"Until you're officially eliminated, obviously you still have a chance. Montreal has a couple games against Toronto now. We were coming into this game with a must-win mentality. You lose 5-on-5 and special teams, you're not going to win most nights."
ON GENERATING OFFENCE:
"They're obviously a team who likes to pack it in the neutral zone. It's tough to get through. We had a game plan. We didn't execute at times and other times we got through. But you've got to find ways to get to the net, get opportunities. I think the looks we did have, (Connor Hellebuyck) made the saves on. We didn't score, so we didn't generate enough."
MIKAEL BACKLUND ON EMOTIONAL ENGAGEMENT:
"It wasn't the game we wanted. ... I don't think we were desperate enough. but we still have five games left and we're going to leave it all out there. We'll see where it takes us."
ON PLAYOFF RACE:
"The guys haven't given up or anything like that. The guys are ready to go to battle. ... We're all trying to leave it all out there and do it for each other."
"This team was not desperate enough tonight"
DARRYL SUTTER'S THOUGHTS:
"100% turnovers. First minute into the game, our second shift, we joined the rush and throw the puck - as a defenceman, throw it blind and you can't do that. They go down on a 2-on-1. Next one's a turnover breakaway. ... All four of their goals, we had primary assists. Strictly a turnover game. "Bottom line is, this team was not desperate enough tonight and that reflected in some of their performances."