Chat Transcript
CBS SportsLine.com
February 21, 2001

Lalime keeps adding to his franchise high 24 wins and is tied for fifth in the league. (Allsport)

Lalime has been the steady hand in the goal for the Senators. He hopes to keep adding to his franchise high 24 wins and is tied for fifth in the league. His goals-against average of 2.20 places him sixth in the league with goalies who have 20 or more games and his save percentage of .917 is eleventh in the NHL.

Lalime was also named NHL Player of the week for last week's play. He finished the week off with a 3-0-0 record, a 1.00 goals-against average, a .962 save percentage and one shutout. Chat transcript below.

Patrick Lalime: Hi everybody! I am happy to be here. Hopefully I have the answers to all your questions.

Question: erric: You are playing very well lately, what do you attribute to your success?

Patrick Lalime: I always look at it as a team thing. You need the guys in front of you. I am happy to be part of the organization and everyone is playing up to their talent. When everybody does their job we are pretty good.

Question: wiscking: Is there anything you think the team needs to continue to work on?

Patrick Lalime: Well, there are always places for improvement. With the year we are having -- battling through injuries and having some young guys in -- we feel good where we are right now.

Question: paully: Is there anyone that you stop that you really feel good about since that player is so good?

Patrick Lalime: There are SO many good players! When you play it is always a challenge to play against people like Jagr, Forsberg, Bure.. I could name everyone! It is a challenge and fun. It brings the best out of you when you play against guys who are that good.

Question: peekaboo: I've always wondered, how on Earth do you guys see that little tiny puck coming at you at that speed, not to mention with all those other players in front of you?

Patrick Lalime: We are used to that since we are young. I think it is eye-movement coordination. You try to put your body in front of it. It sounds easy but we practice a lot. That thing is not that big but when you are feeling good, you see it big. When you aren't, you see it small. It is a challenge every game and that is why it is fun.

Question: barky: Is your nickname still "The Butterfly Bandit"?

Patrick Lalime: I don't know where those people got that name. When I was in the minors people called me Limer. Or a simple Patty or Pat. Some call me Marvin now since that is on my helmet. I don't have a name like some of the guys.

Question: hoopster88: I am from Pittsburgh and I liked you a lot as a goalie in Pittsburgh, you did such a good job, so after excelling in Pittsburgh how did it feel to be left go by the team?

Patrick Lalime: It was disappointing. I liked it in Pittsburgh. I had a wonderful time there playing with such good players. I liked the fans and the city too. I was behind two veterans in Wregget and Barrasso. I had to move on because I wanted to play in the NHL. I am finally happy, having gotten a chance to play in Ottawa.

Question: ken_d: How much rest does a goalie need during the season? How many games can you play before you need to take one off?

Patrick Lalime: It is not a matter of making a decision. It is the coach's decision most of the time. I feel good playing more. It is hard to stop when your confidence level is going up and the relationship on the ice is going well. They are going to give us days off to be sharp. I think it is the mental part, to remain sharp. The rest will take care of itself, pretty much.

Question: marty3: Who will be the Ottawa Senators toughest Competition from the Eastern Conference in the NHL Playoffs this season?

Patrick Lalime: There are so many good teams. New Jersey and Philadelphia are big challenges. Buffalo was tough last time in the playoffs. Toronto has been a challenge too. Now there are many good teams and it makes it fun. It makes everyone pick up his game and it is more interesting.

Question: goaltend: The Sabres seem to have your guys' number the last two games, will you all look to do anything different against them when you play them next week?

Patrick Lalime: I think we score 3 goals in the 4 games against Hasek. That is a big part of us not winning those. We have to find a way to go by them. They are playing some tight checking and all. If you look at the scores it is like 10 goals total in five game. 2-0, 2-1. It can go either way. It is a matter of getting that first goal.. or even that first rebound.

Question: plante: What game would you say has been your best performance to date? What made it so special?

