Brady Skjei goes into the corner with The Post’s Steve Serby to talk about Rangers-Senators, life as a rookie, and more:
Q: What do you like best about this team?
A: I think our speed and skill. When we’re putting our speed on display, that’s when I think we’re at our best. We aren’t the team that’s gonna out-physical a team. We don’t have any guys that are real enforcers. But when we play with our speed, we’re a pretty scary team to play against. It was also nice to see last series that we can play that physical element, too. The whole year that was kind of our knock — (that) we were a soft team, we weren’t physical. Our series in Montreal was the most physical series in the playoffs.
Q: A quick scouting report on you?
A: I’d say good skater. It’s probably my No. 1 asset is my skating ability … can make a good first pass and can make plays in the offensive zone and is reliable in the D zone and can play a physical game.
Q: Ottawa forward Chris Neil?
A: I’m gonna play him just how I play every other forward on their team — try to take away his time and space and just try to play whistle to whistle. He’s gonna want to start stuff after the whistle, and you just gotta let it go and just play the game.
Q: He drove you into the boards and to the ice in December.
A: He kinda hit me from behind into the bench. As a player, you gotta know who you’re out there against. A guy like that’s gonna look to hit you whenever, so gotta protect yourself.
Q: Mats Zuccarello stood up for you.
A: None of us are really fighters, but we all stick up for each other and that’s been a huge thing.
Q: Your mentality on the ice?
A: I would say even-keel. I don’t try to get too high or too low. I play with a little emotion, but nothing that’s gonna take me off my game, I don’t think. I try to play a smart game and use my speed to my advantage.
Q: What drives you?
A: To win a Cup. That’s what really makes me come to the rink every day and want to get better and make our team get better. Winning a Cup would be the ultimate dream.
Q: Do you feel any pressure?
A: I think my whole life I’ve been pretty good at handling pressure. I get more excited than I feel nervous.
Q: The agony of losing in the first round of the playoffs last year against the Penguins?
A: I wasn’t really part of the team, I was there for seven games in the regular season and then all playoffs. Seeing what the guys put in to get to that point and then to have it end like that was tough. This year, being part of the team the whole year has kinda made me realize what it really takes to get to the playoffs, and I don’t want to have that feeling anytime soon here.
Q: What makes Hank (Henrik Lundqvist) Hank?
A: His focus, determination at the rink. It’s amazing how dialed in he is before games.
Q: Zucc?
A: I think his skill set is off the charts. He’s not the biggest guy out there, but you can’t get the puck from him. He always makes the right play, and he’s pretty flashy too sometimes, that can really put you in awe.
Q: Jimmy Vesey?
A: Super skilled. Plays with an edge. Every month that he’s been here, he’s gotten better and better, and now he’s really playing well.
Q: How big a leap do you think you’ve taken since the beginning of the season?
A: I think I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable since the start of the year and more confident.
Q: Do you enjoy playing on the power play?
A: Yeah, I do. It’s a time of the game where you can really make another team pay, and I like trying to be that guy that can set up a play to get a goal.
Q: Ryan McDonagh is your guy.
A: We play similar games. We’re both pretty good skaters, left-handed shots, from Minnesota. Went the college hockey route and then both play here. I try to be a sponge around him, soak up as much as I can. He’s just an elite defenseman in this league, so whatever he tells me, I’m gonna listen to.
Q: What’s it like having Vesey as a roommate?
A: It’s fun. It’s nice that we are both rookies this year. We’re kinda going through it all together. It makes it better when you got someone to talk to or someone to hang out with. You don’t feel alone.
Q: Why do you enjoy living in TriBeCa?
A: It’s quiet. It’s kind of a family atmosphere place. There are a lot of families and young kids.
Q: Favorite restaurants?
A: ABC Kitchen and American Cut.
Q: Favorite NYC things?
A: I like going to SoHo, like that area, walking around on an off day. I like Central Park. I just kinda like exploring a little bit, just taking the subway to wherever.
Q: Boyhood idol?
A: Niklas Lidstrom. I love the way he played. … He’s just so good defensively and so good offensively.
Q: Boyhood dream?
A: To play in the NHL. I always wanted to play high school hockey and then go play for the Minnesota Gophers. To make it to the NHL was the main dream.
Q: If you could pick the brain of any player in history, who would you pick?
A: Maybe Gretzky. The stuff he did was incredible. All the things he accomplished, it’d be pretty amazing to listen to. Last year, I lived with Ryan Bourque in Hartford, and obviously his dad’s Ray Bourque, and getting to pick his brain was a pretty cool thing. He always gave me advice after games, so I took that advice and definitely ran with it.
Q: What was the best piece of advice he gave you?
A: He said he went to practice every day and competed like it was his last day.
Q: You played quarterback in high school.
A: Up until my sophomore year. I went to Ann Arbor my junior year, so I just quit playing.
Q: Which quarterbacks did you like watching?
A: Cam Newton. I liked the guys that could run, like Johnny Manziel, like those guys.
Q: Were you a decent quarterback?
A: I was pretty good, yeah. I was like a rollout passer. I was pretty mobile. I wasn’t really a pocket passer.
Q: Athletes in other sports you admire?
A: Football: Tom Brady, just the mental side of the game he plays with. I think he has that “it” factor, that clutch gene that people have. Basketball: It’s amazing what LeBron can do with his size and his ability. Baseball: I’d say Jeter, off the field how he never really had a mess-up in his whole career. Golf: My favorite player’s probably Jordan Spieth.
Q: How good a golfer are you?
A: Pretty good, played on my high school varsity team. Probably 2- or 3-handicap. My parents’ house is on a golf course, so I was always playing the sport.
Q: Game-day routine or superstitions?
A: I always get an iced coffee when we’re home. I get a peanut butter bagel before the game, and then usually play soccer with the guys before warm-ups.
Q: Who’s the best soccer player?
A: Zucc.
Q: Your girlfriend, Gracia?
A: We grew up next-door neighbors. We didn’t start dating until freshman year in college. She’s a nurse at NYU right now.
Q: Tell me how Sam Rosen likes his coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts.
A: (Laughs) I think he gets just straight black with maybe a little bit of milk. Me and Jimmy take the subway to the game, and if we see Sam we always treat him with a coffee.
Q: Are you recognized on the subway?
A: Maybe once every subway trip, but nothing crazy.
Q: That’s the beauty of New York, you can kind of blend in, right?
A: Yeah, exactly.
Q: How would you describe what it’s like being a New York Ranger?
A: You feel honored … really want to bring a Cup to this city. That’s a huge thing for me.
Q: You’re not even from this city.
A: I know, but being here for a year-and-a-half, you see how many people really are diehard Ranger fans and they really put a lot of time and effort in watching us. To give them a Cup and also fulfill a lifelong dream would be pretty cool.
Q: You have no idea how this city embraces winners.
A: I don’t, not yet. Hopefully soon.
Q: Can this team make a serious run at a Cup?
A: I believe so. I think we have all the tools to do it.