing the same thing. To be physical, hard on the defensemen, create opportunities from that, be in front of that.
Looking in my journal every day, back in 19 ?? no (laughter).
Pretty similar, yeah. I don't write a journal, by the way (laughter).
Thank you.
ANDREW DESJARDINS
Q. Much like the last overtime game, you guys have a travel day, you're going to have to turn things around quickly. What are some of the challenges of flipping that page really fast to get ready for the next one?
ANDREW DESJARDINS: You know, I think the same thing. You know, your routine takes over. Just stick to the same things that you've been doing, I guess. Just mentally prepare for the following game.
Q. I know the team was trying to chip and chase to get to the neutral zone. How were you able to accomplish that last night?
ANDREW DESJARDINS: I think we're trying to stick to keeping the puck along the walls. It makes it a little tougher for the D men to scoop it up, make easy plays out. So, you know, I think we were trying to concentrate on that.
Q. You had 52 hits yesterday. Was there an emphasis on that?
ANDREW DESJARDINS: Might have been just how the game was going a bit. Again, I think it goes back to the last one there, keeping the pucks on the wall. Doing that, you're going to get a little bit more bumps. It's good to see, though.
Q. Do you feel fortunate to be tied? Both games in overtime could have gone either way. Do you feel fortunate or really good about where you are?
ANDREW DESJARDINS: I think we feel good. I mean, last night came down to that 40 seconds that wasn't great. Besides that I think we played good hockey. We played good hockey in the first game for the most part. Sometimes it just goes that way. I think a win's a win at this point.
Q. Is that just an indication of how close these two teams are?
ANDREW DESJARDINS: Yeah, I think so. One bounce here and there, you know, you never know.
Q. Is that fun or is that frustrating, knowing every single thing you do out there could cost you a series?
ANDREW DESJARDINS: I think it's playoff hockey. It seems like right now it's a tight game. I think that's the way it's going to be.
Q. When you were on the outside looking in at this team, did you ever wonder how the Hawks keep winning games like this? Now that you're inside, do you get an idea of what it is that makes a difference?
ANDREW DESJARDINS: Yeah, I think that's the confidence, just sticking with the game plan, digging deep, just doing the right things.
I think sometimes to overcome something like last night, it's big. It seems like this team's able to do that.
Q. Seems like things are a little chippier out there. Does that play more into your game?
ANDREW DESJARDINS: Yeah, I think so. It's getting deeper and deeper, so guys are getting frustrated with each other I think a little bit. I think that's the way series go.
Q. How important is it to not let that kind of balloon into a penalty?
ANDREW DESJARDINS: I think you see that a little bit. We're trying to stress on keeping it in between the whistles, frustrating them during play, not getting into it too much after the whistle.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you.
ANDREW DESJARDINS: Thank you.
BRENT SEABROOK
Q. They keep making a big deal in the Ducks' locker room about how they're wearing you down. They say they're targeting your top four defensemen. Is there anything to that or is that an overblown storyline?
BRENT SEABROOK: They're coming hard, they're being physical, got a fast team. But we got a pretty good group back there. Our forwards are doing a good job at helping us out, making it a little easier for us coming back, and limiting odd-man rushes, coming back and presenting themselves so we can get the puck out of the zone quick, not take as many hits.
You know, I feel fine.
Q. You have at most three weeks left in the season. Any doubts that you can get through that without any problems?
BRENT SEABROOK: I got no doubt, no. Like I said, we got a good group. We got a good training staff. We get a lot of rest here from the coaches. You know, it is what it is.
Q. Your team were credited with 52 hits last night. Is there a chance you're wearing them down, as well?
BRENT SEABROOK: I don't know. I think it was nice to see us come out with an effort like that. It was a big game for us last night. We needed that win. Arguably could have been the most important game of the playoffs for us, to come out with a win last night. We gave it everything we had.
Q. Has Brandon Saad advanced his value for the team by being able to play on the penalty kill?
BRENT SEABROOK: Saad has been huge. He's been a big part of our team for the last couple years. He's really shown what he can do in these playoffs, scoring that goal last night. It was an unbelievable goal, to see how fast he went up the ice, being able to put that in. He's been a great player for us for a long time here. He's been big in the playoffs.
Q. Brent, is there something in particular that allowed Toews to get the upper hand on Kesler in last night's game?
BRENT SEABROOK: I don't know. Toews is a great player. Coming off of the third period last night, we needed to have a big period, do what we could to give ourselves a chance to win that game. Hoss made a great play to find him. Toews made an even better play to get it over Andersen. It was a good game by our team last night.
Q. Do you feel fortunate to be tied or do you feel even you could be up 3-1 or have swept at this point?
BRENT SEABROOK: It's been a tight series. I think both teams are great teams. It's been a tight series. I think you could look at the games and say that any of the games could go either way.
Q. After the previous three multiple overtime games, you guys have lost. Maybe it's coincidence. In case it's not, any particular challenge in kind of restarting your engines for the next game?
BRENT SEABROOK: I don't think so. We're going to go out and look to have a good Game 5. I think last game, Game 3 was it? it was a tight game. It could have gone either way. We were one post away from tying that and going into an overtime again.
We got to come out with a good effort off the start. I think our starts have been key. When we start well, we usually give ourselves a chance to have a good game and get a win. That's going to be tomorrow's theme, I'm sure, getting off to a good start and trying to do some good things in a hostile building in Anaheim.
