Richardson: 'These guys are a special group'

MONTREAL - The Canadiens are bound for the Stanley Cup Final after posting a 3-2 overtime win over the Golden Knights at the Bell Centre.

SHOP: Semifinals T-Shirt
After the game, forwards Phillip Danault and Cole Caufield spoke with reporters via Zoom, along with defenseman Shea Weber and goaltender Carey Price.
They were followed by assistant coach Luke Richardson.
Here are a few highlights from their respective chats:
Danault on Artturi Lehkonen's tally in the extra frame:
I was just in the moment and I saw the opening. Our line played well the whole series, but we couldn't capitalize. The goal really was the cherry on top. I saw Lehky to my left and he scored a huge goal. It was a good zone entry by Gally, too. It was a memorable play.

Danault on clinching a spot in the Stanley Cup Final on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day:
It's special. I had a feeling something big was going to happen today. It's amazing. I'm speechless. It's tough to process everything that's happened. I'm going to need some time to think about it. It's incredible. I'm really proud of the guys. We played very good hockey, but we want more. We want to win. We didn't do all of this for nothing. We're hungry. These are the best times of our lives.

Caufield on the city embracing him since he joined the group:
This is awesome. I love the fans. I wish it was a packed building, but the people that we did let in, they've been unbelievable for us. This city has been nothing but the best so far, and hopefully we can keep making them happy.

Caufield on the opportunity to play in the Stanley Cup Final:
It means everything to me, but it means everything to the team. These guys have been playing for a while. This opportunity doesn't come around very often. Playing for these older guys and the guys that have been here for a while is probably the biggest thing right now. I'm just trying to take it all in and enjoy the moment. It's for the older guys and the guys that have been here for a while.

Weber on the chance to play in his first Stanley Cup Final after so many years in the League:
I'm excited, just like I was excited to play every game in this playoff so far. Whether you're 20 or 35, it's an exciting time. To still be playing hockey into July, it's probably the longest time anyone has played, minus the bubble last year. We're happy to still be playing, and we're excited going forward.

Weber on Danault and Lehkonen, who play hard defensively, and ultimately came through in overtime:
Honestly, I think they don't get enough credit. Their biggest job is shutting the other team's top lines down, and they've done an exceptional job. For them to get a goal for us to move on, it's awesome. I feel great for them. They're going to have another big challenge coming up, whether it's the Islanders or the Lightning. It's their job. They know it. Any chance they can chip in as well, they're happy to do so, but the main thing for them and a lot of guys is taking care of the other end first.

Price on the key to the Canadiens' success in overtime:
It's just sticking with it. There's obviously luck involved. It's just a lot of hard work and taking those opportunities when you get them.

Price on celebrating with the 3,500 fans in attendance after Lehkonen lit the lamp:
I'm excited for those people that were lucky enough to be in the building. Everybody in the city is ecstatic. It's a fun time to be in Montreal right now.

Richardson on reaching this point after a regular season and postseason full of adversity:
It's really heartwarming to see a group of guys that work that hard together. I know every team says the same thing, but these guys are a special group and a really good mix. It's hard to put into words how proud we are of them, but they deserve it, and they're not done yet. They still have fire in their eyes. They're already talking about it. We are shifting our focus right away. We'll step away, take some rest, come back on Saturday and do a little work, and get right back at it on Sunday. We're looking forward to the challenge.

Richardson on speaking with interim head coach Dominique Ducharme after the series-clinching victory:
I fist pumped him on the video screen. I don't know if we actually connected, but it was pretty close. He was definitely very excited and happy for us. I'm sure his heart was torn. He would've loved to be here with us. We know that. We made sure he was on the TV right when everybody came in. Dom wasn't on very long. He wanted the guys to celebrate. They deserve it. He hopes to be back soon. The guys really miss him and really respect what he's done this year, so it's kind of the hard part of the story right now. The good thing about it is the players got something done, and they can feel like they got it and extended it so Dom can get back with us.