We will find out Saturday night how close we are to Niagara Falls. This is a key game for us.

Shane never takes a night off. He's the type of player that will go to battle every time he's on the ice. He comes to every game ready to play, and has been an integral part of our team's success this season.

It's a credit to his character that he would be back the very next night ready to play. He showed up Saturday night and refused to sit out. This kid never takes a night off.

[On Thursday night, Close will be presented with the Human Spirit Award by the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation at a glittery dinner in Manhattan. A longtime friend of the] Superman ... a very little drop in the ocean compared to the things he's done.

It was good, not great. We'll just see if we can put 400 laps under us tomorrow night; that will be important. I think we have a good shot.

Being the last game of the night, the guys will be really anxious. Hopefully for us, everyone will come out and play hard and with a lot of energy, and we'll get settled in early.