BOSTON BRUINS POSTGAME QUOTES BOSTON BRUINS VS Saturday, November 10, 2018

BOSTON BRUINS HEAD COACH BRUCE CASSIDY On bouncing back after Thursday’s loss… Yeah, we’ve got a lot of character in the room, so I figured we would. The first 10 minutes was not how we scripted it. I think they put us on our heels. They’re a good team that way. Coming off a game last night I think they wanted to pressure us early, get a lead. It’s a little easier to play that way, and luckily [Jaroslav] Halak was solid early and got ourselves out of trouble, found our game, started transitioning pucks better, and that kind of fell into place. I think everyone contributed. Obviously, the big line shows up on the scoresheet and finishes, but I think the other lines did their job as well and as a result we get a good win against a good team.

On ’s goal… Well, it’s a little deflating for the other team, at times, when you have a lot of pressure on them and then you go down on the other end and when gets in, a tip in front, stoppable puck. It’s a good play by them. They score a lot of goals like that, so it gives us juice, but I think it takes away from them as much as anything. We’re going to keep playing no matter what. We knew we weren’t great here Thursday. We had to be better, so that was an area we wanted to focus on as a good 60- minute effort. We’re starting to find our game, but I think as much as anything I think it put them back on their heels and from then on we seemed to take over and get the momentum.

On if David Pastrnak is doing anything different with his game this year… I think just, honestly, stronger on the puck. Before he’d try his one-on-one moves and he’d get pushed off, and I don’t think he had the strength to battle like Marchy [Brad Marchand] does, for example. So, when he gets second or third effort opportunities to make plays. I think it’s just physical maturity, to be honest with you. A little more willing to hang in front of the net. That’s the Bergy [Patrice Bergeron] effect. I think he’s built that into both his wingers, hey when it’s your turn to get there, get there. You’re not going to live there. Had a bit of a set play, back-door play on the power play. Toronto does expose the front of the net. Pasta [David Pastrnak] was willing to go there, and he got rewarded. It’s those two things. A little more net presence and physically stronger.

On the younger guys learning from Brad Marchand’s play… Well, it is. Usually these things – we have different focuses of our video generally, right? Especially when you have a quick turnaround in games. One of them last week was offensive-zone play, and now we’re seeing we got five the other night, losing effort but still part of that. Tonight, some of it’s power play, but some of our five-on-five offensive play is improving and some of that is teachable moments for an Anders Bjork because he finds himself in those spots. If you watch him he has the puck a lot below the goal line, but the same plays don’t materialize because the second wave of guys knock him of it, so I think it’s just a natural progression for him. He looks stronger than he did last year, and a year from now I think he’ll see more out of those low plays against heavy defensemen. In open space, David [Pastrnak] has always been good here, since he was 18-years-old. I think Jake [DeBrusk] is even another guy who’s taken a stride from last year. The play he made the other night, squeezing along the boards. Now he’s stronger and sticks with it. Some of it’s maturity, some of it’s knowing in the league that you need to have second effort because players are good. You can’t give up on pucks because you might not get another chance. That’s kind of what I see relating to those two guys. We’ve got more young guys that their game’s going to have to grow. I think it will. I’ve seen it already.

On Jakob Forsbacka Karlsson… He was good. I would’ve liked to get him more minutes as the game went on but we tried to keep with the 26 matchup, that line, Johnsson. We thought it would be good for him, made a great play to Jake [DeBrusk] back door, winning the puck, being strong on it. I thought he was in the middle of the ice well, won some board battles. The message to him, I think we talked about it the morning, was similar to the Grizz [Matt Grzelcyk] comparison. We took Matt Grzelcyk aside this morning. They played together at BU. Hey, Grizzy explain a little bit how it worked out for you because they are buddies and teammates. Sometimes a player translating those thoughts is easier than a coach and just play hockey. He skates well enough, thinks well enough, has NHL skills. It’s just a matter of play the game, play to your strengths. Tonight, was step one. I think he was better than I’ve ever seen him in that area, and tomorrow hopefully he gets a little confidence from it, and he’s able to translate.

