May 10, 2008

Western Conference Final Pre-Game Quotes
Detroit Red Wings Head Coach Mike Babcock

DAVID KEON:  Questions for Coach. 

Q	Can you talk about Darren Helm and what he's provided so far in the playoffs, has exceeded expectations for a guy who's only played a few games before the playoffs? 

COACH MIKE BABCOCK:  Right.  We didn't have expectations of him whatsoever.  And the first time we called him up, I was scared to play him and he was scared to play.  Then when we called him up again he played really, really well.  Now, in the playoffs, he's a player that can play against anybody.  He's flat out fast.  He's gritty.  Finishes checks.  Smart.  Good defensively.  Good in the faceoff circle.  A real good player. 

I mean, I think he's an NHL player.  Now, the way we do things, Kenny and Jimmy will have him in the minors next year for two more years, but he's an NHL player. 

Q	Is everybody who is in Game 1 healthy for tonight's game? 

COACH MIKE BABCOCK:  No, not everybody's totally healthy.  But guys haven't been healthy all playoffs.  So I'm not going to worry about that. 

At this time we plan on going with what we had. 

Q	In Game 1, like most, I'm assuming most part of the regular season, putting a Tomas Holmstrom or Johan Franzen in front of the goal, was very effective than it was in Game 1 as well, why is that such a strong strategy playing against a very outgoing goaltender like Marty Turco? 

COACH MIKE BABCOCK:  I don't know if it's any more of a strategy against Marty Turco or anybody else.  We tried to do the same thing to Ellis and also to Theodore and to me they're all too good.  Can't even score in practice.  

How are you going to score on these goalies in the game unless you have someone in front of them.  When you put someone in front of them, the other team has to make a decision.  Do they box them out, take themselves out of play?  Do they front them and try to block the shot?  But all you're trying to do is trying to keep the goalie inside the paint.  

And you're trying to get some second chances.  Maybe he doesn't see you.  If they see it, they stop it.  So that's what we try to do.  Now, a number of teams in the league try to do the same thing, but we're fortunate the guys that we have go there on a continual basis, in Cleary and Holmstrom and Franzen, have skill.  You can get there all day long.  If you have no skill to finish, it's not the same thing.  

DAVID KEON:  Thank you, Coach.  

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