NHL STANLEY CUP FINALS: DEVILS v AVALANCHE

June 9, 2001

Larry Robinson

COACH ROBINSON: Probably there will be one at least. O'Donnell is going to go in instead of Sutton.

COACH ROBINSON: You can get a pretty good idea usually in the morning skates but the way the guys act in the morning at our meetings or while they are getting dressed. So you get a pretty good feeling for it.

COACH ROBINSON: Pretty good. Very good.

COACH ROBINSON: As I mentioned to some of the guys I said it's great to be nervous, and the comment that was made to me said nervous, we were nervous the last game. Got nothing to be nervous about for this one, which is a great sign.

COACH ROBINSON: Well, yes and no. Certainly if somebody is not playing well you can't kind of wait it out. But at the same time you don't want to shorten your bench too early, especially in this altitude, you can burn guys out in first part of the game as well. So I think you have to gauge it as to how the game is going, if it's a high-tempo game, then I think you need all of your personnel. If it's a slower-paced game you can maybe double shift guys or come back every second or third shift with the same people. I think tonight you definitely coach a little bit differently than would you in any other game.

COACH ROBINSON: Well, just his work ethic and his dedication. I think you have different kinds of captains. You have got the vocal captains, the guys -- the rah-rah type of fellows that stand up and kind of take charge. I think Scotty is more of a quiet leader. He is your hardest worker in practice. He is your hardest worker in games. One of the most dedicated players that I have seen as far as looking after himself and making sure that he is ready for the games, both physically and mentally. I think that's what guys look upon mostly and his uncanny way of sometimes just finding a way with a big hit or a big play to give the guys a lift.

COACH ROBINSON: Sounds good to us. I like urinating on parades.

COACH ROBINSON: That's why I said urinate and not the other one.

COACH ROBINSON: Well, it's nerve-wracking as JD once said. He said he hopes to go two or three overtimes tonight and really make it wonderful for everybody. I told him why doesn't he just take a knife and stab me now. (LAUGHTER) For a player, I mean, you really look forward and you love these games. I think you do the same as a coach, but you ask anybody that has to stand and watch, watching is probably the most difficult thing that you will ever do.

COACH ROBINSON: No, I don't think so. But I think the Arnott that we saw the other day is not the same one that we are seeing today. He is very focused today and I think he is a guy that looks like he is ready for a challenge.

COACH ROBINSON: No because they never said anything to me. (Laughs). I never knew what Jacques was thinking, you know, I know he is as nervous as I get and I don't know how about Scotty. I don't know how he has been able to coach this long. But really I haven't really taken -- I have taken little bits and learned through listening and watching from them. But I don't really pattern myself through any of them. I try to coach through my own experiences and what I have learned as a player and as an assistant and put those things out there and try to give those pieces of advice to the players.

COACH ROBINSON: For me it is always open-ended. I did it as a player and I don't plan to change it as a coach. I think when the if you know is gone and/or you don't feel that you are contributing the way that you can, then I think it is time to move on.

COACH ROBINSON: (Laughs) I don't know what I am going to say yet to be honest with you. I just try to get a feeling for how the dressing room is and then go from there. I think if they look nervous and uptight then certainly want to do something to loosen them up a little bit.

COACH ROBINSON: I just said you know it's normal to be nervous and that's when I got the comment from them, nervous, they said they were nervous in the sixth game. I just mentioned about the parade and didn't want to miss it if it was going to be Monday.

COACH ROBINSON: I seem nervous? I can't hide it. I am trying to but I can't. It's a big game.