NHL STANLEY CUP FINALS: MIGHTY DUCKS v DEVILS

May 27, 2003

Mike Babcock

MIKE BABCOCK: That's a real good question, and teams have been trying to figure it out for a long time. The big thing about him is he's been able to get it done at this time of year. Obviously, his mental toughness and battle level are really, really good, but for us, we've just got to get the puck and the people to the net as much as we can. What I've seen throughout the playoffs is they're not always very pretty, but the more you get the pucks and people to the net, the better opportunity you have.

MIKE BABCOCK: Relative to ten days of practice? Sure. They're a little more excited now. It got a little old there. Not even in training camp do you go as long as we did without a game. Just being in this environment and knowing you have accomplished three-quarters of what you set out to do, that's a real positive thing. In saying that, everyone knows what the measure is here.

MIKE BABCOCK: He was probably unsure if Scott would be ready so he wanted to make sure. No, I don't know why. The thing about it is every guy in our room, without any question, has a dream of winning, but the reality, and the only thing that matters right now, is how we get prepared for this game and play tonight. As much as the media is involved in this process, the game is going to be won and lost on the ice.

MIKE BABCOCK: I know who Madden is, but who is my top line?

MIKE BABCOCK: You know, I guess the thing is, we have a lot of theories, and we've gone through them because we had a fair bit of time to work this stuff out. We're going to see what they want, and I wouldn't be surprised to see tonight what we want to be exactly what they want. It makes it pretty easy for match-ups. That wouldn't shock me at all. Obviously, Madden has done a real good job. He's a real good player. He plays hard. I think their whole team plays hard. To me, they all present a big-time test for us. It's something you want. You want to be tested and stretched.

MIKE BABCOCK: Well, lots, but what I did is I said to them when I talked to you that I wouldn't share any names, but I have been accused of asking way too many questions, so I call lots of people.

MIKE BABCOCK: Obviously, this is something we've thought about for a long period of time. Now, having the opportunity to experience it is what it's all about. The big thing for us is we have to control our emotions and make sure we're the best we can possibly be. I'm sure tonight there is going to be some butterflies, but you might as well get out there and get involved in the game. Once the game starts, that's what we're here for. All this stuff is enjoyable and we want to enjoy the process, but we're here to play.

MIKE BABCOCK: What I saw in Game 7 against Ottawa, Joe went down, and the team didn't miss a beat. We're going to play as hard as we can against the people putting a jersey on and being out there on the ice.

MIKE BABCOCK: I believe you've got to play your best players a lot. I like matching lines, but in saying that, we're not going to stop doing what we do to get overconcerned about them, but we have matched all the way through in the playoffs. In some series, it was more difficult than others because the other coach didn't want the same match-up. I might be shocked here tonight, but I think it's going to be pretty easy.

MIKE BABCOCK: That might have been able to happen in the Detroit series early. After that, I don't think that's possible. We're a pretty good team. Jiggy is a real good goalie, and he's given us an opportunity. This guy here, when their team is in trouble, he's no slouch. That's what you ask the goaltender to do, weather the storm for you.

MIKE BABCOCK: He's given us way more than I expected. I knew he was big and I knew he could skate and make great passes, but I didn't know he was like the ghost. I didn't realize how good he was defensively. With the exception of his first game for us, he's been absolutely great defensively, played real hard, real competitive guy, wants to win and he is real proud.

MIKE BABCOCK: I don't think so. We're about looking after what we do. He's a real good skater and transition D-man. He's been real successful in the league. Obviously, he's going to be able to help him.

MIKE BABCOCK: What it does is it makes you think a little bit. We're going to see who plays with who, and that's going to determine who my match-up is.

MIKE BABCOCK: Well, a couple things to clarify. I didn't say we didn't have a top line. I think we have some top lines. The second thing is, I didn't say it was going to be easy, meaning the fact they're easy to play against. What I said is if they want the same match-up you want, it's pretty easy. I would be surprised if they don't want the same thing we want.

MIKE BABCOCK: You have a good team philosophy that everyone is important and everyone gets a chance to play. When I look at the minutes, they're different than the minutes our guys play. Their fourth group plays more than our fourth group. It will be interesting to see how they do it. With ice time, they have done it more by committee than we have. We haven't had the same kind of balance in minutes, but we do have the same kind of balance in scoring.