MTL@CGY: Quotes of the day

CALGARY - The Canadiens held an optional skate on Friday morning at the Scotiabank Saddledome ahead of their matchup with the Flames.

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During the pregame media availability, forwards Paul Byron and Cole Caufield spoke with reporters via Zoom, as did interim head coach Dominique Ducharme.
Here are a few highlights from their respective chats:
Byron on the Flames' physicality:
There's a playoff atmosphere when we play against Calgary. It's important for our team to come out strong and be physical. We have to play like it's a playoff game. It's a very good challenge for us. We know we can do it.

Byron on the COVID-19 situation currently affecting the Flames:
We have confidence in the League. I'm sure they'll make the right decision for both teams. We don't really know the situation with the Flames. When we were affected, we quarantined for a week because we had a player who tested positive for COVID-19. It might be the same thing for them. We're preparing for the game tonight, but we'll see what happens. It's an important game and the guys will be ready.
Caufield on life on the road in the NHL:
You kind of find yourself with a lot more free time. You can spend that hanging out with the guys. I find myself hanging around with them as much as I can and soaking up as much as I can during these times. That's probably the most special thing. It's what I like the most.

Caufield on taking shots on Carey Price in practice:
It's pretty surreal. You kind of watch him on TV growing up, and the next thing you know, you're taking a shot on him. I realized pretty fast that he's pretty good. It was special. He's injured right now, but for the little time that I got to shoot on him, you could just tell how special he is.

Ducharme on the COVID-19 situation currently affecting the Flames:
We're getting ready for the game. The League has been doing a tremendous job at managing cases like this. We're ready to go and we trust everything is under control. If not, they're going to tell us.

Ducharme on communicating with Caufield while he awaits his NHL debut:
We had a discussion with Cole about soaking everything in, the practices, the morning skates, the game days, the guys, the travel, everything. He's working. He's on the ice with NHL players. Right now, that's the situation. Nothing has changed.