BOSTON BRUINS QUOTES Round 1, Game 3 Saturday, August 15, 2020

BOSTON BRUINS HEAD COACH BRUCE CASSIDY On the game… I didn't think we were poor in the first 20, we just you know we weren't on top of our game, hands were a little behind, whether that's a 12:00 o'clock start or just Carolina coming out with a little more zip. Listen we addressed it before the game that we needed to be solid away from the puck, so I think our guys were thinking defense to let Jaro get his feet under him. It didn't work out exactly that way, there was a lot of shots, luckily from the outside, but then we got going. I think the power play goal obviously helps, it always gives you life in these close games in the playoffs you know. Carolina plays a very good defensive game, so I think that got us going a little bit and after that I thought we were the better team and end up getting the win and I thought we were full value for it.

On his message to the team… Well the message is we're not going to change the way we play no matter who's in net. We've proven that with Jaro here for the last two years and now the playoffs. We know he's a capable goaltender, the only issue for us is Jaro hasn’t played a lot so we want to make sure you allow him a reasonable time to get back into game mode. So that was a message. Jaro is a popular guy in the room, guys want to play for him, and the next part of that message is it's playoff hockey. We can't be worried about who's out of the lineup. We worry about who's in the lineup. Just like we don't talk about Pasta when he's not here. When he gets back in there he's going to be a good player for us and etc, but the guys that are in there, this is how we're going to play, and it worked out for us.

On if this could galvanize the team… It could, it very well could. Like I said Jaro is a popular guy and they know his abilities. You know now it could be his turn to have a nice run. I think it's in the back of everyone's mind if you know if we want to reach our goals we're going to need a goaltender in there to help us get there. No team gets there without solid goaltending. So maybe this is Jaro’s year. Tuukka had a great run last year. So that's certainly something we can rally around but by the same token it wasn't going to be the end of the world to have Jaro in there. You know we wish Tuukka well with his family but you know we were here to take care of business today and again on Monday. How I found out, I found out this morning through Donnie [Sweeney], I think Tuukka spoke with Cam [Neely] and Donnie about his decision and he relayed that to me. So not going to change the way we play, but it is a bit of a shocker at first. It’s you're starting goaltender that’s a terrific goaltender, but again Jaro we have faith in and so it's a pretty simple sort of mindset to get in. He's our guy, start getting [Dan] Vladar or [Max] Lagace ready in case something happens to Jaro is the next challenge. And no that's it we play and kind of sort through it after the game, here we are, and so I'm sure we’ll have some discussions about if we have to change anything. But I don't think so, I like the way we played today, keep trying to do it the same way.

On if he tried to balance Tuukka’s workload… Well yes I mean I think I have a good relationship with the players. I think we're a tight knit group, all the wives and the children, that's the unfortunate part about one of the unique situations here this year with the playoffs is we're not all together, and that is one of the I think rewards of making the playoffs is you get the families, the kids, the wives are all together and in it together, and I think there's good memories from that for everybody. But with Tuukka I was aware that I know he had his third daughter this spring and it was on his mind leaving here and he wanted to get some things settled at home, but after that it's his business and I don't get into unless you want to discuss it with me, which I think every player is a little bit different that way. So I've certainly talked with Tuukka through training camp etc, but he made the decision to come, so I assumed everything was good at home. But you know deep down that there may be a possibility as Donnie said. But you can't dwell on that. We have a team to get ready. I know it sounds cold but the professional part of it is you got to get a team to get ready to play for the Stanley Cup and then still be there for Tuukka for whatever he needs. So that's what we're doing. Today we got a win, we need two more to win the series, and that will be our focus, and I will certainly find time to reach out to Tuukka at the appropriate time to make sure that he's doing well and his family is doing well.

On Charlie Coyle… Well we need Charlie Coyle to be an effective player for us, an impact player. He doesn't have to dominate every night, I don't think anybody does on our team, but you know we still need secondary scoring. He went on the first unit, we've moved him and Jake around there with Pasta out, we've got a new look with Marchy in front. We’ll have to look at and see how much we generated. I know we got a big goal out of it, that's to me is timely scoring on the power play, not always the percentage, and today it mattered. Shorthanded goal I think I understand they gave it to [Sean] Kuraly but by the same token Charlie was a big part of that. He's added to our penalty kill. When he first got here we didn't give him as much responsibility there, we had other guys in the lineup, but he's kind of pushed his way into that conversation so good for him. You know that means he's playing PP, PK, and driving a line with Jack Studnicka tonight, a young guy. It was [Anders] Bjork in the past, it's been [Nick] Ritchie who hasn’t been here a long time so the onus kind of falls on him to be the leader of that line. So that's what we expect out of Charlie, play well in all those situations. Tonight we got some offense, great we need it, and again proved himself last year in the playoffs a guy that we can rely on and he's proven to be that again.

