On if there’s any “concern” that Anze Kopitar did not score on Thursday despite chances:
“I don’t think so. I think…as long if he’s getting them, that’s a good thing. Based on near-misses, goalies are making great saves, too, on him, so that’s a good thing.
On whether Thursday’s performance was the right response against Minnesota:
“We had a really good start. Not just because we scored, but we were playing the pressure game that we like to play. When a team changes goalies three minutes in, it’s not usually the goalie. It’s usually what the other team is doing, so that’s good.”
On LA’s goals in transition, the first of which was started on a wide shot by Mikko Koivu:
“Really, it’s a good lesson for everybody – missed nets are scoring chances at the other end. You play a team like Minnesota, you go into their rink and you miss the net, and their boards and ice are so much more lively and better than ours that they are scoring chances the other way, and that’s what that was. The second play – hey, it was a great play by Mike Richards.”
On if he’s ever talked to anybody to make the Staples Center boards “livelier”:
“No, I haven’t talked to anybody about it…it’s good if they’re lively. That means there’s not as many pucks along the boards. It is what it is.”
On Edmonton’s “attacking style”:
“Five-on-five, we play the same game they do. Their special teams – they’ve taken a jump up this year is special teams. It’s all it is…when you break it down.”
On whether Edmonton’s improved power play is a sign of maturation:
“That and their penalty killing is much better.”
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