POSTGAME QUOTES BOSTON BRUINS VS Sunday, September 16, 2018

BOSTON BRUINS ASSISTANT COACH JOE SACCO POSTGAME On Jakub Lauko… Well, it was his first game, obviously, and he played well. He played hard, eighteen-year-old kid, didn’t seem phased by anything out there really. Competed, obviously scoring the is a bonus, but just the way he played the game, the way he approached the game tonight. It was a good start for him. I mean you don’t want to get ahead of yourself here, but certainly it was a good first game for him. I thought he showed a lot of composure for his first game. He seemed to be calm, played hard, didn’t seem like he was nervous at all out there, so it was a good start for him.

On Axel Andersson… I thought he played similar as Lauko. The two of them I thought for young kids played well tonight. Again, seemed really poised back there, wasn’t nervous, went back for pucks, didn’t seem to get rattled or anything. Even when the pressure came on him a few times he didn’t seem to back off, he stuck with it. I would put those two guys, as far as young guys, in the same category as getting off to a good start for their first game overseas here playing against a team that was obviously missing a lot of players, but they came out hard, especially in the second half of the game. They started to pressure us, and they handled it well, both those guys.

On Zane McIntyre… He wasn’t tested early all that much and then when they started to press towards the third period obviously towards the end there on the power plays that they ran up there, he played well. He made some big saves. He played well, and then in the shootout. He came up big in the shootout, so good on him, good start for him, too.

On the chemistry of the top line (David Krejci and Danton Heinen) I liked it. I thought it was good. I thought that those two guys seemed to have the puck quite a bit. Krech [David Krejci] had it on a string there earlier on in the game, the first half of the game. I thought they played well. I thought the two of them showed they’re smart, they’re good with the puck, they make good decisions, and they have a high-skill level with the puck. I thought it was a good start for those two guys as far as trying to form a little bit of chemistry with each other.

On when the team will start making personnel decisions… Well, we really haven’t discussed it too much. I think that we have the practice tomorrow. We’ll keep the groups here tomorrow. We have the game on Tuesday and then probably make some more decisions after Tuesday, but that’ll probably be something that Donnie [Don Sweeney] will discuss with us at the right time. As far as tomorrow we’re going to keep everybody with the groups we had yesterday except tomorrow will be a little different practice. We’re only going to run two sessions, not three sessions, but we’ll still have, I’d imagine, everybody here.

On if everybody’s healthy… Yes.

On why he gave Daniel Winnik the faceoff during the overtime kill… I mean he’s a left-handed shot. I think that I put him out there on the side where he was on his backhand side. I actually put him out earlier on his forehand side, so I guess there’s no rhyme or reason. We had an idea of a couple of guys that we wanted to use five-on-three that could probably get the job done, or at least be in a situation where they were familiar with being in that type of environment and give them the opportunity.

BOSTON BRUINS DEFENSEMAN AXEL ANDERSSON On whether he’s happy with his performance today… Yeah, I think so. It went pretty good. I played my own game, so I’m pretty happy with that.

On being composed when some players may have been nervous… Yeah, I tried not to think about that, just to play hockey.

On what it was like to play with Zdeno Chara… As I said before, he’s such a role model, and yeah, he’s great on and off the ice, so he made me comfortable.

BOSTON BRUINS FORWARD DANTON HEINEN On playing with Krejci and the team’s performance… Yeah it was nice to play with him [David Krejci]. You know, obviously not as crisp as we’d like first game, but I thought we had a few looks, a little bit of zone time, and I thought it was an okay start.

On Krejci being known for slowing the play down and being methodical, and whether he had to adjust to that style… Yeah, I think, you know, you’ve just got to be more patient, and you know he’s going to hang onto it and he will find you. So yeah, I think just, you know, things happen when the puck is in his hands and you know, like you said, it’s the first game and focusing on getting your game legs back and everything, but you know, it was fun to play with him.

On having the shootout winner… Yeah, I was… I mean, the ice wasn’t great, so my mindset was if there’s an opening take the shot, but kind of faked it and didn’t see much, so yeah luckily tucked it in the back.

On whether he’s more comfortable this year compared to last year… Yeah, I think so. I think… yeah, a little more confident. I think I want to just keep on trying to grow every game, and you know, like I said, there’s nothing like game shape, so you’re just trying to get… get your legs going, get back into game shape, so you know, that’s what I’m trying to focus on.

