Montreal Canadiens @ Tampa Bay Lightning Game 7 Post-Game Media Availability

You just come up on the wrong and the short end of the stick at this time.I don't know.It doesn't matter what you say, really.The words probably mean something in a couple of days, but I think it's just a lot of blank stares from everybody wondering how that one got away from us.

John, you're also part of a pretty important game back in February where you got goalied, and it was a tough feeling, similar to the night in your mind where you launched everything you could at Cacanobas, but you didn't get an answer for it.

Yeah, that's it was as soon as that last buzzer went at the feeling I had I've seen this move before and it happened in Milan in February and all you can ask for your team whether there was an Olympic tournament or best of seven playoffs is get better as you go and I thought we got better as we went and I thought tonight we played our best game in the series.Yeah, like sometimes you win the game and not the score.I won game seven.There's no more victory in that.It's obviously never easy when the season ends.Like, it's a sudden stop.

Like, how stunned are you right now that, like, that's it?I don't know.Probably as stunned as you are.And I think if anybody was in that building tonight, there's, you know, there's obviously some disbelief in the room that, you know, we could play like that and not walk away with anything.So that's, I think is adding on to a little bit of the fact that, um, You know, come to work tomorrow.Is it the same purpose it was 24 hours earlier?

Yeah, so it's, I can't sit here and reflect on the year and everything that happens.You know, if I look back at this and how did you play your game seven?I think we couldn't have played it any better.And it still wasn't good enough.So at some point too, you have to tip your cap to, you know, Marty St. Louis, the Montreal Canadiens, Jake Dobish.They had a plan and stuck to it.

They got the lead, protected it.And when they broke down, we'll lose air for them.And that takes something, too, because it's not like they just won one game like this.They won three prior games to get to this game.So when you flare up the series and it comes down to one game or something like this can happen.And that's why sports is some pretty incredible live theater.

Just never know when it's going to happen.

John, your team has been through so much this season, all the injuries, how many players on and off the ice.How do you think that, how would you want this This is to be judged from the display that they showed tonight and throughout the series.

This was that team.They just went out there wearing their heart on a sleeve and gave everything they possibly could and we just came up short.But it says a lot about the team.and a lot of players were here.

John, you said many times that you create your own breaks, bounces, and how bad is it that both goals against were fluky goals tonight?

Well, that doesn't help.I'll tell you that.And that's when you, at the end of the game, you're just sitting there saying, you know, the hockey gods have been in my corner.Many, many times.And tonight they're in the other corner.And that's what happens.

And as I said, it's not the movies.

It's not something we retake and get the scene right.It's live theater right there in front of you, and you never know what's going to happen.

That's why it's so unbelievable to be a part of, to be a part of something like this.But it damn well stings when you're on the wrong side of it.

First of all, I'll start with Nick.Obviously, you've been through a lot with this group.You guys finally make it to the second round as a team.How impressed are you with the way you guys were able to stay focused during this whole process, and especially the word from the guy alongside you?

Yeah, I mean, I thought we had a great start tonight.Coming out of the second period, it kind of put a lot of pressure on us.weren't able to execute and do the game plan very well.So regrouping in the third period was huge for us.And we didn't want to end our season playing like that again.So we knew we had to come out stronger and hold them forward for us when we weren't playing that great.

So definitely don't win that series without them.

Yeah, Nick also.It might be hard to answer with Yakov sitting right next to you, but just how have you seen him mature throughout the year that he would be able to handle these moments at this time of year the way he has?

Yeah, I mean, I think you kind of saw Osh here coming in and playing some huge games for us down the stretch.And I think he's grown a lot as a goalie.He's super confident in himself, which he loves to see.He puts the work in every single day, away from the rain, preparing himself.go into games in a proper mindset, which I checked out a lot of his routine last night, which is pretty cool.So he's a gamer.

He's been doing that since he got to our team.And we're going to need him to continue playing well as we go along here.

Yeah, Jack, just first of all, talk a little bit about the shaving cream showers you got from your fellow Ole's at the end of the game.And then on a more serious note, that 26 -minute span where your team didn't have a shot, you keep them in the game.And how far you've come, you know, you just beat Vasilevsky's team head to head when you just got the starting job a few months ago.

For both the shaving cream, We have a great group of goalies, so I love those guys.They're awesome, but I can't wait for the next practice.I will have something prepared.Many times in a season, the guys bail me out and help me out, and I try to do the same, and vice versa.You know, sometimes they don't play good, sometimes I don't play good, and they always got my back, I always got theirs, and that's our mentality.We have a really good group, good leaders, so just a really good locker room, so I would do anything.

This wasn't anything special, I was just trying to keep the guys in it, and I was just waiting for them to get going, and that's exactly what happened, and I feel like we've been through this a lot, and yeah, I'm excited for the second round.

Question for Nick, how big of a relief was the goal of Alex knowing that you were guys a little bit struggling in the second period and the first period?of the third as well?