On if the Bruins first line played well defensively… I think they were set to play a good, solid defensive game today. Jay [Pandolfo] had them in the room doing some video of some of the breakdowns either yesterday or this morning. They realized they needed to reset in that area a little more, stopping and starting. They’re pretty good that way. It’s why they’re, I think, the best two-way line in the league. They don’t let it slide very often. I think we saw that tonight. They were finding loose pucks in the seams We had one breakdown in the third period. [John] Tavares got loose in front. We didn’t lock a lane, but other than that I thought they were really good.

On what he talked to the referees about before the second period… Prior to the second period…I felt that Bergy [Patrice Bergeron] was getting thrown out of a lot of draws, so I asked if they could clarify what was going on with him. It’s a repeating issue when we play the Toronto Maple Leafs, so I thought I’d have my conversation and see if they could allow him to stick around for a few of the draws. Marchy [Brad Marchand] was taking more than Bergy after a while. I think guys get thrown out, but it was at an incredibly high rate, so I wonder if there was an influence from an outside factor, so we talked about it a bit about he could do to stay in there. So, that was basically the conversation.

On their first power play being the best the team’s faced this year… I think the one’s pretty good too, but yes on par, on par. Absolutely. [Laughter]

On if he was worried during their power play… We know that they chuck pucks to the net. It’s their M.O., and [Mitch] Marner’s real good at disguising pass, shot, when, chip it in there. [Nazem] Kadri’s hard in front, [Patrick] Marleau. They missed [Auston] Matthews on the other elbow, snapping it in. That’s obviously a dangerous weapon, so you need to get clears in those situations or good sticks so that what doesn’t happen on the goal [John] Tavares scored is we came out of the box. That’s the one you want to avoid, that seam pass, and I think if we had let him shoot the puck there Jaro’s [Jaroslav Halak] square, so he makes the save and then gets beat in the seam. So, that’s the one area that we concentrate on. Letting them have that shot as opposed to giving them an easy seam pass. We’re not giving up the shot, but if that’s what we had to do, then get the clear from there. And we kept it out of our net, so mission accomplished even though it didn’t look good. He made some good saves, Jaro, wasn’t exactly the way we like because I think if you get the clear on the rebound then now they have to set up again, but if they keep getting second and third and fourth chances then chuck it at the net eventually. We got away with it, but that was kind of what we liked to do. Get the clears on those, recover the front of the net, outnumber them there because they get a lot of bodies there.

On if he’s hesitant on bringing Jaroslav Halak back tomorrow… Right now, no. I haven’t had a conversation with him to make sure physically he’s fine. I don’t believe there will be an issue. It’s a 7:00 game. We won’t skate in the morning, just get up and go and have a few meetings. If not, [Dan] Vladar’s here, played great on Friday, but I would suspect Jaro’s [Jaroslav Halak] will be ready to go.

On pairing Matt Grzelcyk with Zdeno Chara in the middle of the first period… No, the first. I just found our puck moving with Bergy’s [Patrice Bergeron] line against that forecheck wasn’t where it needed to be. Grizz [Matt Grzelcyk] moves the puck well, added a little bit of mobility, allowed Brandon [Carlo] to play against [Nazem] Kadri. That group, [Patrick] Marleau heavier. So, that’s just something in game that I made just to allow a little more mobility or puck – Brandon’s mobile I shouldn’t say – just puck-moving ability. Get it up into Bergy’s line’s hands because we did want to stick with the Bergy versus [John] Tavares matchup. It worked out well tonight.

BOSTON BRUINS FORWARD PATRICE BERGERON On why you got kicked out… You tell me. When you find out, you let me know.

On bouncing back after last game… Yeah, you know, we wanted to bounce back. I thought it was a great game from top to bottom. Obviously, everyone played a great game and, you know, no matter what the situation was we stuck with it and kept going on our toes, and kept going forward. So, I thought it was a great effort by everyone.

On making defensive adjustment after the period against Toronto’s first line… No, we just kept going. It’s something we talked about before the game that they’re going to get some chances, they’re a good line, and I thought we handled it pretty well.

On watching Pastrnak this season… Yeah, for sure. He gets open that’s the thing, and he finds that soft area, but that being said, he works hard to get puck back and being good on the forecheck to make sure that we can go and stay on the attack. So, those are details that go a long way.

