We're all starting together, ... starting our conquest to become an elite team.

It doesn't put more pressure. We know that we have to win some games on the road to keep pace. You have to go and get the points. So we'll have some time to regroup in practice. We're looking at two games again this week.

Their last three goals were missed assignments.

It's two points closer to a playoff spot. And it's gaining some credibility and confidence.

I don't think this is a big problem in the NHL. But I think it's good to have this. You need to have some integrity in the sport and to have some standards. The best way to do that is have testing.

I think when you look at our record in December at home, it's a real good indication that we've taken great strides since the beginning of the year. Our ability to protect the lead and our ability to win close games now has improved, and we've been gaining confidence.

He's showing a lot of leadership that way. We need him. He's one of our more talented players; a player with good speed, powerful, goes to the net. Early in the year he wasn't going to the net as much; he's been going to the net and shooting the puck more.

That's the kind of play I expect of him, getting involved at both ends of the ice. His play has really picked up since the L.A. trip. He's showing a lot of leadership that way. We need him.

We know we have to win some (road) games to keep pace. Whether playing at home or on the road, you've got to get points.