Dallas Stars Morning Skate Quotes: Ruff, Campbell, Eaves, Benn
By Josh Clark
The Dallas Stars are looking to get back on track tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. Interviews from today’s morning skate can be found below.
The Dallas Stars hosted their most recent morning skate on Friday in preparation for their game against the Vancouver Canucks later tonight.
After the skate, the media got the chance to catch up with a few of the players after their Thanksgiving break.
Interviews with Jamie Benn, Lindy Ruff, Jack Campbell, and Patrick Eaves can be found below:
Jamie Benn:
How they can are looking to respond after losing to Ottawa to start the break:
We have to focus on defense. We can’t be giving up six or seven goals a game. We’re not going to win like that, so we just need to refocus. We had a couple days to think it over and evaluate our play from last game.
How the loss stands among the strong start to the year:
It brings you back down to Earth, because we were going pretty good there. But to find out that any team can come in like that and work your butt, it was embarrassing for us especially on our home rink in front of our fans. We don’t want that to happen again.
If the complexion of the season changed now that the “fast start” is over:
I think Christmas is our next break, so we need to have a solid month and keep this thing going. Once again, we’re just trying to separate ourselves from the other teams in our division.
Lindy Ruff:
Biggest attribute of the Stars that helps them bounce back from losses:
I feel that we just get back to playing solid two-way hockey. We’ve been good at getting right back to the game we need to play and it led to success for us.
How Lehtonen’s injury affects Ruff’s goalie schedule:
We’ll take it day-by-day and I’ll see what the workload looks like. If need be, we’ll get Jack [Campbell] a game. But we’ll read it and see how it goes.
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What he remembers from their first meeting with the Canucks:
The first thing you notice is obviously the Sedin’s, and [Radim] Vrbata is a good goal scorer for them. If you give those guys enough time and space and our gap isn’t that good enough, they’re going to make good plays. We’ve got to find a way to make it uncomfortable for them to play. I think they’ve got some other guys up front that supply some good speed and some young guys that are really impressive.
There are no easy games and no easy lines to play against, but we know what their strengths are.
How he assesses John Klingberg‘s play so far:
He had a tough game last game, but he has been one of our best defenders. I don’t think he gets enough credit for that. His defending has been solid for a guy that we’re asking to supply offense at the same time. He’s been a real good defender. Like I said, he had a rough night the last night out but he’s been able to bounce back from rough nights.
Kari Lehtonen‘s status:
He went out on the ice today and he feels good. We’ll see what happens, but I think he’ll travel.
On if Jamie Oleksiak and Patrik Nemeth will play soon:
Obviously for [Patrik] Nemeth, getting all those AHL games on film should help him out. But I think now that the schedule is getting heavier, I won’t hesitate [to get them playing time]. I don’t know if I’ll throw two in on one night, but I’m trying to keep these guys going on a regular basis.
Jack Campbell:
How tough it was to go through injury:
It was tough. I worked so hard this summer and had a good camp. I was ready to roll out there but had a setback. But everyone has setbacks, so it’s just a matter of coming back.
If he’s mentally in a better place now:
I’m just excited to play hockey whether it’s in the American League or way up here. It’s exciting and I’m just trying to work hard, have fun, and be ready to play.
If he has tweaked his goaltending strategy:
Absolutely. I have Jeff [Reese] telling me what to tweak which has helped me a ton, but also watching Antti [Niemi] and Kari [Lehtonen] helps me out a ton as well. I don’t think changing is a good word, but tweaking fits. It’s just fixing little details that end up making all the difference.
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Patrick Eaves:
How he feels after coming back from the injury:
I feel really good. No issues at all so far.
How he has liked playing with Mattias Janmark:
We’ve been playing the last few games together and he’s really easy to play with because he’s intelligent and quick. He’s able to get into situations where we can create offense and he’s got good instincts so it’s fun to play with him.
What he expects out of playing the Canucks for his first time this season tonight:
They’re a really good team from top to bottom and they’re really mobile. So it’s going to be a fight for space I think is the biggest thing. We’ll have to go in mentally prepared for that.
Next: Stars Look To Get Back On The Horse vs. Canucks
The Dallas Stars take on the Vancouver Canucks tonight at the American Airlines Center and will look to get back to their winning ways. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.