MacLean also scored what was the most famous goal in Devils history until Jason Arnott's overtime Cup winner. MacLean's overtime goal in the final game of the regular season in 1988 vaulted the team into the playoffs.
"We could feel it," MacLean said of the team's success in 1988 which then included a run to the third round of the playoffs. "We can't say we had that success without saying Lou comes into the picture at that point. And the confidence that he gave us to make that run. We made a coaching change and then we just seemed to gain confidence."
MacLean said that Lamoriello helped the team with his personnel moves but also off the ice.
"He was putting us up in hotels (when the team was at home). He was offering us car services to get there. He was offering us meals," MacLean began. "All he wanted us to do, and he still does it to this day, is play hockey. He took all the distractions away from us."
MacLean went on to talk about the team's near-miss in the third round in 1994, ultimately winning the prize in 1995, his departure from New Jersey and coming back to coach the Devils.
