If you break them off into individual pieces, they are not that impressive, ... But they play well together. That's the thing that bodes well for us, is we're playing well together as a defense.

It's not so much what's expected of you, because you always shoot for the moon, and if you miss, you're among the stars. I expect nothing but the best from all of us. But you have to have a little luck, stay a little healthy. But if we get the opportunities, we should be able to cut some heads.

They have the pieces. The thing is to come together. Not one guy has to do it every night. They don't have what the Yankees have -- the instant machine of guys who know how to win. We have to have the same swagger as the Yankees -- 'We know how to win.' That's the kind of attitude you need when you come to the ballpark. That's what it's all about.

If we're together, if we have a full lineup, I think we have a pretty impressive team. If we play .500 hockey the rest of the way, we might not be in the playoffs.

A more interesting question is not 'Why did they break up?' but 'Would they have gotten back together?' ... There's always a chance we'd work together again, but I can't see us touring. I just see us making records.

It's not really [more difficult]. You try to put the pieces together to win a game. The guys who are playing have earned the right to be there. They're not just plugged in out there. We've got other players, but they're out there because they are contributing.