Mike Grier Quotes (11 Quotes)

Sometimes you get the word out there and the game's called differently. I've seen it before where coaches have been in the media and games have been called differently the next night. It's not a bad idea on his part. It's all part of the gamesmanship that goes on in the stretch drive.

People, especially a team like that, they're making sure they're getting the puck out, and they've got guys finishing checks, and they're committed to their system defensively. Toronto did the same thing to us the other day in our building. They played a desperate, determined game, but we were able to kind of match it in a 3-1 win. We never matched it against Atlanta, and they pretty much had their way with us. Down the stretch you just have to be ready to play at all times.

I thought it went in. Toronto called and said, 'The whole thing didn't go over.' There's nothing I can do about it.

It was a tough night for us, but I think it's something that we needed. We've been a little bit loose defensively the last few games, so just seeing how hard they were working made us pick our game up.

He's starting to realize that's what it takes to play in this league day in and day out - you've got to be ready to play every night and work hard. I think the last month and half, two months, he's really started to turn the corner in that regard.

I think we're still getting used to each other a little bit, trying to figure it out a little. Thomas is very creative with the puck, so we're starting to learn how to read off him.

They've had a couple emotional games, and they're in the hunt. Sometimes you say things that aren't true. For the most part, we have a pretty honest team here, and the way the game's called now if you get tugged, guys aren't going down.

It's a little troubling. I think when you start scoring five or six goals a night, you get lulled into a false sense of belief. As a team, we let things slide. Maybe this stretch will help us get our heads screwed back on.

I'm sure there's a few of us in here who would like to get to the plus, but I don't think you can really put too much into it. There's probably some truth to it, but it's not something that I'm overly worried about. I'm pretty responsible, and I know Chris is pretty responsible defensively.

I thought it went in.

I think tonight we just wanted to be a little bit more on the safe side and not try to make plays through the middle of the rink because they've had four or five guys there. Most games are going to be won in your own end and special teams and I think we were pretty good in both areas. We just tried to keep them to the outside and not give them any odd-man rushes.