SAY WHAT: 'WE HAVE A LOT MORE TO PROVE'

SEAN MONAHAN ON GAME 2:

"We know what we have to do to win. Everybody's got to step up here and we have a lot more to prove. Our start's important tonight like always, but we've got a lot more to show throughout the game."

ON HIS LINE:

"I don't think our role has changed, I just think we're playing better defensively. When you do that, you get put out in different situations. We're doing well defensively and we have a lot more to show offensively. We've got to stick to our game here and those chances will come."

ON EXPECTED PUSHBACK:

"Tonight, obviously, we know it's coming. They're going to come out pushing and we have to have a response right away. We want to be the guys riding the momentum and that starts at the drop of the puck."

ON SPECIAL TEAMS:

"Special teams are huge at this time of year. I don't kill but our kill's been doing a great job. ... Our powerplay when we go out there, we've got that confidence that we're trying to score and create some momentum for the team. Both units are producing and that goes a long way."

MARK GIORDANO ON DEFENCE:

"We've always had a great group of guys here. Over the years we've learned with our past playoffs, there's a certain type of way that you have to play to have success. Right when the pause ended to the start of camp in Calgary, you could see the commitment in our group and the attention to detail in the defensive zone. Mony's line, Backs' line, all our lines have done a great job. In the Winnipeg series, getting some leads, and I know it will look like the other team is pushing, but we've really learned to pack it in defensively and that's been a big change in my mind."

ON HIS LATE PENALTY IN GAME 1:

"Obviously, the puck over the glass, you're just trying to get it out of your zone with 50 seconds left. It's a horrible feeling doing that, putting the team short, but I had a lot of confidence in the guys. I still said a prayer or two in the box that they'd kill that off. Guys stepped up and it was a huge kill.

COACH GEOFF WARD ON CONSISTENT LINEUP:

"It certainly is nice. We've been injury free - touch wood on that - and at this time of year, the attrition can get fairly high. But for us, it's been good. And guys have been playing well, so we haven't had to tinker with it. But one thing I will say is that the guys that aren't in our lineup, are READY to be in our lineup. Guys know when they go to practice and games they need to be on top of it because we have guys that are ready to play, are dying to play, and are showing it with the way they've practiced."

ON WHAT POST-SEASON MEANS TO TEAM:

"I'm sure it means a lot. You don't get these opportunities often. As a young player in this league and you have early success, sometimes you assume it's going to happen again and again. The reality is that it doesn't. Our guys have been talking about that an awful lot, right from the beginning of training camp. They have the opportunity now to immerse themselves in the playoffs and really appreciate what that brings and what the experience is totally like. Everybody in our group right now is really learning from it, but really enjoying it and holding it dear. They appreciate that they're here, they certainly don't take it for granted. They understand that at this time of year, this is where some legacies for players are made and they want to have statements on that. There are a lot of things that I'm sure Gio is looking forward to, but he's not the only one in our room - everyone is. That's the nice thing about playoffs and why it's so special to a lot of people."

MIKAEL BACKLUND ON HIS LINE:

"I think we talked about before, I think the whole team has done a great job no matter who we're playing against. Our commitment to defence is the best I've seen in years. Everyone's done a great job. I'm really enjoying playing with Mang and Chucky. Ever since we've been put together last year, we've had some success. ... We're grinding in the offensive zone and making it hard on whoever we play against."

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