3.1 BUF/SJS pregame -- Jay Woodcroft
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Assistant coach Woodcroft talks about the return of Dominic Moore, and how McLellan is involved despite his absence from tonight's game.
Transcript
It. Is. He's a good option for us to put -- into our forward -- -- tonight and look towards him play. We hear you. Both guys played with a lot of energy and urgency in their game Daniels a big body. Checking type guy that was able to Wear down another team's top line. And teaches -- more of a slasher. Get it behind that he hunt them down and create turnovers on the fortunate both both played the game for us. Against Philadelphia we're looking for more of the same tonight. There. It bullying made some progress today and I felt a lot better it's going to be game time decision today. Was that a conscious thing to get that Marleau Belsky winning going out there against other team's top line is that something you can see yourself return to. Well it. All three of those guys bring a lot to the table in its not just offense. How does a real material tight. Intelligent player that can play both fans patty obviously is a horse in in the middle that can skate. 200 feet and where other guys where other teams out with his speed and his size through the middle in and like you said with when -- he's a big body checking type guy that. You know when we're controlling the puck in the offensive zone it. It's -- and it's only you know they've been brought a lot to the table last game we'll see how we will use him going forward. It's too long answers. On the little things that its stars -- defensively. All that as always for us we take a lot of pride in her face up so we wanna start with the puck. We're faceoff oriented team so when we're. We have the -- much better than when we don't have the puck and then when we don't have the pockets. It's five guys committing to coming back and Ortiz on hard tracking the puck hard stopping when we get in the diesel talking when we're in diesel. And you know. After reviewing the tape of the game against Philadelphia -- you saw the commitment to shooting lanes. Definitely want us to -- and it would mean more minutes. How much -- -- and he -- We'll -- very involved he he's getting better each and every day. He's feeling better and oh man and I consult him. Every -- -- we're in touch with them he's coming into the to the building and -- -- big part of our game plan. Generally much more you can say about it but just the level of concern maybe for you personally or what you sense in the room. Forehand because obviously in his two games and guided is not a constant missing games ago wants to -- out -- is what is that level of concern line. Well like -- said he's getting better so that's them the primary concern. Not only Matt myself but the whole organization stick it on better he's getting better which is very positive. I think you saw that our team's response in the last game they knew that we're missing our leader. But our leadership group in terms of players really stepped up. Bottom line is more playoff hunt and every two points is important. And I think you saw that against Philadelphia and and we're definitely gonna bring the same attitude to. Me. Yeah drill I think we haven't played that great over the month of February -- on the long road trip. We talked about adversity. We had some injuries that kingdom. One of them have that your coach. Shirt served its it's a good. Point of reference for our team to rally around pressure. But I just yeah there's just so there's a look at our guys' eyes right now that that's that they know how important these two points are. And how they are how important on a nightly basis and regardless of who stands behind the bench. There they're committed to it to going again. It. But yeah Buffalo. I mean there are also in a playoff chase right here there. You know they have some dimensions and you can't talk about the Sabres unless you talk with a goal and delete. He threw blank -- us against a very good very hot team in Anaheim. They have some dimensions on the back -- guys like Myers and there are. And then up front there they're very -- they have a good power play. And they can make. Make you pay for mistakes so our team management are puck management control our control Bulls can be used. You know on through the rough patch on the road results you want when you start to anyone knows that canes coming up. But I think you see signs -- Throughout -- he -- periods of play where we were playing our game and playing towards our identity. And you know he -- points of their parts of that in the Minnesota game. Just definitely saw some in the -- game. But you know we came home after under tough circumstances and and had a great game for us and we're looking to build on that tonight.



















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