On Toronto playing last night and being tired… I wouldn’t say that we sensed that, but I think that’s something that we talked about before the game – that we had to take advantage of that. It’s not easy traveling on a back-to-back, and we were fresh, and we had to bounce back, so we had to put the puck deep and try to get away from turnovers to make sure that we were making them skate as much as possible, go and get the puck. After a while, it’s not easy.

On seeing Pastrnak develop into a well-rounded player… I think that’s something that he’s worked on a lot the last few years, and he’s really developing his game all around. It pays dividends for him and for our line. It’s great to see, and he’s obviously a great talent, and he’s so good at getting open. So, when you add being tenacious on the puck and winning battles, that makes a big difference.

On getting excited to play Toronto even though it’s November… Yeah, of course. There was a lot of things tonight that we had to obviously bounce back from from last game, but like you were saying, we’re playing divisional rival, original six, a team that we face in playoffs, so yeah, it’s one of those games that you’re obviously ready for and looking forward to.

On Toronto’s play and how Vladar responded… Yeah, we talked about it. They’re playing kind of just like Carolina, same kind of style where they throw everything on net even though it’s from corners and even bad angel shots, and then they get some traffic there…but that’s how you get to 20 shots in one period. So yeah, he was amazing. He kept us in the game, and I kept saying that but we needed a bounce back from everyone and he’s definitely one of those guys that you can tell he was ready for that game and he was terrific.

On Bruce Cassidy talking to the officials about why you got kicked out… Yeah, to be honest I didn’t notice that. It’s one of those things, you know, that’s going to happen throughout the year. You got to be better, you got to adjust, and try to talk to them to see what they’re looking for and that’s it. I guess it’s life and to me I’m never going to try to put the blame somewhere else, you know. I have to be better and find ways to not get kicked out.

BOSTON BRUINS DEFENSEMAN ZDENO CHARA On bouncing back from Thursday night’s loss against Canucks… Yeah we want to have a strong game, for sure. You know, we knew we didn’t play near our best and so that’s why we wanted to have a really strong game tonight.

On being ahead in goals the first period but the Leafs being ahead in shots on goal… Yeah, they were putting a lot of pressure on us and throwing a lot of pucks, but Jaro [Jaroslav Halak] made some big saves, we think we did a pretty good job in front of the net clearing the pucks, and they got some power plays so they were shooting a lot of pucks at the net. So, obviously the shot clock was in their favor, by a big difference, but I think in the second we evened it out pretty closely and then I thought we did a good job capitalizing on some scoring chances we had.

On the key to getting the team relaxed after starting out frantically… Just believing in the system and the players we have that we can make plays and, you know, it’s not going to be perfect throughout the sixty minutes, you know, there are good teams, there are good players we play against and they’re going to make some plays as well. You just got to believe that we will defend well and get through it, and eventfully we will get our looks and play the way we want to play if we play the right way and defend well and usually we go the other way and make plays over there.

BOSTON BRUINS FORWARD DAVID PASTRNAK On if he had fun in tonight’s game... Yeah, it was a lot of fun. I love playing against Toronto, so it was fun.

On getting the lead in the first period... Yeah, well, it’s normal. Usually when you’re waiting on teams who’s coming from back-to-back games, they usually fly the first period, so we knew and I think we were ready. We gave them a couple outside shots but Jaro [Jaroslav Halak] was on, he was ready, and he was playing great. So, good we got the first goal and I think since then we were the much better team and then gave them nothing.

On if getting a hat trick or keeping the John Tavares line off the score sheet is better... Yeah, I think overall as a line we had a great bounce-back game and lately we’ve been getting many opportunities in five-on-five so it was great to be back, you know, and we were happy with our game today. You know, we talked before the game that we need to be better than what we’ve shown the last couple games and that’s what we did.

On his assist on Patrice Bergeron’s goal... Guys, [Eric] Russo is getting after it, eh guys? Yeah. I’m not used to you asking questions, so I totally lost you. So, can you ask one more time?

On his assist on Patrice Bergeron’s goal... Yeah, I mean, we were talking about that – putting pucks on the net – and Bergy [Patrice Bergeron] drove into the crease with his stick on the ice and Marchy [Brad Marchand] was right behind him, so I just tried to put it front of the net and Bergy had a great stick and get in a big goal for us.