Patrick Lalime: That is a good question! You know.. That game the other day against Jersey. We finished 4-4 but there were many good scoring chances. Making a shutout isn't the key. Stopping the shots in a crucial time. Every game is a big game to win, for me. And getting out there is important.

Question: big10rox: What part of your game do you think is your strength and which do you think you still need a little improvement in, if any?

Patrick Lalime: My strength? I would say.. well I am a big guy and it helps. I try to be as patient as I can. I don't want to make the first move. I am good on the butterfly but want to stand up too. I don't want to go down all the time. Reading the play is part of it. I need to improve on playing the pocket. And other things like the recovery from the rebound. There are many things you have to work on day after day and that will be how it is the rest of my career.

Question: puckerup: Do you ever get discouraged when the so called experts say you don't have enough experience to lead Ottawa to a Stanley Cup?

Patrick Lalime: That makes me laugh a little. I thought about it at the beginning of the season. People said Ottawa needed a goalie. I know what I am capable of and needed time to show it. I like how the season has been going. And I think we can do the same in the playoffs. It is the same game on the ice but just a little more pressure. It gets the best out of you and I am really looking forward to the playoffs.

Question: hockeyfan: Many goalies have superstitions, and/or pregame rituals. Do have any? What are they?

Patrick Lalime: I tried to have a little as I can. It is more like a routine. I eat the same things, like pasta. And dress in the same order all the time. I don't like to go into too many details about that. I like to keep it to myself. Of course when you win you have things like that stick and stuff. But it is more how you approach the game.

Question: goaltend: Do you think playing goalie is more mentally or physically challenging?

Patrick Lalime: I think more mentally. At the level we are now, there are so many goalies out there. The difference is mentally how you approach game. We are by ourselves for 2-3 hours in the crease. We don't talk to people that much and we have to stay focused all the time. That cam be tough when you allow bad goals. You have to focus. You don't want to think about everything else that is going on. It is easy to lose focus and you have to work on it all the time.

Question: ender: How would you rate this year's Ottawa's defence to last season's?

Patrick Lalime: I think it is pretty much.. if you look at the numbers, playing better. Maybe a little less experience with two rookies, but they are doing good. Every year you have young guys getting more confidence. Now add the veterans and well.. it is a team. The forwards are a big part, the goalie and the defense. It is a big team thing.

Question: goaltend: How are the fans in Ottawa? Are they real supportive of the team and how much of an advantage is home ice?

Patrick Lalime: I think they are unbelievable! Last year we had that tough stretch about the team moving. The fans stepped up and backed us up. They all know about hockey here. It is a really good hockey town. People love it and it is great playing here. The ambience is good. I only had the chance to play in the playoffs against Toronto here but it was unbelievable. Very fun.

Question: jenni: How did it feel being named NHL Player of the week?

Patrick Lalime: That feels pretty good, that's for sure. Like I said earlier -- I look at it like a team thing. I need my teammates. It is everyone's honor when it happens to a goalie like that.

Question: bvan: Patrick, how do you feel about playing on the Canadian Olympic Team next year?

Patrick Lalime: I never thought about it, really. There is a lot of time before that happens. There are a lot of good goalies out there. If it happens I will be very happy. But right now I focus on Ottawa and the team. We are going for the Stanley Cup and that is what my focus is on right now.

Question: ender: Who would be your four favorite defensemen to play behind ?

Patrick Lalime: I don't like to say things like that. But all the guys on the team are doing such a good job. All the guys are doing really well and it is fun to be out there with all of them.

Question: marty3: Describe what it will take for The Ottawa Senators to win "The Stanley Cup" this season?

Patrick Lalime: It will take 20 guys playing hard every night. Everyone has to understand their role and play it to the best of their ability. We have a lot of speed and good players. A good scoring line and a good checking line. The defensemen are strong. Good coaches too. We just have to make sure everyone shows up for every game and we will be alright.

Patrick Lalime: Thanks to all the fans out there. To everybody. I wish you all the best and thanks for being there for us all the time. Bye!