On whether he enjoyed playing with Krejci… Yeah. Yeah, I think…I talked about it a little bit. He likes to hang onto it and make good plays, so yeah, it’s fun playing with a guy like that, and I thought it was okay and obviously not as crisp as we would’ve liked, so it was an okay start.

BOSTON BRUINS FORWARD DAVID KREJCI On whether it was good to get out there quickly in camp and get some game action… Yeah, 100 percent, it was good. It’s always fun to get back. It’s been a while since we played a game, so practice is one thing, but it was good to get the first one out of the way.

On what he thought of the effort from the young players… Yeah, I thought the young guys handled themselves pretty well. You know, you could see some guys did some good things offensively, and we stuck to a defensive game plan. So - obviously mistakes were there, but that’s understandable first game back, but overall we got a win so it was a good day.

On how it felt with Danton Heinen on his right side… Good, I thought we created lots of chances, especially the first period. Could have had easily a few goals, but that’s how it goes, you know. It’s not really so much about goals now, just to get the good habits. Like I said, you know, we knew we had some mistakes, but it’s a good thing we made a win in the preseason so just try to get better tomorrow.

On seeing another Czech player get a goal in his first game… Really good to see him put one in net, you know. I remember my first training camp, you know, so obviously those goals you never forget, so I was really happy for him.

On the lighting in the rink… You know, when you sit on the bench, it looks a little different but nothing crazy, but once you’re on the ice you don’t really think about it. You’re just trying to focus on your game, so once you jump over the boards it’s just the same thing.

On whether the color of the advertisements affects their play… Yeah, but especially, you know, I think goalies might have kind of more to say to that because, you know, they see everything right? The puck is a little bit high, if it gets lost a little bit in the stands. I don’t know. You’re going to have to ask the goalies, but for us, yeah sitting on the bench you can kind of see the difference. The ice is a little more white, and then the stands are a little more dark, but at the same time once you hop over the boards it’s just the game.

BOSTON BRUINS FORWARD JAKUB LAUKO On his first game in Boston… It was good for like the first game and I scored. It was good, great experience, and looking forward to the next game.

On any big adjustments after today’s game… Yeah, I handled some chances. So, it was good, it was good. I enjoyed it much.

On blocking shots… I learned it, so when there’s a chance to block a shot, I’m not afraid to block it.

On trying to prove you can play over here… I’m trying. I’m trying a lot. I’m trying to learn on the ice and off the ice. And I hope I can stay for next season – here or Providence. I want to stay in America.

On scoring your first goal… Yeah, it was good – the feeling after. I didn’t know what to do. I was there like “oh my god I scored, what do I do now?” So, it was good. Nice feeling.

On nerves before the game… I’m never nervous, so I think it’s a good thing for me that I’m never nervous. So, yeah, just fun.

On your goal and other chances you had… I think the best other chance for me was in the third period when I came for a rebound and he broke my stick.

On having a good game today… Yeah, I feel so. I made some mistakes. I scored a goal. But I feel like a little bit sad that when they scored the goal against us, it was my mistake. It was my player.

On skating with Krejci… Yeah, I’m trying to take everything from him. He’s a very good player maker. I’m not nervous to play with him, I’m trying to take the best of it.

BOSTON BRUINS GOALTENDER ZANE MCINTYRE On today’s game... Yeah, it was nice playing a full game, to be honest – just getting the ebbs and flows of a whole game. I mean, there’s sometimes where you see half the game and you don’t get to see all the shots that you’d like, or to feel the actual pressure when they’re hemming you in and stuff, so it was good to actually experience that and it’s good to get back playing games, too. I mean, we do goalie drills and stuff all summer, but once you actually get into the game it makes a big difference – game speed.

On playing when players are improvising... I think the first period was kind of indicative of that. I mean, probably the second half of the first period we started initiating play a little bit more, but it was maybe a feeling out process between the two teams right away when the puck dropped, but at the same time too, guys are competing for jobs which I think individually raises the tempo between the team and stuff. So, I don’t know, end of day we’re getting back there and we’re building towards the regular season and it’s good to see these reps and see these game situations.

On his save against Brett Connolly with five minutes left in the game... Yeah, just kind of going through the ropes you learn to maybe take a little view of what’s going on in the neutral zone as they’re coming into the zone, so I was able to see he was a right shot on that right side and he was able to get it off quick, so I knew that I had to get over there fairly quick to stop it.

