Morning Skate Quotables: May 6, 2019

The Colorado Avalanche held a morning skate at Pepsi Center prior to Game 6 of its second-round series. The San Jose Sharks hold a 3-2 seies advantage over the Avs going into Monday night's contest.
Here is what some Avalanche players and head coach Jared Bednar had to say after morning skate.

Head Coach Jared Bednar
On Patrik Nemeth Returning to the Lineup: "His heaviness down low, being able to stop the cycle, one of his strengths. Shot blocking is something he brings and penalty kill, he's been real good for us all year. So we're going to get him back in and we're going to run 11 forwards and mix some guys around a little bit and play the guys that are really gelling."
On the Power Play: "I touched on it the other day. To me, there's an attack mentality that's been missing a little bit at times. It's inconsistent, it's not there. It's just been a little inconsistent, I think the puck's got to move a little quicker and we've got to be willing to shoot the puck to soften them up and retrieve some pucks and try and attack with chaos and right now it looks like we're passing it around the perimeter. We're a little stagnant and not enough pucks to the net and retrievals, so there's a little bit of work that has to go in there. More of a 5-on-5 mentality for me, I think that will help us."
Colorado Defenseman Tyson Barrie
On Game 6: "I think you have to enjoy it. At the end of the day, we are one game away from forcing a Game 7 to go to a Conference Final. It's super exciting and you know we are the under-dog in this one. Pressure is on them and we are excited."
On Playing Elimination-Type Games: "It kind of feels like that I think there are a handful of games down the stretch that we felt like were you win or we are probably not going to make it. We did a good job on those and we have some experience in the past so it's a little bit to draw on but it's a good opportunity for us tonight and we are excited."
On Playing with Momentum: "I think throughout the course of the game for sure you don't want to get caught up on momentum swings and stuff but I think it is OK for us to get pretty high before the game and try to come out and throw everything we got at them."
On Tonight's Game:"I mean we win one and we got a chance to go and play a Game 7 to go to the Conference Final. This is closer than a lot of us have ever been to tasting a Stanley Cup. We are aware of that and we are going to be prepared for the task tonight."

Colorado Defenseman Erik Johnson
On the Team's Mentality: "I think we are pretty resilient. We were five points out after we lost to Anaheim, I think that was start of March and it looked bleak. We just believe in ourselves and I mean that is all that really matters, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks as long as you believe in yourself. I think we have a good belief system and guys care about each other and want to win and we got to do it tonight otherwise our season is over. We are focused, excited and I think we can get the job done."
On Game 5: "I think they played like they had a must-win last game, I think they didn't want to come back here and face an eliminate game in Game 6. We have to play with the same desperation and do or die for us so I think you will see our best game."
On the Final Stretch of the Regular Season: "I think we have kind of had the same vibe in here for the last two months. We have just been focused, resetting, not dwelling on wins and losses. I think you have to have a short memory in this game, whether you play good or bad it is all about how you respond. What's done is done and we can only control what is going to happen here tonight. I think we are going to have a good game, I think the focus is there and boys are ready to go, ready to have fun, it is going to be a fun atmosphere for us. Its do-or-die, these are the fun games to play in this time of year."

Colorado Defenseman Ian Cole
On Game 6: "It is obviously not an ideal situation facing elimination in a Game 6 but you know we got to win a hockey game. We know it is going to be a battle and that they are going to come out hard so it is going to be tough but it's a competitive situation that we are excited about."
On the Team's Mentality: "I think that if everyone just worries about each individual shift, each individual play in that shift and less about who is going to score or less about who is going to do that we will be in a better spot."
On Desperation Level: "The desperation is going to be extremely high and the execution needs to be able to match it. We can be as desperate as we want but if we don't execute we are not going to win so we need to make sure we are doing the right things."

Colorado Center Nathan MacKinnon
On Desperation Level: "I don't think I really need to describe it. It's obviously going to be high, if we lose we go home, so it's going to be an emotional game for us. We need to be ready."
On Getting More Offensive Chances: "I don't know, we actually had some really good looks, so I think we're doing a pretty good job in terms of that. I don't really think that's our problem right now."

Colorado Left Wing Gabriel Landeskog
On the Team's Mindset: "I think we're pretty relaxed, pretty relaxed and focused at the same time and we know what's at stake tonight, simple as that. We're not going to over-analyze it, we're not going to come in too loose. We're going to make sure we're ready to go."
On Game 6: "No doubt, this time of year facing elimination, you can't be out-worked, it just can't happen, so we'll make sure we'll be ready tonight and we know the fans will be ready here and the building will be rocking. There's no reason to save on anything tonight, we're going to make sure we leave it all out there and I feel good about our team. I feel good about where we're at and I feel good about the morning skate that we had. Guys seem ready."