On the team’s new line combinations at practice:
“You know what? Quite honest, last night as the game went on we used a lot of different guys. I was trying to get something going, generate a little bit more out of some of our top guys.”
On Anze Kopitar alluding to his line not playing up to its capability:
“Well, I think quite honest as a line they’ve struggled for two series, if you look at it. [Reporter: What do you think Clifford will bring up there?] I’m not sure that’s where he’s playing, but quite honest I think we need four lines with some balance, because really other than Richie and Jeff, we really haven’t been able to play anybody – not so much play together, but give us a little bit of energy and continuity.”
On the team trying to spend less time in its own zone:
“Last night…it was the first period. I mean, the third period – we’ve done that, if you look at the last three games. They’ve been really good early, and we’ve been really good late if you look at it. That’s not as much of a factor as getting a bigger contribution through your lineup.”
On the Brown-Kopitar-Williams line not generating consistent scoring opportunities:
“Well, it’s natural their chances are going to go down because they’re either going to play against top players, or they’re going to draw top defensemen. That’s natural. But at the same time, that is a part of playoffs, is understanding that and sort of fighting through that.”
On the positive responses in the St. Louis series, and whether the current series feels like “a grind”:
“I think it’s the very same. I don’t see any difference in it. It’s not the home-road thing, anyway., You’re just thinking about tomorrow’s game, because again, you’ve got two days off. Quite honest, the two days helped us before quite honest the way we played in the third last night. But if you look at it, the teams that have scored the first goals, that’s a tough series to score in. The score is now eight-seven, four games in – and we’re winning eight-seven.”
On Matt Greene’s performance in Game 4:
“I think Greener [had] a little trouble with pace early. Compete kept him in it, and then I think his game went on and he played better, which was refreshing to see. As I said after the game, somebody asked, I said ‘Hey, it was good not to see him hobble off.’”
On the team’s role players keeping the team “on track” and “making simple plays”:
“Yep, that’s what role players do. Both teams’ role players do that. I mean, it’s not like top players. Brown’s a role player. Galiardi’s a role player. Just go through it, do it all.”
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