On not seeing a lot of shots in the first two periods... Yeah, we did a good job defensively. All the guys stepped up, played well, and we moved the puck out of our zone really effectively which helped us get in on our end and just play hockey down there.

On his mindset going into this camp... Initiate. Initiate the process, initiate when I get on the ice, and initiate that opportunity.

On being assertive and aggressive this camp... Yeah, absolutely.

On if that approach is different than ones he’s taken in the past... No, I don’t think so. I think to a different degree of magnitude, I think it is now. More so now that it’s hey, let’s do this, it’s time, you know. So, initiate the process a little bit.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS HEAD COACH TODD REIRDEN POSTGAME On the performance of goalkeeper Pheonix Copley… Yeah, definitely, I really liked Pheonix, I liked his composure. Really confident, I think that’s what you’re looking for. The players that are playing in front of him need to have confidence in that guy, and you know, he knew it was an important game for him, and I think he did an excellent job. From the players playing in front of him and the coach that was behind the bench, I thought it was a really solid game for him.

On his overall thoughts… You know, it is tough for evaluation — it’s an early game, and you know, just two days of trying to implement some systems and stuff, but it was important for us to get some people that have never had that opportunity and see how they do in an NHL situation. I just was pleased that our game got better as we went on, so I thought, initially, with some young guys, whether it’s new to an NHL game or new to our organization, we started a little bit slow, and then I liked our third period. I thought we played a lot better. Obviously, earned some opportunities in the overtime with the power play, and you know, we gave ourselves a chance there, so there were some good things, definitely a bright future for some of these young guys down the road.

On if he had any nerves… Not really — from going through a preseason in the past, you know I’ve been able to go through this before, so I think more excitement than nerves, but officially — at the time I was under the intern role — this was my first time as a head coach, officially. You know, it was good, and in these situations, you have to make sure that you’re aware of how you evaluate things. The big thing now is that you’ve got to take a step back, let the players do their thing, and they’re either going to make the team or not make the team, if you put them in the right situations. We brought some different coaches with us today and got different opportunities, and it’s about growth of our organization. A game like this today is a great opportunity for everyone to grow in different regards, and I think it was a decent start for us.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS FORWARD BRETT CONNOLLY On his overall thoughts… First period, I think, took a little bit to get our legs going…but I thought we got better as the game went on. Early morning this morning — right on a plane, right to the rink, right into a game, so never easy, but I thought we competed for the whole night. Lot of guys’ first exhibition game, and I thought everybody did a good job. Our goalies played really well, you know, but we lost, but it was a good start.

On the performance of goalkeeper Pheonix Copley… Great — kept us in the game, for sure. We ended up getting overtime with our goalies, and he was the one that was starting us off. They had a lot of chances early. They were pushing. They had a little more depth than us, early, as expected, but I thought that both goalies did a great job and kept us in the game. Like I said, it’s a good start for us.

On the importance of backup goalies… For sure, I think especially with Holts [Braden Holtby], he would tell you he wants to play all of the games, but you know, he needs some rest as well, and when he’s not playing, we need a guy to go in there and play hard and play well, and I thought it was a good start for Cops [Copley]. Great guy, works hard every day, lots to learn and get better. Last year, in the playoffs, he was always on the ice. Last guy — we were always taking shots, and maybe not the most fun to take one-timers every day in the playoffs, but he’s always in there, and he’s working and he wants to get better, and I thought he was great tonight.

On the coaching style of Todd Reirden compared to … Obviously they’re different people, different personalities. I think it’s going to be an easy transition for him. We’re excited about a fresh voice behind the bench. It’s always nice. Obviously, Barry did a great job here, and obviously winning everything last year, you know, it was great for a lot of guys and really did a great job with our group, but it’s a new year, and it might be good to have a fresh voice, you know, to hear behind you. It’s been a good start. I think we’re kind of going into training camp a little lighter this year, a little smarter knowing that we went so late just to make sure guys are ready. I think for us, we just need to be healthy and be feeling good and get better as the year goes on, and we’ll be fine. It’s going to be a lot of fun, this training camp, this year, and guys are excited to get going.

WASHINGTON CAPITALS GOALTENDER PHEONIX COPLEY On his overall thoughts… Yeah, it felt good. I didn't like the first goal, but overall, I felt pretty good.

On whether he could clearly see the play on the first goal… Yeah, there was a little traffic, kind of moving around, but it’s kind of expected.