On how much more comfortable he feels going into corners for puck battles... Yeah, I mean, like I feel good physically and I felt good today – to be honest it was the first time after a while since I’ve felt good – and I thought they were going to come strong side so I had a good angle on him and got the puck back.

On what he did differently today to feel so good... No, I mean, like physically I felt better and I don’t know what I did differently. A good dinner maybe, a good breakfast, say a couple of swear words and went to bed [laughs].

On how much he’s improved when playing away from the puck... Yeah, I mean, I said it a couple times – it’s so easy to get better in these kinds of places, in the D zone and stuff. When I play with Bergy, he won a Selke, he’s a great defensive player and so I say it’s easy for me to learn. I’ve been playing with him for a while, so I’m so much more comfortable there and just making the right play and don’t look back.

BOSTON BRUINS GOALIE JAROSLAV HALAK On bouncing back from the loss on Thursday… I think team-wise, individual-wise, we wanted to just come out and play our game obviously we took that penalty at the beginning and they kind of got into the game. They had a good start, you have to give them credit but I think we bounced back and the second and third period I think we played really well.

On whether he thought it was going to be a long night after Toronto’s first power play… We just wanted to kill the first one and be 0-0. We were able to do that and I think after that we started playing our game. Obviously we didn’t get a lot of shots in the first period but I think we had some good chances, we scored the goal. I think our power play was good tonight.

On how difficult the shots were on that first power play… I think our power play was good and they scored some big goals and even the one at the end so we just have to give those guys the credit. They’ve been playing together for a long time and they know where they stand on the ice. When you give them a chance eventually they get one.

On his impressions of the leadership of Patrice Bergeron’s line… They show it on and off the ice, they are leaders. They proved it tonight, they came back after that loss. We all knew that we had to play better and that wasn’t our game. I think tonight that was our best line and they showed it again that they are the leaders of the team.

On likely playing tomorrow in a back-to-back and the challenges that comes with that… Just get a good sleep tonight, same routine, but like I said get some rest tomorrow probably no ice, get a good pre-game meal and play a game. I will see, they [Vegas Golden Knights] are traveling from Montreal their guys need to get some sleep tonight too. It’s going to be a tough night, they got a good team it’s going to be a difficult challenge and we need to be ready.

BOSTON BRUINS FORWARD BRAD MARCHAND On how exciting it is to watch David Pastrnak’s development… He’s had years where he’s come out really hot and kind of tapered off but confidence level he has now, the way he’s shooting the puck, I don’t think it’s going to. He’s an incredible player, he has a ton of talent and he’s figuring the game out now which is making him even more dangerous. It’s been a lot of fun to watch him.

On Pastrnak’s improvements away from the puck… He’s not even when he has the puck but defensively stopping pucks being on lanes coming back hard. The way that he’s playing his position is really transforming him, not just good offensively but a good two-way player and every team has good guys offensively but if you’re able to get those top guys to buy in defensively and play a two-way game that’s what you need to win. He’s going to be the future of the franchise so for him to play that way it only pushes everyone to play even better.

On bouncing back from a loss on Thursday… Yeah we wanted to be ready. They came out really good and Hally [Jaroslav Halak] kept us in it. Yeah we bounced back and it was a great way to respond, we can be happy with it but we have to let ourselves let it go it’s just one game and then we worry about the next one.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HEAD COACH MIKE BABCOCK On the loss… Well we didn’t score and then they came out and did, they got energy obviously. Then the rest is history. It’s an unfortunate thing we didn’t get it done when we had all those opportunities early. In the end we end up chasing the game.

On change in second period… They scored, like I said we were all over them through the first period. I thought they came out scored and they got energy and were quicker than us in the second period. I still thought we had a real great start to the third, we had ourselves set up when we took the penalty, we gave up the next then that was it.

On Bergeron’s line… Well they really did on the power play, they got a couple there on the power play for sure they were good obviously. They got a real good line and their power play has really been clicking coming in. It’s not the best in the league but it’s moving fast in that direction. You got to give him credit he’s a good player and he’s playing with good linemates.

