-From the NHLPA
When it comes to the playoffs and the pressure involved, nothing is new to Chris Simon. As a member of the Colorado Avalanche in 1995-96, the rugged winger was able to hoist the Stanley Cup proudly above his head. Now in his second season with the Washington Capitals, the six-year NHL veteran is thirsty for another taste from Lord Stanley's Mug.
Heading into Game Three of the Eastern Conference Final series against the Buffalo Sabres, the Caps have certainly benefited from Simon's experience with Colorado. Playing on a hard-checking line with veterans Dale Hunter and Craig Berube, Simon, along with his linemates, have created havoc whenever on the ice during this year's post-season and there was no difference in Thursday's game. Simon and his mates played a key role in Washington's 4-3 overtime victory over Buffalo to give their squad a 2-1 series lead over the Sabres.
Immediately after the game, Simon talked about Peter Bondra's overtime winner and his team's play in Thursday's contest. The Wawa, Ontario native also spoke about the play of Caps netminder Olaf Kolzig and what he felt would be the key for his team to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. He also touched on the team's "magical number," a number posted in the team's dressing room that changes with each of their victories until it reaches zero and a Stanley Cup championship.
Obviously it was a big win for your club tonight with an overtime victory over the Sabres in their own building. What's going through your mind right now? Can you describe how big this win was?
"Well, I think to win a game in overtime at this time of year it's a great feeling. I think we worked hard and when you play that way I think you deserve to win. We deserved to win the way that we played. We didn't stop, we kept going. I like our chances. But I think that we've got to respect this team. They've got a lot speed, they've got one of the greatest goaltenders and we've got to keep playing hard like that for 60 minutes."
Your club has a number on the wall in your dressing room that lists the number of games left for you to win before you capture the Stanley Cup. With tonight's win, that number is down to six. Who got to rip off the sheet tonight to show that the number has been reduced?
"Peter Bondra. I think his line played awesome tonight. They were the difference in the game. Olie (Olaf Kolzig) made the big saves when we needed them but Peter, Zed (Richard Zednik) and (Andrei) Nikolishin played awesome. They were the difference. They took it to another level tonight. I think every game you need a guy like that. You got Todd Krygier who came in last game and scored a big winner for us. It's a team effort and that's the great thing about this sport. It takes every guy who's in the lineup."
How much of a motivational factor is it for you and your teammates to see that number on the wall decrease with each win?
"I think it's just a thing to keep us focused. We've got six more wins to win the Stanley Cup, but every one of them gets harder. Every game is harder, each series gets harder as they go. Six, we don't want to end at six, we want to keep going. I think we've got a good chance here but we've got to remember how we got here and that we worked hard and that's what we've got to keep doing."
Winning two games in a row in overtime against the Sabres has to give your club a lot of confidence. Did Monday's overtime win help your team prepare for tonight's game?
"Well, we played well in Game Two and I think that carried over into tonight's game. We worked hard and that's what we did tonight again and that was the difference. We played the whole game. We didn't have any lapses. I think if we keep playing that way, we're a good hockey team."
Olaf Kolzig had another strong game tonight against Buffalo. What has he meant to your team throughout the post-season?
"Olie's been the key through the playoffs. I think for teams to be successful you have to have great goaltending. Good goaltending doesn't cut it through the playoffs. You've got to have great goaltending and Olie's been great. He's made the big saves when he's had to. He's just really calm back there. He really settles the boys down when he makes those good saves. He makes them look so easy but we know that they're great saves."
The crowd in Buffalo was really pumped and loud for tonight's game. What effect do you think they had on the game? What's it like playing in such a loud building on the road?
"Well, I love that when I go on the road and the fans are into it. They're there to watch the hockey game. Obviously they're cheering for the Buffalo Sabres but we try to use it as a motivation for ourselves. I think the guys love to hear the crowd cheering like that and it gets you into the game also."
What do you think the key is going to be for your club in the rest of this series?
"Well, playing a full 60 minutes or whatever it takes if the game goes into overtime. We can't cause turnovers at the other blue line. This team (Buffalo) plays really well when we make mistakes like that. I think if we keep getting the puck out, getting the puck in, keep playing physical and disciplined, that can take you a long ways."