NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: PENGUINS v DEVILS

May 20, 2001

Ivan Hlinka

Craig Patrick

COACH HLINKA: You know, I think no one can say we didn't work. You know, but I think last two games, they were too good for us, and nothing was -- nothing was working for us. We got some -- some possibilities, some chances, but it was not too much, and it was the games like that.

COACH HLINKA: You know, first thing is you have to -- you have to -- you have to move very well. You have to move the puck. You have to move the puck from the one side to the other side because they are over on the one side and then you have to move the puck to the other side. That was working not for us last night.

COACH HLINKA: I think move the puck, to move the puck on the right time and to the right guy, that's the most important thing in the hockey, you know, and that's what we have to do. We have to do more.

COACH HLINKA: You know, important thing is to score the first goal against those guys. But they score first two goals and after that, we start to try something, like to put them on pressure. And you play in own building, but nothing was working for us, and then usually you make some mistake -- mistakes on the blue line and then they got such a great -- good skaters there, after that, they got a couple of two-on-ones, three-on-twos, and we need to find a way to do on the road, just be more patient, don't make the mistakes and wait and wait and wait.

CRAIG PATRICK: I don't know the answer to that. I don't know what he said. Did you ask him that question?

CRAIG PATRICK: I don't know the answer to it, either.

CRAIG PATRICK: Well, we are struggling offensively. The whole team is. They have played a dominant game so far, New Jersey has, and we have got to find a way to get our level up to their level, and like Ivan says, we've got to get the first goal.

CRAIG PATRICK: In terms of changing lines? No, we can't bring anybody up unless we have an emergency situation.

COACH HLINKA: We have to do probably something with the Arnott line, but I don't have the answer right now. I don't know the situation with the line and there are a couple other guys that we have to make some decision about our lineups tomorrow after the practice.

COACH HLINKA: I don't got the answer right now for that.

COACH HLINKA: For sure, we have to play the more simple game in offensive zone. Sometimes we are looking for a great play and the great play is not there then you have to start the play more simple, just put the puck in front of the net and go there and work hard over there.

CRAIG PATRICK: He actually looks in better shape now than when he first came back. I think he's skating better than he has all year. Again, New Jersey has made us look pretty -- normal. We are not playing at -- they are not allowing us to play at the level that we've been able to play at up until this series. So we've got to find a way to find that level that we can compete with them at the same level that they are playing at.

CRAIG PATRICK: I can believe that's true. I know how I feel, so I'm sure it is pretty similar.