Say What – “These Milestones Matter”

Head coach Ryan Huska on Tuesday's matchup with the division-leading Canucks:

“You still want to give your best on the ice and I think when you play against a top team that still has something in our division right now, we know what kind of game we're going to get from them – and it gives us a chance to see some young players against some of the best players. , you (can say). There will be some lineup changes for us tomorrow night and then it's just a matter of working and playing a smart road game.”

Mikael Backlund (and others) are slated to play all 82 games this year:

“You don't play every game without playing or trying to play. … Mikael is probably in the best form on our team. And today the shape of everything is not the same as before. He's the leader of this unit and there's a reason why he's been able to hold himself in a position where he can make all the plays. This year we have other guys. Mackenzie (Vigar), I believe; Naz (Qadri), I believe; and Sharan (Egor Sharangovich). So we've got guys that have done well and found a way to take care of themselves away from the rink.”

About the importance of playing in every game

“This is not an easy task. When you think about the travel … It's like a stretch – I think it's six games in 10 nights for us – with travel. It's not easy for the players because you don't rest properly to get where you want to be and then they have to be at their highest level against the best players.”

By individual milestones achieved:

Kadri and Blake Coleman are just one goal shy of 30; Vigar is one place away from the 20th

“They are important. At the end of the day, you always want it to be about team play, but at the same time, things like getting 30 goals or 20 goals for a defender are important and the teammates know that. There are times when you will do whatever you can to help those guys score if they can. While it's about the team, these milestones are important because it reinforces the type of season certain individuals have had for us.”

On Coleman's injury:

“Not tomorrow, but we've got our fingers crossed for the last day.”