Three Key Matchups for the Ducks Heading into First Round Against the Oilers
Can the Ducks' defense contain McDavid and Draisaitl? A star goalie's performance could be the surprising difference-maker.
Video Transcript
Getting to play a team like Edmonton, you know, w-where do you see your role in, in this series?
Yeah, I mean, you know, you can get fixated on, you know, their two top guys and, you know, at the end of the day I think we have a lot of difference makers in here, and, I put myself into that category.
So just, just trying to, you know, try to be a leader on the team and, and, you know, we have some guys in here that have won Cups, played a long time, and, and yeah, just try to do things the right way and, and be kind of an example.
But, yeah, I mean, I'd- I want to be, you know, a difference maker, like I said.
I think we've got a few guys in here that, you know, I know they've got two of maybe the, if not the best two players in the world.
But, yeah, I mean, I just don't want us to give them too much credit.
I think we've got some really good players in here that, that can make a difference.
Going into this playoffs with a coach like Coach Q and all of the experience he's had, how much confidence does that give your group too?
Yeah, it's just, it, it just, he calms you a little bit knowing, you know, he's been there.
and you can just see it on his face.
I mean, he's won a lot of hockey games, a lot of playoff hockey games, he's won Cups.
and just to see his excitement today, like it just, you can tell it's like Christmas to him, just being able to, you know, you know, game plan for, for one team and, and just the whole playoff format and the, you know, the atmosphere and, and just seeing him excited is, it just, you know, shows you how, how, you know, this is really what you play hockey for.
And, you know, he's done it a bunch of times, but just to see him excited makes me excited.
It's a really good power play they've got over there.
Obviously the easy answer is to just stay out of the box, but how do you approach a series against a team like this where one power play could make or break the game?
Yeah.
well, that's kinda what I'm excited for is, is the playoff kind of, Sorry, we're right in front of Chris Kreider's stall right now.
We can shift this way and I'll keep talking.
But, but that's kinda what I'm excited for is just, you know, the, the chess match or whatever just of, you know, playing one team and being able to kinda systematically change to, you know, whatever their tendencies are.
So, you know, and I'm not on the penalty kill, I don't know what our plan is, but just I just am enjoying from a hockey standpoint just, you know, being able to maybe limit some of their time and space and, yeah, and I, I think just like five on five, just not give them too much space and, and too much respect.
Thank you.
