Prior to the start of the Eastern Conference Finals, Mats Sundin held a conference call with various NHL media types. Normally we'd use the material to write a feature, but Jim is really sick at the moment and I'm filled with my usual staggering sense of apathy towards all things. So instead we'll just run the transcript from the call. Except, you know, I've changed the questions in order to confuse and bewilder you, our valued readers. This way you can play along at home and try to guess what the real question was. Enjoy.

LCS: Mats, how's it goin'? So what's it like to be Swedish?

Mats Sundin by Meredith Martini

MATS SUNDIN: It's certainly convenient for both teams. I think when we go on the road now in this series, it's going to be a two-hour bus ride for us; so, that's very nice. And I think that every time we played in Buffalo this season, we had a lot of support from Toronto fans in the area, and all along the QEW. So certainly, it's very good for us, and I'm sure Buffalo is enjoying it as well.

LCS: I'm not sure if you're aware of this or not, since you've been in North America so long now, but LCS Hockey is huge in Sweden. In fact, I have this theory about the Swedish people: Swedes love LCS Hockey. Do you agree?

MATS SUNDIN: We have Canada's hopes on our shoulders, I guess. It doesn't really add anything, I think. We are all so excited to do what we've been doing all year, and I think as far as we look at it, we're halfway there, and it's a lot of fun. I think at this level, you put a lot of pressure on yourself as a player to perform and do well. And this time of year, there's a lot of excitement, and obviously, there's more media following what's going on. But it's a great time, and it's a lot of fun.

LCS: Does your country really have a bikini team?

MATS SUNDIN: I can't really remember. All I remember is I think all games were very exciting. I think people don't give Buffalo enough credit for being a good, creative, offensive team. Once they have the puck, they really come at you. And obviously, they are very solid defensively, but they also have a good transition game. I think all five games were very exciting and could have gone either way. I remember the first few games we played where we lost, we couldn't really get the puck by Hasek, but it was certainly an exciting series throughout the regular season, and I'm expecting the same stuff starting Sunday.

LCS: How important is Absolut Vodka to the Swedish people?

MATS SUNDIN: Well, I don't know if it's going to be a key factor. I think we're looking at two really strong teams. You can see all kind of matchups within those teams, I guess, but I think it's going to come down to who plays best as a team and is patient. I think both teams have three or four lines that are contributing offensively and defensively, and both teams have great goaltending. I think it's very evenly matched, both teams. And what's brought Buffalo to this point is they have been playing as a team and been playing great together, and the same for the Leafs; so, we've been really pulling together and getting contributions from all four lines all year, and in the playoffs. And I'm sure it's going to look the same when the series starts.

LCS: Is that old dude on the bottle related to you in any way?

MATS SUNDIN: Well, I think especially the First Round there, we struggled with the production offensively; and after that, against Pittsburgh I thought it looked a little bit better. But definitely, it is a little bit different hockey in the playoffs. Teams don't give up as much. It's little tighter defensively. You don't get those two-on-ones, the three-on-twos, the outnumber rushes that you do during the regular season as much. And I think we've been adjusting really well by being patient and not getting frustrated by not getting production that we did throughout the regular season offensively; but tighten up our own end and playing better defensively and wait for our chances.

LCS: I asked because if you squint, take away the beard, and picture him in a Jofa helmet, he kind of looks like you. Are you sure you're not related?

MATS SUNDIN: I think we got the question answered in the First Round. I look back at that series, and it was one of the most high-checking series I've played. It was 1-0 games, 2-0, 2-1, a lot of low-scoring games, and I thought we did well. It was a great test for our team to prove that we can stay patient and play defensively and wait for our chances to score.

LCS: Absolut Citron is made from natural flavors and vodka distilled from grain grown in the rich fields of southern Sweden. The distilling and flavoring of vodka is an age-old Swedish tradition dating back more than 400 years. Vodka has been sold under the name Absolut since 1879. I really don't have a question here, I just thought it was pretty cool. People probably don't know that stuff, huh?

MATS SUNDIN: As I said, I think people forget that -- I mean, I get this question a lot. He is a really good defensive player, but people don't really appreciate that he's really good offensively as well. For sure, if we're going to play that line, we have to be aware defensively to not run out of position or take a lot of crazy chances. We played Jagr's line in the previous series, and I think we did good where we try to keep him and their line in check; and I think at the same time try to be productive offensively.

LCS: Do you like the Citron or do you find it too acidic?

MATS SUNDIN: Well, we had some good battles already in the regular season. I don't know, we certainly have a different style of play; where I have a reach and height advantage on him, and he might be a little quicker around me. I'm sure it's going to be a battle. I'll have to try to use my size a little more, and hopefully use my reach to my advantage.

LCS: I wonder how they get the bottle to look all frosty like?

MATS SUNDIN: I don't know. I think both teams have made it to the Conference Finals here, and I think the teams are very evenly matched. I can't really see an underdog or a favorite, or a team that's a favorite to win in series. I think whatever team is best for the day throughout the seven-game series and whatever team wants it most is going to come out on top I think.

LCS: Sometimes I'll drink Vodka until I'm dizzy for no other reason than to feel dizzy. Is that wrong?

MATS SUNDIN: I think that's a good question. I think a lot of teams, when you face a player of Hasek's caliber and a player that's got that reputation that he's almost unbeatable, I think sometimes it has happened in the past where players try and look for that perfect shot. I think you're right.

I think we've played him enough times now, and we play a goalie every day in practice that is really good in Curtis Joseph, to know that you have to put a lot of pucks at him. And usually, you get goals that are kind of trickled in, or is deflected in somehow or found the net, or there is a screen where he can't see the puck.

But I think our way to go at Hasek is to make sure that we get a lot of shots and that we have a lot of traffic in front of the net. Usually the pucks that he can't see you hope a few of them he can't stop. We'll try to approach it that way.

LCS: Thank you very much for your time, Mats.

MATS SUNDIN: Thank you very much.

LCS: No, Mats... thank you and your beautiful Vodka-making homeland.

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