On Garrett’s performance … I haven’t looked at the tape so I can’t really tell you. The bottom line is you win together and lose together. We got off to a good start, we had everything going the way we wanted. Looked like we were prepared, looked like we had good energy, in the end they were better. We’ll just get regrouped and get back at her.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS PLAYER JOHN TAVARES On second and third period… They got some momentum in the second after a really good start, we did some better things in the third. Obviously wasn’t the result we wanted, we just got to do a better job against their top line. We neutralized them well, they obviously capitalized on an opportunity in the first. We played in their zone most of the night, they got some life on the power play. Obviously they made some plays tonight, if we’re able to limit that I think it’s a different hockey game.

On Bruins top line… They’re obviously very creative, very smart hockey players, opportunistic. Patrice Bergeron is one of the most complete players in the game and doesn’t give you much room the other way. They don’t give you a whole lot, offensively as well. Really it’s a chess match and just making sure you’re doing the best you can on limiting their time and space and making them have to defend, we did that for good stretches tonight but not enough obviously they capitalized on their opportunities.

On conversation with Patrice Bergeron… It was during the free agency period, just talking about the Bruins. About when I was going through that process.

On loss after great start… It’s obviously a what if so, at the end of the day we just got to find a way to get back playing our game and respond. It doesn’t always go the way you would like it to go, we just got to find a way respond and keep ourselves in the hockey game and not let it get away from us the way it did. There were a lot of good things especially with that start, the way we were skating and causing turnovers and putting pressure on them. Almost twenty shots in the first, just got to stay with it. Obviously you’re going to expect a team like that that’s very proven and talented to respond. We got to give ourselves a better opportunity to win.

On effects of game… Anytime you lose it’s not a good feeling, it leaves a sour taste in your mouth especially against a division rival. There’s no doubt it’s always in the back of your mind, you’re looking forward to changing that and getting a better feeling in here and preparing for the next game. Dwelling on it and feeling down on yourself isn’t always the best approach, just enjoy a travel day tomorrow back on the road with the team. Get some good time with the guys and prepare for a tough test on Tuesday.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS DEFENSEMAN On if things got away from them after a great start on the road… A few power play goals against. Not enough for. They did a good job playing D and we didn’t do as well.

On if it is the same as usual with pairing against the Bergeron line… Yes. They played well. They’re tough to match up against. They’re good.

On if they are going to leave this game behind since they’re going to the west coast… Yeah, I think you have to. You know, we have a couple big games coming up, a few road games. We’ve been good on the road. Hopefully we can get back to that in .

On if this game boils down to how they started… I don’t know I thought we had a good start, obviously. It didn’t go in and that’s unfortunate. It’s a sixty minute game. So, it’s important to have a good start. I thought we did that then we didn’t follow up.

TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS GOALTENDER On if the game got away from them… You know, we had a great first period. We came out firing. Can’t be down one to nothing going into the first intermission there. Obviously their power play is pretty good, so. They got skilled players.

On the Bruins’ top line… Well I think the immediate obviously thing is that their straight in how they look for each other across the zone. It’s not like their looking to set each other up you know ten feet away. They are making passes fifty, sixty feet and one-timing them. It was just a different look. You don’t go up against lines like that very often. There aren’t a lot of lines like that in the NHL. It was an interesting experience going up against them and you know I know what I have to do next time if I want to get the best of them.

On his comfort level after not playing for a while… It wasn’t bad. I mean, it was, I dint feel bad. I think that obviously the time between starts is you can use it one of two ways. You cause it to sharpen your game or you can use it to just sit there and wait for the next start. I think I have been doing great work in practice and stuff. I don’t know if it translated tonight but overall I feel like, I didn’t feel like I was bad in goal tonight.

On if there is a part that takes more adjustment than others… I would just say their ability to find people through the zone and make passes that you just don’t see at lower levels of pro hockey.

On how he’s felt about the practice period since his last start… Oh I been happy with what I have been doing. Obviously not that happy with the result tonight so I’m going to get right back after it and kick it up a few more notches.

On if it is good to possibly get a chance again next week… Yeah it’s a new challenge sitting long times between starts. It’s almost like you forget that feeling of being in the net. You try to say practices are like a game but you just can’t recreate game play. Obviously, if I get another opportunity I’m going to look to do a little bit more with it.

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