Yeah, I mean, it's the biggest goal of the series.And I thought we kept building our game in the third period.And I think great hand -eye coordination by Newey.And we kind of finally got to get some of his own time and a big moment.And he's been great.big game player, so really happy for him.

And yeah, definitely gave our group a lot of confidence and momentum for the rest of the period.

Nick, obviously you were here when you guys lost in the final, but you've also been here throughout this whole process of rebuilding and difficult seasons and a lot of losing.And you were always kind of steadfast and like, I want to start winning, I want to start winning, I want to start winning.Now that you're here, I think quicker than any of us might have expected, maybe not you, but just how does that whole journey feel?now that you've beat this team in this building with this group?

Yeah, I mean, after the cup final, there's a lot of tough times, and a lot of guys left.And we started this rebuild, and slowly but surely, we got draft some really good players, and have an amazing coach.It's been great.It's definitely been probably faster than most people expected.But when you get a lot of great players together with a great system and great leadership, things can turn quickly.And we're one of the youngest team.

I don't know if we're the youngest team still.But we've got a lot of gamers.And we've got a lot of guys that want that moment and are able to raise their game to a different level.

Question for Nick.What can you say also about the characters?this team, this young team, when you're able to get a Game 7 win on the road and three times out of four you're winning on the road?

Yeah, I mean, it's a tough building to play in.They play really well at home.The crowd's always into it.It's a chaotic environment out there.And we've been a really good road team all season long.And we knew we just needed to come in here tonight and anything can happen in a Game 7.

I think all seven games could have went either way to either team.It was definitely a chess match the whole time out there, and two very good teams going at it in round one.You don't see that too often, but we're really happy to come out with the win in the series.

Question for Jakub.My colleague touched on it.How do you feel knowing that you beat Andrzej Wasilewski, who's obviously a future Hall of Famer, and I'm pretty sure as a goalie you looked up to him.look up to when you were younger?

I don't know.I still cannot really process everything that's happening.Just inside, I'm really happy, but I think it's going to kick in a little later.I've dreamed big, I guess.I don't know.I've always been a dreamer, always wanted these moments, and this is definitely one of the coolest games and situations I've ever been.

So, yeah, really, really happy.But on another note, We have a tough opponent in Buffalo, and we've got to reset and prepare for a good team.

For either of you or both of you, how was Marty able to help this team through the most challenging parts of this Game 7?

Yeah, I mean, I think he's one of the best coaches in the whole world, and I think, you know,way he can find ways to, it seems like he says the right thing at every single situation and knows how to get the best out of his guys.Obviously, no one is happy with that second period.And he comes in all fired up, getting us going for the third, really motivating the guys.He's our leader, and everyone will do anything for him.So he's a hell of a coach, and he's only been doing this for a short period of time.

So I can imagine he's going to continue to get better.He just loves what he does, and we love playing for him.

Thanks, guys.Thank you.Thank you.That's the first bite of pizza you've ever had.Thank you.Good evening.

Good evening, Martin.You arrived in 2022.You didn't know how long it was going to take, that there was a process.Today, you won the series.The Bell Centre in Montreal was full to watch that game.As a guy from Laplace, what do you think it does to the fans who also experienced that rebuilding with you?

I think they were patient with us.I think they understood our process.They supported and supported.I'm happy.for the players in the room, not just for the young ones, the veterans.You know, when you beat yourself up, it doesn't help the veterans.

But I think they saw, they supported what we were trying to do.They supported the young ones and everything.And I'm happy for this whole gang.And of course, for our fans too, who supported us a lot through all of this.It's a great day for the Canadiens.

Martin, you probably wouldn't want to go into the details of what you said between the 2 and the 3, but the players talked about it.What was the main message you wanted to get across to them?

I think we just played our worst period in the series.We didn't hurt ourselves too much because we just had one goal, the numerical advantage.I think we were still working defensively, but we weren't able to flip the momentum.It put a lot of pressure on him, he got beat up, and we were never able to flip the momentum.So when you win a period like that, it's physically tiring, but mentally it's a bit overwhelming, too, because I loved our first game.So when you're out of a period, you know it's after maybe the series, and you need to win that game, you know, we put things back on the table, and we put perspective, you know, of where we were.

We're equal, there's 20 minutes left.7th game.Forget the last period.We're going to go get them at the same time.And that's how we talked about how we were going to get them.And I liked our 3rd.

Hi Martin, I imagine there are still things to compute for you.But to finish that game, which was very tight.The series too.You find yourself in the palm of your hand with John Cooper.What goes through your head to realize that?Not only to go to the 2nd round, but to do it here in Tampa.

Well, you know...How long have you been cutting?10 years?Go ahead.Well, no, I... 13...

No, 2013.I had it changed at 14 because I had it for a year.So, 13 years.And you look at their stage, you know.And it's something that we try to do the same thing.What's the word?

