Like Babcock, Shattenkirk hoping to greet Verizon staff, but in Round 2

The Capitals and Maple Leafs brought their A-games to the media ahead of Sunday night's pivotal Game 6, as Washington looks to end Toronto's season.

Two days after Mike Babcock bid Verizon Center staff farewell with "See you in a couple days," Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk said he shares the Maple Leafs head coach's sentiments.

"We're ready to go home and say hello to the Verizon guys on Monday as well, just getting ready for series two," he said, according to the Washington Post's Isabelle Khurshudyan.

Strong. That's Shattenkirk giving 110 percent in the postseason.

Here are some more select quotes from both clubs ahead of Sunday's 7 p.m. puck drop:

"I think Washington's a beautiful city so I wouldn't mind going back," Toronto agitator Nazem Kadri said.

"This is the fun time of year," Caps head coach Barry Trotz said. "It's stressful at times, but it's fun."

Alex Ovechkin, who took a big hit from Kadri in Game 5, said he's just fine.

"I take a hit and we win the game so I'll take those hits every day," Ovie said.

He also knows what's at stake.

"They're young, but they're tough," Ovechkin said about the Leafs, who have punched back against the NHL's top team at every turn, with all five games decided by one goal and four of them requiring extra time. "They never stop so it's a challenge. It's going to be an interesting game.

"You don't want to give them extra air and extra motivation to play Game 7," he added. "We know exactly what we have to do."

The Caps may know what they require, but that hasn't exactly mattered in the past:

"Right now we'll do anything to keep playing," Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly said. "This is the most motivated this group has ever been."

We'll give coach Babcock the final word.

"If you're not loving this today, or enjoying it, you shouldn't be in hockey," he said.