On if he has felt that he has recovered enough… Yeah, I mean, every game is an opportunity to showcase skills and, yeah, overall, I’m happy with it, but yeah, there’s still stuff I can work on.

On proving himself… Absolutely, there’s nothing for certain. Everything, you’ve got to earn. Every time I’m on the ice, I want to prove that I’m the guy for that spot.

On when he started feeling like himself again after his injury… It took some time. Obviously, it lingered longer than I wanted it to, but I feel really good now, and I’m not really focused on that now.

On if the injury lingered through last season… Yeah, like I said, it kind of lingered through last season and went through spells where I didn’t really feel it and then I did, but I did some work this summer, and like I said, I feel really good now, and that’s what I’m focused on.

BOSTON BRUINS ASSISTANT COACH JOE SACCO PREGAME On whether Danton Heinen will be playing with David Krejci… Yes. Yeah, he’ll be on the right side with Krejci. [Ryan] Fitzgerald will play the left side with them. Good opportunity, like we talked about the other day, for Danton to get some ice time obviously with an established player of Krejci’s nature, and he’ll be on the power play tonight, this afternoon I should say, so good look… good chance for him.

On whether Zane McIntyre will be starting… Zane will be starting, yes. Zane’s the starting goaltender, McIntyre.

On whether McIntyre will play the whole game… The plan is for him to play the whole game, yes.

On goaltenders typically splitting preseason games and why that has changed… I think it goes back to what we were talking about the other day, that guys are just so conditioned now. They come into training camp ready to roll, so you’re not as guarded as you were before as far as playing them a full game. That just, like I said, goes back to them getting themselves ready in the summer for the preseason. That’s really what it comes down to.

On whether today’s game is strictly evaluation of their skills or evaluation of whether they know the system… Well, it’s a little bit of both. I think the number one priority for our players here this afternoon is to go out and play the game of hockey. We’ve given them information over the last few days, you know, whether it be systems, you know, the structure of our team, how we want to play, but the message is to those guys, especially the younger guys, is go out and play. You know, you’re here for a reason. Don’t get yourself paralyzed by all the information that we’ve given you. We’ll deal with mistakes. Mistakes can be corrected from the coaching staff. We’re looking to see the pace that they play with, the energy that they bring to the game more so than anything else right now, and there’s a lot of young guys in the lineup tonight. There’s a couple 18-year-old kids in the lineup tonight, so, you know, one guy’s playing with Zee [Zdeno Chara]. You know, his first game he’s playing with Zee, so, you know, they’re nervous, and that’s human nature for them to be nervous, so our job is to make sure that we try to take that burden off them a little bit by just letting them play hockey.

On whether they’ll evaluate in more depth during the next preseason game… Well I don’t want to say they’re not being evaluated because every time you step on the ice you are being evaluated. I mean that’s just the way it is. It’s the , but, you know, you’re being evaluated. People are being evaluated at different stages, though, of training camp, you know, so… but every time you step on the ice, you’ve got to show why you’re here. You’re here for a reason. Somebody in the organization believes in you.

On Patrice Bergeron’s first training camp and his lack of mistakes and ability to adapt quickly to the Bruins system… But those guys are hard to find. You know, I wouldn’t expect too many guys not to go out there and make mistakes, and it’s the first game of the year for them. They haven’t played in months, but, you know, there’s a fine line like I said to you before. I don’t want to repeat myself, but you want them to play. We have some structure in place, but the bottom line is just go out and play and do what you do best.

On whether there is a different energy for him when he is in charge of the bench… Yeah, I’ve been awake early today. I can fall asleep as an assistant a little. [Laughing] No, it’s not that much of a change. I mean, I just want to make sure I’m sharp on the bench. I want to make sure that the guys are ready, the next line’s ready to roll. You know, that our shifts are short here this afternoon. I don’t want… I told our guys I don’t want them to get over extended, to get themselves over there around 50, 55 seconds. They’re going to find themselves in trouble, so I just want to make sure that, you know, we’re managing the bench properly.

On how the communication has been with Head Coach Bruce Cassidy while the team is in China… It’s been okay. It’s tough because of the time change. I mean obviously the 12-hour time change makes a difference, but we’ve exchanged lots of texts back and forth, Butch and I, and obviously he’s checking up on the progress here, how camp’s going here. He’s also in touch with Donny [Don Sweeney] as well, so the communication has been pretty good as far as being overseas with the time change and everything. It’s more or less just making sure that things are going smoothly here.

#09/16/18#