Dylan Cozens, David Perron, Shane Pinto, Travis Green Pregame Media vs VGK

Dylan Cozens, David Perron, Shane Pinto, Travis Green Pregame Media vs VGK

just on the defensive responsibilities overall of the center position and what have you seen maybe in that regard from your game but also the team’s game improve as we spent some time on the road here. Yeah, I think uh through the middle a lot of guys take a lot of pride in defensive in their defensive play and um you know we work hard at it. We watch lots of video on it. So obviously it’s a pretty important spot and uh yeah you know everyone just wants to get everyone’s not focused on offense, everyone wants to be really good at the defensive side of the game too. And on the center depth side of things overall, what is the makeup of having guys like Timmy, guys like Shane, Lars on your wing as well, but he can play center, what does that do for you individually to have that depth to be relied upon, especially on the road with the matchups? Yeah, I think um you know, we’re we’re strong everywhere, but I also think yeah, like Pinzy and Timmy and and Larsie, we got a really good center core and um you know, I think they they trust guys to go out at all times and um you know, obviously yeah, you know, they’re very trusted upon. So I mean those guys are all great players. and tonight against a good Vegas team on the road. Fourth straight game on the road here. What’s the key for the group overall going into this one? Yeah, we got to bounce back. Um you know, obviously it’s a close game last game, but uh we didn’t we didn’t get the win, we didn’t get a point. So um we know we need to come out. They’re obviously a really good team. Uh we got to come out with a good start and um you know, get after him right away. What’s the challenge against a good Vegas team like that? As you highlight, a good team that plays a hard game. What are you looking to do from your individual standpoint going into tonight’s game? Yeah, you know, I think just be heavy on pucks. They got a lot of big big heavy guys, a lot of guys that are very skilled and make a lot of plays. So, um, you know, it’s going to be a man’s game out there tonight. Uh, just being strong on pucks, heavy in corners, heavy battles. So, first off, uh, just talking about the center depth and, you know, a lot of different guys who can play that spot. You know, Timmy, obviously you, Deco, as well, Dylan, what’s the what’s the what’s it like for you guys to have that kind of center depth, especially on the road with the matchups and, uh, what’s the makeup overall of it? Yeah, I think uh, yeah, it’s huge obviously for us, especially on the road. Um, obviously we can’t get the match ups we want, but I think even, you know, obviously Hie came in and stepped up big for us. I know Large is our usually our four center, but we need him to step up too on the second line, but it’s it’s it’s a hard league to win in and you got to have center depth and um we’re just lucky obviously cuz he’s a big physical guy and he obviously can score goals and then Timmy’s obviously a number one unbelievable center and um yeah, I just try to chip in defensively and a little bit offensively. So yeah, it’s good depth and that’s I mean if you want to win this league that’s how that’s a big part of it and yeah, it’s obviously uh one of our strengths for sure. So you mentioned kind of the defensive side of the puck and kind of how important is it for your line but also the overall makeup of the group to to help the D on the defensive side especially on the road. Yeah. Yeah. I mean obviously I think defending obviously in the D zone is not easy for those uh for our demon and whenever we could support them it’s obviously super important. um you know there’s a lot of good players on these opposing teams and you know that’s that’s part of the game. You got to support them and um you know they only could do so much. So it’s a it’s an onus on us to help them out and um yeah I think uh that’s a you know a strength of our game is playing in the Dzone and we got to continue that if you want to keep on uh playing some good games. Spoke to Ammo yesterday as well about the consistency of your line and just trying to maintain that consistency in all areas of the ice. What’s the approach for you guys to just try and maintain that as the games go along? Yeah, I just think talking it out, I think every game kind of gives you a different look. I think every team’s different, so sometimes you got to change kind of your style throughout each game and I think we just do a good job of communicating to each other throughout the game to kind of figure it out. And you know, they’re two obviously really smart players. So just talking to them and kind of yeah, like I said, communicating and trying to figure out how to beat the opposing team. What do those conversations maybe look like in game, pregame? like how how many how much communication are you on with those