On if it’s good to know what their goaltending situation is now… Yeah I think there's validity in what you're saying that now that the situation has been, there's finality in it and Jaro’s our guy and again we've got to get a backup ready for Jaro. There will be a little bit of competition in there. But at the end of the day as a coach you want to try to trust your players’ professionalism that they'll be ready to play. I thought Tuukka practiced hard, played well for us the first two games against Carolina, so you know that part of it you got to be a little bit careful as a coach, a guy that’s a veteran guy in the League, had the run he had last year, Vezina Trophy nominee, that he's a good goaltender and he'll get stuff squared away and use this time wisely to do that here. But again I mean family comes first, and that decision was made. So yes then we move on. I know it sounds cold but on the professional part of it we have a job to do here. We move on, it's Jaro’s net and then be there for Tuukka as I said earlier. So that's our game plan right now. Happy for Jaro and I'm sure Tuukka is as well. They have a great relationship and I'm sure he's happy for his teammates Tuukka that we got the win so it's not like there's any animosity there. He's just trying to take care of his family and we're trying to take care of business here in Toronto.

On if he’s proud of his team’s response… Yeah that's a good word proud because that's the first word I used after the game that you know proud of Jaro for answering the call on short notice, proud of the young guys that are playing, some of the like [Par] Lindholm and not that he's young, but it's you know first real [action]. Jack Studnicka, [Connor] Clifton comes into the lineup, proud of the way they responded and proud of the way the whole team played. Jaro, he tried to get the clear, they read it well, but right away on the bench Brad Marchand stands up, hey that's not going to hurt us, we're fine, we're playing well. That's true the whole bench was like that. I think there was no collective let down like, oh boy here it comes. You know we know we're playing our game you know from the second period on. First period enough, we bent, we didn't break, but our guys knew when we have our game, when we're playing Bruins hockey, so that wasn't going to deter us from keep going forward. That doesn't mean you're going to win but you got to keep playing the way you're playing and I thought it showed. And again good response from our guys after a little bit of adversity.

BOSTON BRUINS DEFENSEMAN ZDENO CHARA On Tuukka Rask… I think that we found out shortly before departure of the bus. Obviously our first concern is the health and safety of his family. That's the most important thing we were all kind of thinking about and obviously we support Tuukka’s decision. There is nothing more important than your family. You know at this point we want to make sure that everybody else respects his privacy and you know I think we all just want to wish his family the best and that's it.

On Jaroslav Halak in net… Well we always had you know high confidence in both of our goalies and that hasn't changed. You know I think that we all know the experiences Jaro has from playoffs. You know he's a proven goalie and he's done a number of times and shown a number of times that he can handle these situations. Like I said, we always rely on our goalies throughout our seasons and that hasn't changed.

On the team facing adversity… Well I think that you know we had different guys stepping up again today, some new guys in the lineup. I think it's up to all of us to raise our game and you know support each other and be there for each other every shift and throughout the whole 60 minute and plus plus if we need to be. And you know again we know that we're missing these guys but at the same time we have to go through different adversities throughout the playoffs, that's just a part of it, and we faced another one today.

BOSTON BRUINS FORWARD CHARLIE COYLE On the mood when they hear about Rask… We all want Tuukks [Tuukka Rask] here, but we all want what’s best for his family and we obviously respect his decision. But yeah, Tuukks is such a huge part of this team. He is. We all know that. He has been for a long time. But we respect it. That’s how it is. That’s what’s done. From then on, we have to move forward and I guess Zee [Zdeno Chara] kind of touched on, we have to come together, band together and everybody has a little more responsibility on their shoulders – but we’re capable of that. But yeah, Tuukks is a hard guy to replace, he’s our goalie, but as he said again, we have full confidence in Jaro [Jaroslav Halak] and the other two that we have here as well. We just have to take more responsibility on each other, but that is something we can handle for sure.

On having lots of responsibility, and that helping his play… I think it can. If you’re not on special teams and there are a lot of penalties, sometimes you kind of get lost with the rhythm of your shifts. The regular shifts. When you’re playing that, PK and power play, you’re always in a situation no matter what happens during the game. I think more players than not are going to find their legs a little more, and it’s easier to stay in the game that way, because you’re involved in those situations. If that’s the case, that’s what they have me doing, then I have to take advantage of that opportunity.

On playing with Studnicka… Exactly, that’s what I saw too. Even going in, just talking to him early on, you can tell he’s got a quiet confidence in him for a young. And that’s huge, stepping into a playoff game as a guy of his nature. That says a lot, and he works. And that’s what we need from guys who are stepping in, filling certain roles. And he did that tonight. He was battling. The puck was on his stick a lot of times in the offensive zone, making things happen. That’s what we need from him. He’s got a lot of energy and he has those young legs and he was a big factor for us tonight. So, hats off to him for sure.

BRUINS FORWARD PATRICE BERGERON On Rask… Yeah, obviously we’re supporting him. We’re behind him and we understand. Family comes first. We’ve always said that. Obviously, we’re a tight group in this locker room. We’ve been together for a while and supporting each other. Obviously, we’re thinking about him and we’re supporting that decision. And like you said, this locker room, we’re – doesn’t matter who is being asked to step up, it seems like guys come in and do that every time. Jaro, it’s not an easy task and comes in and gives us a chance to win. He makes some huge saves, especially early on to keep us in the game. And I’m talking about him, but obviously the other guys that came in and played great for us.

