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True Confessions

Oilers declare mission statements

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Posted: Sunday April 16, 2000 08:28 PM

By Terry Jones, Edmonton Sun

In the Stanley Cup playoffs you do what you have to do to win.

That's like a cliche. Or a mantra. It's part of the opening of the telecasts. It has an appeal which attracts both the criminal element and the romanticists. And it's time for the Edmonton Oilers to dial into it.

Do what you have to do to win.

As a team. As individuals.

It was an interesting exercize yesterday as I made the tour of the Oilers' bath house, asking one question, and one question only, of several players:

What do YOU have to do?
Ryan Smyth: "I have to be more gritty. I have to get in there and get real gritty. My job is to get in front of the net and create havoc. I have to get in front of Eddie Belfour and make things happen. It's my biggest asset and I have to bring it into this series now.''
Bill Guerin: "I just have to play better. I just somehow have to find opportunities to score. It's been tough. They've been playing great defensively. But somehow I have to find the opportunity. I have to find it.''
Roman Hamrlik: "I have to get my shots on the net. I have to move the puck forward and when I get a shot, I have to get it on the net. And sometimes, I have to come in and go for that rebound, too.''
Doug Weight: "I have to show that I'm going to do the game plan. We all strayed from that in Dallas. When I get the puck, I have to make something happen. I have to keep the puck and win the battles down low. And I have to get it going on the power play. Both power plays have been horrendous. The first team to get their power play going may win a game because of it.''
Georges Laraque: "I have to be even more physical. I have to make home ice as big a factor as I can. I have to use the crowd and atmosphere to get everybody going.''
Janne Niinimaa: "I have to make much better decisions with the puck. I can't make bad decisions at key moments. I'm one of the guys who has to make good passes, good first passes, and join the play. That's my role and I'm going to do it.''
Tom Poti: "I have to create something from the back end. I have to take care of defence first and then make sure my first pass is good.''
Rem Murray: "I have to be strong on the puck. I have to win my one-on-one battles. I have to take a hit and make a play.''
Kevin Lowe: "We just have to win the battles all over the ice. That's been a strength of ours all season. Just win the battles."

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