NHL EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: MAPLE LEAFS v HURRICANES

May 18, 2002

Paul Maurice

COACH MAURICE: Well, overall, it's going to be a lot quicker than a lot of the things we did and we have to recognize that. Just recognize what we're seeing out there, forechecking, some basic stuff.

COACH MAURICE: Well, you watch it early, but I don't imagine the style of the game is going to change at that point because of that. I don't think you are going to see their team deviate a lot from what's helped them win their last three games with the guys that they have. They may make a lineup that won't necessarily reflect changes in their system or the style of their game.

COACH MAURICE: Mostly just feeling the net, if the guy is comfortable in there, getting the breaks. Archie made some real fine saves and he was overworked in the last few games but he's been solid for us. That's all done by feel.

COACH MAURICE: We've got some long numbers attached, since the last time it happened, when you attach that label, you get some pretty good numbers there.

COACH MAURICE: No. The big difference is probably for the other team's shooters. Neither one of them is going to break the team out with the puck, and we've actually kind of assimilated in how they handle, so it's not a change for our defense. When Tom Barrasso was here, there was a big difference and I think it took us a while to adjust to that but these guys are pretty similar.

COACH MAURICE: I think we played strong. Except for Game 3 of the New Jersey series, we came come out strong and quick, and we'll try to maintain that through the course of the game.

COACH MAURICE: We are not going to look as fast this series as we did in the Montreal series; that's just the way we stack up. We have to accept it's going to be a lot more of a grind along the boards than the last series.

COACH MAURICE: No. Regardless of anything, they have gotten themselves to a position where they are comfortable with the game they are playing, and regardless of who is in the lineup they are not going to change that. And with some of their top gun players back, that's not always a bad thing for the other team.

COACH MAURICE: Well, we lost home ice in the Montreal series, and I don't think it's a major concern. We've been a very good on home ice here, but we were a very, very good road team this season. There's not a concern that you can't win on the road, even this late in the playoffs.

COACH MAURICE: I think their success was based on a five-man game. They have gotten it done when they needed to all year. At the end of the day, the decisions that you make on the bench are right or wrong based on players performance, and they have been great performers.

COACH MAURICE: I probably have a higher opinion of our team than other people do. Certainly not surprised in any manner that they are here.