Q. What's the best penalty-killing unit you've faced in these playoffs?

A. I don't want to comment on Detroit since we're still playing them, so I would say the Rangers, the way they work as a group, play physical and block a lot of shots. It was tough to play against them.

Q. What's the main reason you signed with the Penguins?

A. At the time, I played against them a lot, and I knew how offense oriented they were, an offensive style of hockey, and I like that.

Q. How does the "new" NHL since the lockout compare with international play?

A. The ice is smaller, so it's a higher tempo and much more physical with much more shots. Over there, it's more passing. The NHL is a little closer now because of the rules changes.

Q. What's the strangest question you've been asked about teammate, fellow Russian and tenant Evgeni Malkin?

A. One Russian newspaper asked me what kind of wallpaper was in his room. I told them to just leave me alone.

Q. What's one of your favorite offseason activities?

A. I love tennis. I play a lot. I watch a lot. Sometimes, I travel to see matches, like to the French Open. The U.S. Open, I've gone every summer for six, seven years with my wife. I was there when [Russian] Marat Safin won the [men's] championship [in 2000].