Avalanche Morning Skate Quotes: Game 1 at Predators

The Colorado Avalanche had a full, morning skate on Thursday at Bridgestone Arena prior to Game 1 of the team's first-round matchup against the Nashville Predators in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Here is what Avs had to say before the opening contest of the best-of-seven series.

On pressure to perform in the playoffs
"Not really. We're the 16-seed. I think the pressure is on Nashville. That is no secret to the favorites. Whoever is the favorite always has more pressure. There are tons of great players on this team, I don't feel a ton. I feel a lot of responsibility, but I don't feel a ton of pressure to produce. I'm just going to play my game. I trust it, and hopefully it is enough."

Defenseman Tyson Barrie

On playing Game 1 tonight:
"I think there a lot of excitement obviously, but I think that last game we played at home might have helped us for this. There was so many nerves and excitement for that game that going into this we feel a little more comfortable maybe. Obviously, it's just morning skate, but you can tell the boys are excited."
On having several days to prepare for Nashville:
"I think it is great. I don't think there are any secrets as far as what they try and do and how they play. We went over a bunch of that. They obviously have a good team over there so we're prepared, and we have a good mindset going into this so there are going to be no surprises."
On the season series vs. the Predators:
"They've had success against us, but I think especially the last one we played against them, we really outplayed them. They were opportunistic. They kind of got the lead and sat back with it a bit in the third. We'll just kind of emulate what we did in that game. If you play the right way, a lot of times you get rewarded, so that is kind of what we're counting on.
On the Nashville fans:
"We know from watching it last year, this building gets rocking, so it will be a good test for us, but I think we can feed off that too. We have a lot of guys that haven't been in the playoffs and a lot of guys who haven't been there for a long time, so we'll be just as excited."

Center Alex Kerfoot

On getting ready for playoff hockey tonight:
"This is obviously what you play for. Growing up as a kid, you watch playoff hockey, you dream of one day playing it and it's going to be a lot of fun. The season is so long, but once the playoffs come along everyone gets rejuvenated and there is a little extra hop in your step. It's going to be fun tonight."
On if today felt different:
"It has felt a little bit different. Obviously, it's exciting. We were watching some of the games last night and obviously playoff hockey is a different animal. I don't know what to expect. I've never played in it before. I think some of the guys that have had some experience have been able to share some of it with us, and it's going to be a lot of fun."
On the Nashville crowd:
"I think we can kind of channel some of that energy. Obviously, you love to play in environments like that, big stages. When the fans are into it, it makes it that much more fun. I think you can't get too high or too low type thing. We can kind of use that energy and feed off of it. There is going to be no shortage of energy here tonight."
On needing secondary scoring:
"[The top line has] obviously carried us for the bulk of this year, and they are the reason we're in the playoffs right now. We know that in the playoffs, it can be hard. If you're keying on one line, it's easy to shut down one line in a seven-game series like that. There are going to be nights where they're not on their game, and we need to find ways to contribute. I feel like we've got the pieces in place where we can provide some secondary scoring, but it is up to us to show them that we can do that."

Center Colin Wilson

On his leadership with his playoff experience:
"We've talked about it in meetings and things like that, but I think today I could be a little more vocal in the dressing room. Usually I'm a bit quiet in the dressing room, and I think I'm definitely going to use my experience to talk to everybody."
On playing a playoff-type game in the regular-season finale:
"It was great. You got to play in a Game 7 in the regular season. It was exciting for us, and I loved the way that everybody picked up their game and played at that playoff level. It definitely made me excited for our chances in the playoffs with the way that everybody played."
On returning to playoff hockey:
"It kind of all started to come back to me this morning. Being out there, realizing the situation, the excitement around the game. I want to do what is best for the team. Usually when I play like that, I typically have success. This is an exciting time of year."
On the Nashville fans:
"I've talked to guys, (Jonathan) Bernier and (Matt) Nieto, they played against us (when he was in Nashville) during playoff series. Even though they weren't being cheered for, they were using that energy. It's an exciting building to play in, whether the fans are cheering for you or they're not, so get lost in the experience."

Head Coach Jared Bednar

On replacing Mark Alt in the lineup with David Warsofsky:
"I liked the way he skates and his puck-moving ability. I think he adds an elusiveness back there that can help us get in and out of our zone."
On Samuel Girard's responsibilities increasing with Erik Johnson's recent injury:
"I would say he's taking on a little bit of a bigger role defensively. Erik's absence just gives him a few more minutes every night. I think we're leaning on him heavier defensively. He has a big role on our team, regardless if E.J. is in the lineup or not. He's starting to see a few more minutes, he's starting to play better. He's elevating his game at the right time of year for us."
On the team being focused for the game:
"I think they were good. They seem loose and relaxed and execution was good this morning, pace was good this morning. I liked what I saw out there this morning. Tonight, it's going to be about raising our intensity to the level that we need to. Same as what we did against St. Louis. That is the key. The start here tonight and the intensity that Nashville plays with and the league requires you to play with at this time of year is going to be key. I think we're relaxed. I think we're confident. We just have to get real competitive as soon as the puck drops tonight."
On the fan noise at Bridgestone Arena:
"I think when you're a player and competitor, you want to play in an energized building that is loud. As the road team you got to feed off of it, and as the home team you got to feed off of it. I think that is why it is so fun to play, when the fans are into it and the everyone in the building is energized and you can feel the intensity in the building. For me going on the road, that's a plus. It's a plus to play hockey in this league at this time of year. It's a lot of fun, and it should be fun. I want our guys to enjoy it."
On using his championship experience at the minor-league level:
"Always. I think you draw on all your experiences as a coach. How you handle players, similarities between guys. How they react. Everybody reacts to different situations. Same thing with your team. You try and get to know your team. You try and figure out the best way to approach them on any given day. For me, it's more about what we learned about our group this year, but you certainly look back on similarities with teams you've had in the past and players in these situations before too. Whether it is at this level or not, I think everybody has to draw back on those experiences and learn from it."