NHL STANLEY CUP FINALS: MIGHTY DUCKS v DEVILS

May 29, 2003

Pat Burns

COACH BURNS: He played pretty well. When he keeps it the way we want him to play, that's what we want him to do.

COACH BURNS: They're all responsible defensively. They're responsible with what they have to do. Basically, they play the game like we want them to play.

COACH BURNS: No.

COACH BURNS: That's a good question. I never thought of it. I imagine they would.

COACH BURNS: As a player, he does create a little problem for us because he has that speed and deceptive shot he can use. We all talked about that during the meeting. I don't think it's a greater problem than it was with Ottawa. He's an all around good hockey player.

COACH BURNS: He's moving the puck well. He's an extra penalty-killer for us. He's got a decent shot, and his offensive skills have never been that bad to hurt us. He's played well for us and he earned the right to be in that fifth and sixth position.

COACH BURNS: I do that on a daily basis over the course of nine months of the year. He's terribly important to us in our lineup. He's a silent leader. I usually like those guys better. On the ice, he leads by example, gets the big hits to lift your team up. He's a tough individual. Everybody here knows that. He's bounced back from some amazing things.

COACH BURNS: Like all players, he's matured. The difference of 15 years ago I remember from Washington and St. Louis he was always that player where the players knew he was on the ice. That's a big thing. When a player doesn't know you're on the ice, it's not a good sign. When Scottie's out there, they're aware.

COACH BURNS: I didn't know much about Pascal. I remember a little from St. Louis. When we did get him, it takes a while before you get that coach/player confidence, and he certainly gained that.

COACH BURNS: Well, any player that plays that amount of games, there is a definite significance to it. To be able to have the success that Scottie's had without the recognition, besides being a tough player, he knows the game very well and will make often the right play. He doesn't often get the recognition of those kinds of players, which he should.