Caufield: 'You've got to enjoy every moment'

TAMPA - The Canadiens skated at AMALIE Arena ahead of Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Lightning.

SHOP: CHic Playoff Line
After practice, defenseman Ben Chiarot and forward Cole Caufield spoke with reporters via Zoom.
They were followed by interim head coach Dominique Ducharme.
Here are a few highlights from their respective chats:
Chiarot on the play of veteran Corey Perry in the playoffs:
He's a leader. He's been one of the best players in the NHL for the last 15 years. He's been one of the premiere goal scorers in the League for a long time, and a Team Canada player. Anytime you're around someone like that, you try and soak in as much as you can, what they do, and how they go about their business. He just loves the game. That's the biggest thing I've taken from him, how much he enjoys being at the rink, how much he enjoys being on the ice. He loves hockey. That's why he's had so much success in his career.

Chiarot on avoiding fatigue given the lengthy postseason run:
We're playing for the Stanley Cup. There's nothing bigger than this. If you have a problem getting up for the game, you're probably in the wrong business.

Caufield on learning from Perry since joining the Canadiens:
He's unbelievable. He's a guy that I really look up to. The other day, Nick and I were talking about how he was our favorite player to watch growing up. It's just kind of crazy that you get to be on the same team as him, do the same things, eat together, and just spend time with each other. He's been great to us. He's a good mentor. He's been an unbelievable player for us this postseason.

Caufield on enjoying his playoff experience:
This is the best hockey I've ever had. It's so much fun. Everybody's been telling me to enjoy it. Obviously, you can get pretty stressed out in times like these, but you're playing hockey. It's the best game in the world. You can't take it for granted. You've got to enjoy every moment you can.

Ducharme's on Caufield's play in overtime during the postseason:
He loves the big moments. He proved that even before the playoffs. He also scored two overtime goals in the regular season. When the game's on the line, he just takes his game to another level.

Ducharme on facing elimination again:
We've dealt with so many different things in the playoffs. We faced a lot of adversity during the regular season and the playoffs. We're focusing on ourselves and what we can control.