Q. As the series progresses, do you feel your team's ability to be comfortable in games like that, do you think that becomes a bigger advantage, or is this such an even match it's a coin flip every time?
BRENT SEABROOK: I think it's an even match. I think both teams are out there doing a lot of great things. I think both teams have opportunities to win every night.
Going into overtimes for us, we've been in a lot of 'em the last couple years. We have confidence going into overtime. I think it shows. You're going to give up some stuff and you're going to get some stuff. It's how you respond to those kind of things.
I think our team does a good job of just sticking in the moment and playing. You know, hopefully we come out with the win.
Q. I think it's four wins now in these playoffs in games in which you guys have given up at least three goals in one period. How do you avoid melting down whenever that happens?
BRENT SEABROOK: I think we scored three goals in a period last night, too, so...
It's part of the playoffs. Playoffs have a lot of ups and downs. Like I said about overtime, I think we have a confidence in our group. We've seen a lot of stuff over the years that doesn't really faze us.
We needed to take a deep breath last night and get refocused. We did. Our power play came up with a big goal to tie it up. We were able to get a nice goal from Vermy there, a nice pass from Sharpie. Nice play from that line. It was nice to get that win.
THE MODERATOR: Thanks, Brent.
BRENT SEABROOK: Thanks.
FastScripts by ASAP Sports
COACH JOEL QUENNEVILLE
Q. Question about the power play. Even before that goal in the third period, did you feel it was better and why?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I felt it was better, much better than prior games. I think they changed from Game 2 to Game 3 where they came with pressure, relentless pressure. We never got comfortable, settled with it. I think we had some better entries and got it settled.
I think that was the start for us. First power play in the game got us some momentum in the game as well. They can feed off your team game. I think that happened. Then with a timelier goal, Kaner did a great play on the top there.
Q. You played in a lot of crazy series going back for years now. Is this starting to rival those?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: This Series is pretty amazing when you look at the four games. Very close, very competitive.
Every year is different. Trying to win the Cup has some amazing swings, highs and lows, twists and turns. The deeper you get in games, the deeper you get in series, it's all the more challenging. We love our group's experience and know-how. And will to find ways. Last night was a great demonstration of that.
Q. Considering both your wins came in multiple overtimes, do you feel fortunate to be tied 2-2?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I would say 2-2 is probably as accurate as you can get.
Q. Anticipating any lineup changes for tomorrow night's game?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Not likely.
Q. What have you seen from Brandon Saad to give him the penalty kill role this season?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: He had a little taste of it the last year or two. He gets late kills. He's got some quickness. Last night we saw some explosion on the ice. Defensively his positioning is fine. He's got a decent stick, as well. He's got some skills offensively. I think his anticipation's good on both sides of the puck, which makes him a good penalty killer.
Q. Do you have to have a certain amount of trust in a guy to give him the power play, penalty kill and a top-line role?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I think your performance usually gets you more quality or quantity ice time.
Q. Your team since you've been here has been far better than anybody else in the NHL in Game 5 and Game 6. You seem to get better as the series go on. Are the Ducks a different kind of challenge?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: They're a good hockey team. Absolutely it's a good team we're playing. They play hard. These games, they're long games, they're hard games, even if it goes 60.
At the same time we feel we have to get better in series to progress, to go through it. So I think one thing is we find a way to get better each and every game. We know we needed our best game last night. I thought we had a hell of a game last night. We're going to need a better game in Game 5 going into their building. That's the mindset.
Q. As the intensity level ramps up, post-whistle stuff seems to be going up as well. How often do you have to remind your guys not to take silly penalties?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: We'll always remind them about discipline. One thing, we always want to play hard inside the whistles. You find the first rounds are usually the most intense as far as extracurriculars after whistles. As the series progress, the officials, I think they usually try to kill that immediately in a series. But pretty intense games. Longer games. A lot of things can happen. But, you know, we just got to be smart. We always talk about discipline. We don't want any penalties after the whistle, for sure.
Q. Bryan Bickell set a standard through the years with goal production in the playoffs. He hasn't scored yet. Is he doing anything different, do you notice anything?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: I think, you know, he still gets on the body. I think he's a threat. He hit the crossbar. He had a great chance I think to end it in Game 2. Last night, a couple decent looks. A couple plays looked like they almost got through. I still think he brings something to our team, yeah.
Q. The Ducks keep insisting they're wearing you down, especially your defensemen. Are you beyond worried about that?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: That's the only thing that gets talked about. Their defensemen probably played just about as much as ours.
It's a game that you're trying to get through and win. Our guys take care of themselves real well. Today we have enough time and tomorrow to get excited about Game 5.
Q. Is there any early indication how van Riemsdyk is doing?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Just a couple days on the ice here. Looks like he's going to need a little bit more time to get a better assessment.
Q. I know you're not into the numbers, but the last three games you played a multiple overtime game, the next game you lost. Do you see it as a challenge to kind of restart your engines? It wasn't a marathon like the other one, but it was a longer game. Is there a challenge for this team, like Jonathan Toews says, trick your body into thinking you're fresher than you are?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: One of the greatest attributes of this team, is being ready to start games and be prepared to play and play the right way. It's something that's in place. I think we've started each and every game in the series well. As you get into the game, things take over. But that start is critical to everything. That's a great asset that we have with the group.
Q. Hjalmarsson, he's fine going forward, no injury?
COACH QUENNEVILLE: He's fine.
THE MODERATOR: Thank you, coach.
COACH QUENNEVILLE: Thank you.