guys, but also the coaching staff and what they’re hoping to get out of your line overall? Yeah, I think for for all lines, you know, we they have a game plan for us, the coaches, kind of how to beat the opposing team, and we try to execute that obviously. Um, but yeah, as the game goes on, they give you different looks, and I think me and OG do a good job of kind of giving each other good ideas, and yeah, I just think we’re all kind of receptive to it and we kind of just work off each other and that’s why I think we’ve been pretty successful tonight against Vegas. It’s a good team, tough rudding to play in. What’s the key for the group going into this one? Yeah, good start. I think, you know, you don’t want to get on your heels too early. I think you want to kind of set the tone early and try to have a good start and yeah, continue to play our game and be physical. Um, you know, have a good first road period and then kind of go from there and chip away at it. Playing with Timmy just over this recent little stretch, how have you seen his defensive game grow on that line with you and Dream? Yeah, I think everything. I think uh him playing in the PK2 it raises your awareness level on all aspect and uh it’s been pretty fun uh to see him go and you know trying to create a little space and go into the net and he’s just I I always tell him it’s it’s your puck every single night you you carry it you you do your thing and uh it’s been special same goal in the offensive zone specifically for your line as well on the forch check how much do you maybe take pride as a unit to be able to generate through that for check winning no that’s that’s the point like try to get in there and then look for one of those guys and they create so much space for each other and give and go. So, it’s uh it’s fun to see them go. And now going into this trip, the back half of this trip here, Vegas, two and one so far. What’s the approach going into tonight’s game? Yeah, it was great to start the trip the way we did with two wins and now we, you know, all of a sudden we we lost one. We we felt like we played a decent game and uh we want to get back into the the win column and um you know, keep setting up the road trip to to make it a really good one. Vegas. First off, coach, any lineup updates to provide out of tonight’s game? Same lineup. Lenus is in that and going into tonight’s game, another good Western Conference team here. What’s the key for the group? Well, we’re playing a good team first and foremost. It’s no secret that Vegas uh has been one of those teams that whenever you play them, you know, you have to be on top of your game. Uh and we’re going to have to be tonight. They’re uh they play well in this building. Uh it’s a loud building and uh we’re going have to be ready to go right from the drop of the puck. How important has the center depth been amongst the team over this little stretch on the road here? Tim Stussel specifically, what have you liked from his game overall, specifically on the defensive side of the puck? Yeah, I think our center position is obviously a a strength of ours. Um, not just with Tim, but with Dylan and Pence Ellers. Uh, Alli’s played well. Uh, obviously with Ritz out, he can also play center. So, and Timmy’s game’s just continuing to grow. Um, you know, it’s not just about points with him. He’s got the puck a lot, makes a lot of plays, but he also plays on both sides of the puck. What does that allow you to do from a matchup perspective quickly on having those those four or five guys to be able to play that? Yeah, it’s when you’re on the road, uh, you don’t get last change. And there’s a lot of teams, one we’re playing tonight, that’s, you know, they got four good lines. Uh, those top two lines are very strong offensive lines and their bottom two are, you know, they play sound hockey and hard hockey. So, uh, you’re not going to get your matchups. And when you’ve got some center depth, it helps. Your captain could be back, uh, with you, uh, on Friday. Uh, I know one player doesn’t make a team, but how did you manage to have such a good record without without him? Yeah, you know, I think we as a group we have the mentality of just next man up. Uh, you know, as much as we miss Brady, um, you know, as someone else has to step up, the depth of our group has obviously shown and played well and, uh, that’s a big part of today’s NHL. I think he stayed around even if he wasn’t playing uh, on that road trip particularly. How important was for the team to have him around? Uh yeah, well he’s the captain of our team for starters. So just having him around his energy is he’s a smart guy, too. He understands the game and him being able to send subtle messages to our group is important.

Hear from forward Dylan Cozens, David Perron, Shane Pinto, and Head Coach Travis Green ahead of the Senators game against the Vegas Golden Knights.

0:00 Dylan Cozens
1:27 Shane Pinto
4:19 David Perron
5:45 Travis Green