NHL STANLEY CUP FINALS: STARS v DEVILS

May 31, 2000

Martin Brodeur

MARTIN BRODEUR: I think with the way that we started the game, the way that we played physically against these guys, maybe they appeared that way, but they were in the game for the first period. I thought they played well. When we got going, I think it got tougher for them. There is no doubt that I am sure they can go better. Hopefully we can -- these guys don't want to go back down 2-nothing in their building, that is for sure. We got to expect their best game in the Playoffs so far.

MARTIN BRODEUR: There is no doubt we are going to have to be ready right from the get-go tomorrow. They are going to come out really angry and really hungry to win that hockey game and really establish themselves. For us, we got to make sure that we are really disciplined in the early going of that game and make sure we stay physical and try to make them think about Game 1 and the same routine, try to bury our chance when we have them. I think that was the big difference last night. Every puck that we shot found the way in the back of the net, and you don't see that too often in a Playoffs and against a goalie like Belfour. We have to do a lot more probably tomorrow than we had to do in Game 1.

MARTIN BRODEUR: We are in the Stanley Cup Final. I think that will motivate you; that should be enough. It is fun, but it is only one game. Doesn't matter if you win it 2-1 or 7-3. Everything starts to zero tomorrow. And it should be a great battle again.

MARTIN BRODEUR: Jason midway through the season with the success with Sykora and Patrik, really took the leadership from this line. And in the lockerroom and more and more we were coming towards the Playoff, you could see that he was growing as a player, not just on the ice, but outside towards other players helping these guys out. You have got to understand it's been a few tough years for him with Detroit and all, but he was a guy that was really a big leader in Edmonton. He was -- I believe he was a captain at one point over there, and he was great leader. And he took maybe a few years to get accustomed of New Jersey a little bit. Now he feels really comfortable, and it shows in his attitude around the game.

MARTIN BRODEUR: For sure because you never know when it is going to happen to you. This is hockey and everything can happen. It is unfortunate it happened for him, but it is fun for us. But there is no doubt that -- I mean, these guys, you know, you don't become one of the best goalies in the NHL by just rolling over and say, well, you know, it was not my night. These guys will come back and play real well. That is why they are that good.

MARTIN BRODEUR: Well, I am sure they don't want to get into a breakaway contest or a lot of different kind of open shots like we had. But, once again, we created a lot of things. They didn't really play that bad as far as turning the puck over or making a bad situation. I think we just -- went to the net hard, we created whatever we got. It is not like they gave us much. We went and played hard and we played hard, we went to the net and the puck bounced on our stick and went in the net.

MARTIN BRODEUR: They love to score. (laughs) It is tough when you go out every time and they just love to score and they brag about it and they laugh about you when you can't stop them. It gets annoying at times. That is why they are successful. I am the same way, when I go out in practice I want to stop and yap at the guys if they don't score on me. They do the same thing but on the opposite side. That is what makes hockey players better because they want to do well at all times. They have a good chemistry and they hang together and they protect each other when guys are all over them for whatever reason, and it is fun to see them that young to be able to have that kind of chemistry.

MARTIN BRODEUR: Well, I mean, you got to take whatever you need to take to feel better. I know when I play sick it is important I get the right medication for me to be able to go out and don't think about what I have and just think about the hockey game.

MARTIN BRODEUR: Well, fortunately for us we started with the home-ice advantage. If we don't want tomorrow, we will lose it. It is that simple. We are really fortunate to have that one-game lead and I think we want to play better and we want to try to make them think a little bit. I think right now, I mean, like any series, the first game is important. I think it gives you a great lift when you win that first one, but it doesn't mean anything if you don't win the second.