WPG@MTL: Leadership and confidence are key

BROSSARD - Defenseman Jeff Petry, forward Corey Perry and interim head coach Dominique Ducharme spoke with reporters via Zoom ahead of Friday night's matchup against the Winnipeg Jets at the Bell Centre.

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Here are a few highlights from their respective chats:
Petry on the importance of veteran leadership right now:
It's not only us, it's everybody. Everybody has a voice and everyone sees things differently. For us, it's just making sure that everyone stays positive and everyone stays on top of what we need to do. We just want to keep our minds focused and keep everybody pushing in the right direction. It's important not to let doubt or anything come into our minds if we go down a goal early. We just have to keep the same mindset. Games are going to be tough down the stretch and games are going to be tough in the future, so it's important to stay even and not try to force something when you're down a goal, or sit back when you're up a goal. We have to kind of keep our attitude and our mindset even, no matter what the situation or circumstance is.

Petry on collectively generating more offensively:
It's just a matter of bearing down. We've had opportunities and we've had chances, so now it's just a matter of believing in ourselves, knowing that we can score goals, and when that opportunity comes, not to grip the stick any tighter. You have to have that mindset that when you have the chance, you're going to capitalize on your opportunities. We just have to be mentally prepared when we do get those situations. That's something that can turn quickly, just making sure that we're bearing down on our chances.

Perry on playing with confidence for the remainder of the regular season:
We need to play the way we know we can. You look at that last game in Calgary, it was a solid team effort. That's what the playoffs are. It's not about one individual carrying a team, it's about team effort, and that's what we need.

Perry on trying to catch Winnipeg in the North Division standings:
That's one thing we've talked about, what's in front of us. You want to be in the playoff picture at this time of year and we're in a good spot. We hold the cards. At the end of the day, we're up by four points right now over Calgary, so we've just got to take care of business here at home and go from there, and then start looking forward.
Ducharme on the chance to move within four points of the Jets with a victory:
We're taking things one game at a time. We're dealing with a lot right now. We're just concentrating on the game tonight and things we can control.

Ducharme on making Perry an assistant captain with Paul Byron on the sidelines:
I expect him to continue doing the same things with our group, both on the ice and with how he conducts himself in the dressing room and in team meetings. He's experienced. We've seen what he can bring at key moments. We've seen the impact Corey can have with our group.