HEAD COACH MIKE BABCOCK
On tonight’s win: Yeah, I mean, I thought we had a – I mean, our first five minutes was unreal, we could have had four. It was five grade A [scoring chances] in the first and we come away with nothing. What I liked about the game was we had a turnover, they scored, but instead of getting crazy we just stayed with it, stayed with it, stayed with it. We didn’t give up much tonight, which was positive, and stayed the course, got the break there at the end of the period and then just stayed patient in the third too. A lot of times you look at scores after games you think a team blew another team out, it’s 4-1. Well, you’re at the game – everyone gets their points, just stay patient, just do your thing. You get an empty netter, you get another one, everything’s good. You get what you wanted, points-wise and then you get to score a goal and get an assist as well. So, I thought it was a good lesson for us tonight and I thought our guys did a good job.
On what he liked about the win: We just didn’t play as much in our own zone. I mean, you can’t play in your own zone. I don’t care how good you are in there, if you spend too much time there, you take penalties and you get worn out. I thought we had good line changes, I thought we used everybody, I thought our players were engaged. Now, they played last night, you know, so it’s a different program for them too. They won last night, I thought they started real well, we probably got better as the game went on.
On the hit on Matthews in the second period: Yeah, I mean, one thing with that is we’ve got lots of people in League to evaluate it, so I don’t need an opinion.
On if he was concerned Matthews wouldn’t return after the hit: No, I couldn’t understand why he’d leave and then when I saw the hit — because I didn’t see and then I saw the hit in-between periods. So, I said, ‘Okay, I guess that’s why they made him leave.’
On if Dermott or Hyman are available for tomorrow’s game: Not that I know of.
AUSTON MATTHEWS (1 GOAL)
On Muzzin’s equalizer with two seconds left in the second period: That’s huge, gives you momentum going into the [third] period. And, I mean, we felt like we were doing a lot of things right. Obviously, giving up the first goal but, you know, I think we just kept chugging along and obviously a big goal.
On the team believing it would score after generating quality chances: Yeah, we had a lot of good chances, a lot of good looks. I thought our line played pretty well tonight. Great opportunities for the most part, not playing too much D-zone. So that’s always a good sign and when we’re carrying speed and moving the puck together, you know, positive things usually happen.
JAKE MUZZIN (1 GOAL)
On his decision to drive the net at the end of the second period: Yeah, I figured why not? I mean, there’s five seconds left, so, even if they get the puck it’ll be tough to get down the ice and score or have a chance, anyway. So, I just kind of went there and [Spezz] threw it there. It just came to me and sent it in. I mean, kind of lucky, I guess. But yeah, a little time and awareness for the clock and I was allowed to get one. I think it was a big goal for the team to get us going.
On his goal as a relief for the team: I think we felt in here that we had a good period anyways, no matter if we had the goal or not. You know, we did a lot of good things. It was a better game, better start from us, and we built off it so it was nice to – I mean, it’s always nice to score – but I think we were fine in here either way.
MORGAN RIELLY (1 GOAL)
On what the team did well tonight: You know, when we turned the puck over, I thought we did a good job of breaking out, we didn’t spend long periods of time in our D-zone. I thought the forwards did a good job of coming back and, you know, tracking back and not giving up on rushes. Just an all-around group effort. I think it’s important that we focus on that moving forward. And try to do it again.
On Nylander setting up his goal: Yeah, great player. You know, he likes to turn up like that in the offensive zone and he’s got great vision. Great play by Willy.
On the team working to bounce back tonight: Well, I just, you know, I thought that we were motivated. I think that, you know, we wanted to come out and have a good effort. I think when you look back at our past couple games, there’s room for improvement here. And, you know, we’re aware of that, we talked about that and been pretty open about that. I thought we came in and I thought we had a good attitude this morning. You know, lots of energy and I thought it carried over. I thought the guys showed up and did well.
The view from left field 