Replicate.We try to replicate, reproduce that, you know.And...You know, it's an organization, it's a team that... it's like the standards.I used to watch a lot of Lightning when I was a Canadiens coach, for a reason.And it's not just because I played for Lightning, but it's how they...

And when I took the coach position, I wanted to have a team that is able to play in possession, that is able to defend themselves, that has good power play.And there are a lot of things that I absorbed from what the Lightning did.And I tried to bring that here to Montréal.And it's a big challenge to go and beat that team in the first round.Two teams that are probably at the same level, but they have more experience.And you saw it during the series, the experience they have.

But we stayed on track through all that, highs and lows, and we learned a lot.Even if we hadn't won, we would have learned a lot.So the result, for me, is a bonus for us, and we're going to continue.We're going to try to get that in the next round.

Here in the center.It's a series that required constant adjustments in the games, from game to game.One win each, your turn, etc.As a coach, how much have you evolved in this series, or how much has it made you discover things, or evolve as a coach?

It's opportunities, as you say, to evolve.I know I've tweaked things a lot.Adjustments between games, adjustments...I'm not just talking about lines and...Sometimes we adjust the structure, whether it's face -offs, how we get out, or what we do if we win, whatever.It's part of it.

You know that on the other side, they're doing the same thing.So you try to think about what's coming in the future, on everything that's going on.units, what they're going to do tomorrow, what they're going to see today.For me, it's a part of the game that I love.As a player, I loved that, trying to find the holes.And as a coach, I think it's something that I work hard on, and I like it.

So it's not really work.It's a passion, and it makes me evolve.

Marty early in this series, your captain was putting a lot of heat on himself for producing and all these things.And, you know, I think at a certain point, he flipped a switch and became a really impactful player.But tonight he gets on the board.You see in his celebration, it was a little bit more enthusiastic than normal.He blocks a shot at the end that kind of seals it.Just you talk about your evolution.

I mean, his evolution as a leader, as a player, as a guy who's leaned on a lot by your team.What did you see in this series from beginning to end?

Yeah, I mean, I feel like he just kept getting better as a series went on.I feel like players like Susie, I think he they just adapt and evolve.They learn from the previous game.They understand how the other team plays, you know, and they just find, I felt he was better and better at finding pockets.And, you know, defensively, I mean, I felt like he competed so hard and, you know, very courageous and stepping in front of big shots.You know, I think he led us through this series, you know, and I think everybody, you know, follows him.

You talked a lot throughout the year about being able to win any type of game.What does it take to win in the playoffs, to beat a team like the Lightning?What does it take?What is the type of game that wins?

Yeah, I mean, obviously like playing strong defensively.which I think we did.But if you look at the four wins we got, right, the first win to me was, you know, three power play goals, you know, good goaltending, three power play goals.You know, the second win is it was, you know, bottom six line, bouncing back, you know, and the big overtime goal, you know, the third win was was game five, right?Was it game five third one?Yeah, it was game five.

you know, it was 2 -2 in the third, and we caught him on the bad change.And, you know, Tex makes a big goal.And tonight, obviously, we, you know, we had nine shots, 10 shots, right?And so I felt like tonight, they deserved better.I felt like game six, we probably deserved better.And, you know, those kind of stole the game, you know, probably similar to the way Vazie stole the game, game six, in my mind.

So you need a little bit of everything, you know, and I think that's what we got this series.Like tonight, big goal by Susie, and we got to bounce with Newey, right?So it's not one thing.We got to find a way, and I feel like we did it differently.

Yeah, Marty, there's footage after the game of you running into the dressing room and pounding your chest in front of your players like that, and they're all screaming.Just, you know, some of them were just...The origins of that and your players are saying you have a special bond with them.I don't know if Torts has ever done that but we haven't seen any footage of it.The relationship you have with your players and what a special moment that was because one of the most special moments you had in your career was just down the hallway.the other dressing room.

Yeah, I mean, I feel like you can't take the player out of me a little bit, right?And I try to...I don't try to be in the locker room a lot.Like, to me, this is their space, it's their team, it's not my team.I'm trying to steer them.But every now and then, I've had moments with them, and I try to pick my spot.

And obviously, like, a night like tonight, you know, I wanted to be with them, and we had some fun.

It's an experience and he won.Mike Matheson is not a youngster.It's his first series that he won in his career.Could you elaborate a little bit on his contribution and what it means for him to get to where you are at a more advanced age?

Yeah, but since Mike arrived, I think he's played a big role in our team.His role may have changed a little bit gradually, but the role he has to play against the big players, the other side, how he defends himself, you need that.And there's no guy who scares me offensively when Mike is on the ice, because his skate, Mike, he defends himself so well.So you need that.I'm happy for him.It's a sign of how difficult it is in the National League.

32 teams, 16 teams are in the series.And now it's about trying to move forward and go with the other eight teams.It's not easy.It takes a lot of things, but it takes guys like Mike to go to a series.

Thank you, Martin.

OK, thank you.