NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: DEVILS v SENATORS

May 21, 2003

Jacques Martin

COACH MARTIN: Yeah, I thought that we had a good game. I think we took the lead on one of our powerplays and we had some good chances and they tied it on their powerplay, but I thought that we played hard, and we were consistent with our play and used our entire bench. I thought we got great performance from our goalie and got some people that stepped it up.

COACH MARTIN: I think Chris, no doubt in my mind, has played the best hockey since he's joined our organization and I think it's just to show that sometimes it takes a while for players to reach a certain level, especially when you are looking at defensemen. I really think that he has been playing very consistent all through these Playoffs and has played very strong. I think tonight I think you've got to mention a guy like Marian Hossa. I think he was a factor out there. He made the play on the winning goal really. It was a great team effort but Chris, I think, has really stepped it up.

COACH MARTIN: I think sometimes it's really a team game and he has been one of our leaders this year. He's played extremely well. But really, the strength of our hockey club all season has been our depth, the ability of different people to step it up, and I think tonight that line really stepped it up for us.

COACH MARTIN: Well, yes and no from the standpoint of it depends how you go about it that one-on-one play. This is the strength of their hockey club. Jersey, they want you to play it because it's not really a one-on-one it's a one on three. They got people back -- he made a great play, but there was good execution there from the standpoint that Varada went to the net and won some battles, got a shot and Brodeur made the save. I think it was the second rebound when Phillips joined the rush and put it in.

COACH MARTIN: Well, there's never been a doubt in my mind where Patrick Lalime stands. I think we talked about that before the start of the series from the standpoint that individuals who have won the Cup always get the benefit of the doubt, that it really helps them establish themselves. But I think you are seeing, this year in the Playoffs, you know, a new -- not a new era, but a new phase of goaltenders that are really stepping it up. And Patrick is one of them.

COACH MARTIN: Well, I think it's always growing, it's always getting better. When you have a team you have a chemistry on a hockey club and the organization I think has tremendous faith in our people. I think that we showed that tonight and we know that we're going to have even a tougher battle on Friday. So that's what we got to get ready for.

COACH MARTIN: Well, I don't know if it has the edge at this time of the season, you know, we knew going into tonight's game we would have to be better than Game 5 and I thought we were. The bottom line is Game 7 we're going to have to be better.

COACH MARTIN: Well, you just -- you don't control those things. I think that what you like as a coach is how the game is going, how each player are executing and it was really exciting overtime. I think like the fans were really treated to some great hockey, some great opportunities and Patrick, both goaltenders were outstanding. Patrick really made some big saves to give us that chance to win it.