April 24 postgame quotes: Anze Kopitar

On the loss to Detroit:
“We knew they were going to come out strong, and obviously they’re fighting for a playoff position, which makes it really important for them. I thought we weathered the storm pretty good, got the first goal, but then just couldn’t sustain the pressure and they were able to capitalize on a few chances.”

On how “strange” it was to not have Dustin Brown on the ice:
“It’s been a while since we didn’t play together. It’s a little strange, but you pretty much have to work with what you’ve got. Did we miss him? Yeah, he’s one of our top players and one of the leaders on the team, but it is what it is.”

On whether the recent road play is a concern heading towards the playoffs:
“No. I mean, once the playoffs start it’s a totally different story. Obviously it’s not encouraging to throw away points like that late in the year, but regardless – winning games, not winning games, we’re going to have to get to a whole different level during the playoffs. We all know that.”

On the confidence that the team can get to that level:
“I mean, it’s no secret what we have to do and which things make us more successful when you’re on the ice. We know what we’ve got to do, and it’s a matter of going out and doing it.”

On what encourages him and what worries him at this point of the season:
“It’s not very good going into the playoffs with a losing streak, so the last home game’s going to be that much more important. We’re going to have to get ready. We’re going to have to get focused again, and we’ll go from there.”

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