Gerard Gallant met with the media following the loss to the Devils and said (MSG, NYR):

• On the game, “It was a good hockey game, two real good teams, a 2-1 score, but it was a good game. They were fast and quick and it was exactly what we expected and I thought that after the first period we played real well. But the first they were a lot quicker than we were and then we picked up our game and played a lot better the last two periods.”
• On the second and third period, “Our gap was a lot better, our neutral zone play was a lot better and we had more time in their zone, so we didn’t turn as many pucks over.”

• On the Devils, “they got a lot of skill and talent and are a real good team. They got a 102 points and have taken a step like our young players, talented team over there. They work hard and play hard and Lindy does a good job and the coaching staff does a good job with them, they are a confident group.”
• On the first period, “we turned a few pucks over. It wasn’t as bad as some of the games earlier on in the year. I just thought that they were fast and they were quick and that is how they play. We adjusted to it pretty well the second and third period, but the first we gotta come out a little bit better than we did.”
• On keeping games close and Shesterkin, “he didn’t have to be outstanding, he was good and solid, it wasn’t like they dominated us or nothing like that. The first period they had a lot of possession time and Shesty made some key saves for us, but after that I thought the game was pretty even and I thought we played well.”
• Is it beneficial to have this game right before potentially seeing them in the playoffs, “I think it’s good. We don’t know who we are playing yet, but if this is the team it’s a good matchup. We’ll see where it goes.”