Players who are going to move on in their hockey careers show up in the big games. To be a great player you have to be a great player in the playoffs.

It was pretty disappointing to get away from something that worked so well for us. After the game we were pretty mad about it. But it's [the] playoffs and all we're thinking about is our next game.

That shows that when we've lost, we've lost by quite a few. It's good, though, because there are always a lot of one-goal games in the playoffs.

I started the season and two games in I am hurt. To go through an injury like that for six weeks was hard since most of it was a mental challenge more than physical to not let that pull you down.

The speed of the game stood out for me in terms of thinking quickly and making decisions. When guys get the puck on their tape it is off almost immediately and you have to learn to break to holes and understand that someone is going to be on top of you constantly.

I know my skating is my strength, but a small guy like me has to be much better than everyone else. There are some areas I need to work on ? my overall strength and defensive responsibilities ? if I want to make it to the NHL.