NHL STANLEY CUP FINALS: DEVILS v AVALANCHE

May 26, 2001

Larry Robinson

COACH ROBINSON: Well, our top line had some chances early, but it was our inability to control their top line; that was part of the difference. But most of all I think we got out-hustled and that worked tonight.

COACH ROBINSON: No, I think we were ready. I think we saw-- most of our guys saw the St. Louis series and you know that was a nasty series I thought, so we were well prepared for it and we know that especially their first guy comes he is very, very aggressive. He finishes his checks and then if you retaliate he falls down like he has been shot out of a cannon. So, we know all the little things that we do, but we just didn't react to it very well.

COACH ROBINSON: I don't think it was a lack of discipline I think it was overall frustration because of not playing well.

COACH ROBINSON: Yes. On a number of nights. But I think we can look back -- it just looked like we didn't have our legs tonight and we were a step behind all night, whether it was because you know, the trip here took more out of us than we like to admit or just a lack of effort or maybe a little bit of both.

COACH ROBINSON: Very much so. I think -- I don't think that other than in the third period I don't think Blakey or Ray or Foote got hit all night and certainly Joe never could have wore eggs in his pants, he didn't -- never got hit as well. Our guys were getting hit left and right. We didn't do a good job of obstructing them and holding them up from getting in and getting on the forecheck. A lot of our big guys didn't play very well tonight, didn't put out an effort and if your fourth line is your best line, there is something missing.

COACH ROBINSON: Yes.

COACH ROBINSON: Try to -- when you are on the powerplay the question is you have got to work as hard as the guy -- as the four guys that are working against you. Our passes weren't good, they were in our feet; we were always looking for the extra pass instead of taking the shot when it was there and we just got outhustled.

COACH ROBINSON: If that's the case then we should play awfully good game next one because we didn't play very well tonight.

COACH ROBINSON: Well that was one of the reasons why we tried to come here as late as possible. We did it earlier in the season where we come in the day of the game, but League rules being what they are we have to come in the day before at noon. But I think all different sports have tried different things as far as when you come into Denver where the so-called air is supposedly thinner. I think a lot of it is psychological to be honest with you. It is just a question of you can't get caught out there in long shifts, and so you have to change quicker, work harder but stay out shorter.

COACH ROBINSON: Well, it was a play right in front of our bench and the puck was coming to Randy and he saw Ray coming across at him, tried to -- he just moved out of the way and caught his hands on Ray and fractured his hand.

COACH ROBINSON: Well I went a little hard at them after the second period, didn't do much other than rile them up a little bit and they ended up at least showing a little spark of life albeit taking maybe some foolish penalties but at least they showed a little bit of emotion, a little bit of great and life to them. But it was a little bit, a lot late. So we certainly have to go over the game tonight and look for ways of playing better.

COACH ROBINSON: Well, you know he was coming down flying down on Scotty, Scotty got caught flat-footed made a nice move to free Scotty and then we didn't do a very good job of backchecking. We had a couple of guys where-- that were within reach that could have come back and maybe caught him but we did what we did most of the night, stood around and watched and he made a good move and Tanguay then drove Sykora right into Marty and you know, Joe made a great shot.