On the strain of being away from home… It’s a great question. It’s obviously not easy. Thank god for technology and facetime and having the support of your teammates. That goes a long way. Obviously, miss them very much and try to reach out every day and catch up with them. With that being said, the support of my group, I’m trying to be there for them. They’re there for me. That’s how I look at it. But it’s not easy. Again, I don’t judge anyone that is making that decision.

On what the mood was before the game… It’s kind of how we’re approaching things like that. I think like I said, it goes back to supporting each other. Being there and being together. I think that’s how we approach this today. Showing love and support to Tuukks and then it was about being there for Jaro and support him as well once he came in. He made some huge saves for us and that’s kind of how we’re trying to operate. We don’t want to put too much emphasis on that. We talked about that it is what it is. We’re there for them and we’re here to do a job and. To stay focused on the task and the job at hand.

On the importance of leadership on the bench during the game… It’s huge. We talked about the energy on the bench. It makes a huge difference, especially in a setting like this. Time of the games where you need it even more. Whether you’re scoring a big goal or they’re scoring - trying to get that momentum back. You’re trying to make sure that line that gets back on the ice is on their toes and not getting back on our heels and not letting them take the play to us. So, I think it’s about making sure that you do a lot more of that. You don’t have the fans and those momentum swings that you usually get in a game, you need to make sure that the bench is alive and ready to go.

BOSTON BRUINS GOALTENDER JAROSLAV HALAK On his reaction to the Rask news… Obviously, we are here as one family. There are obviously more important things than hockey in life. He’s going to be at home, so I support his decision and I just want to step in and help the guys. I think they will do the same for me.

On what his day was like… Mistakes, they happen. We try to make the right play out there and I saw an opening, I tried to shoot it out and you know, the guy caught it. It ended up in the net, but you know, we just – we were still up. I know I gave them a little bit of life, but I think we responded the right way. And we kept playing our game until the end. You have to give credit to our guys, just stepping up. Guys coming into the lineup and playing hard. That’s playoff hockey.

On the Rask decision… No, obviously, not, we’re all in the same situation. Obviously, he’s my teammate and a great guy. I just support any decision he makes. Like you mentioned, we are here as one team and as one family and we understand what’s going on. Now we have to focus on hockey. I think today was an example that we just needed to get out there and try to win a game. We have a lead in the series but it doesn’t mean anything. We still have to win a couple more, and it’s going to be hard because they play hard. They forecheck all over the ice and it won’t be easy.

On his readiness after so much time without game action… It’s really hot out there. I have to say, today was – especially having those shots at the beginning, it helped me get into the game. At the same time, just really humid and – but we’re all in the same situation. So really, no complaints at all. We found a way today. That’s the bottom line. We have a hard group. We always try to find a way and that’s the right example.

On the way the veterans stepped up… Injuries are a part of hockey and unfortunately, some of our star guys are out. There are other guys that have to step up and maybe elevate their game. I think there are a few guys that did that. We need more. Obviously, we need everybody in the locker room pulling the same rope. And again, it’s going to be tough on Monday but I’m confident in our group.

CAROLINA HURRICANES HEAD COACH ROD BRIND’AMOUR On Svechnikov… I don’t have an update. I know he’s getting look at right now. It didn’t look very good, obviously. I know he fell really awkward, and certainly it didn’t look good. Hopefully – we’ll know more obviously at some point. I don’t have anything to report.

On the effort… We had a good start. First period was fine. I thought we were better, we had a couple good looks, a post and one real close to being in if not in. I can’t see it going in, it was right there for us. And then we just – we let off the gas a little. That team is too good. If you give them an inch they’re taking a mile. And then they got their game going and we never got to our game, the rest of the game. It was a miracle that we were still in it by a goal toward the end.

On how Boston matches up with them… Yeah, they’re good. Good team. They’re going to make it hard all over the ice. It’s nothing different. When we’re good, when we’re on our game, we’re good. We make it hard for every other team. We’ve seen it. We saw it in this game. First period was fine. We could have had moments. But in this game, we needed everybody on board and we had some guys that weren’t very good today.

On getting the team back on track… How do you do it? It’s always about the next game. It’s always about tomorrow if you have one. We definitely still have time. Right now, it’s tough to see a kid go down, and the injury looks really bad. That’s all that’s going through my head. I hate it for him. That’s it. I can’t comment on anything else to be honest.

On the power play struggles… You wouldn’t have enough time. We were just sluggish – we actually had a good one first period, hit the post. Our entries haven’t been crisp enough. Again, you’re facing one of the best teams in the league. If you’re not sharp, it’s going to look like that. I guess I’d say the power play today kind of epitomized our game. We’re just sluggish and not first to anything and not quite doing anything right. If you had all those things up, it was lucky that were hanging around at the end of the game.