May 28 postgame quotes: Darryl Sutter

On Justin Williams being a big game player:
“Yep. I think Game 7s – Justin Williams.”

On whether there was a turning point in the second point that turned the game around:
“Not really.”

On whether there’s anything that Jonathan Quick does that still amazes him:
“He made some big saves tonight, as did Niemi.”

On whether Dustin Brown skating with Kopitar and Williams was due to a Kyle Clifford injury:
“No, I think it was more getting Lewie back on the wing, putting Brad at center and moving Brownie from right to left just to try and [respond to] who they were playing, what they were doing.”

On how the 60-minute performance compared to that of Game 5:
“Well, I think the most important part of the series that has been well documented is the team that scores the first goal is the team that won the series, that won games, and that was the same tonight. So in terms of turning points or special players or anything like that I think both teams are going to say ‘one team lost and one team won’ and we scored the first goal and we were able to find a way.”

On how good the San Jose Sharks were:
“They’re as good as us. It’s a low-scoring series. It’s crazy. What was it? 14-to? What’d it end up? 14-10. So when you do it, it’s 2-to-1.4 or whatever. [Reporter: It’s a 2-1 league in the playoffs.] Really, like when you do it, that’s how close it is. So what’s the difference? Point-whatever that is. That’s the difference. And one game is overtime, one goal is an empty net goal. Look at it. Four 2-1 games? Two shutouts. Crazy. It reminds me of another Game 7, that Stanley Cup Finals I was in that we lost. Tampa Bay beat us 2-1 in Game 7, and I think we outscored them in that series 12-10, something like that. I give both teams lots of credit. Tough to win and tough to lose.”

On Justin Williams being a player who comes through in big games:
“Yep, and it’s good to see it too, because it’s a confidence thing for them. His game is about scoring and offense, and when he doesn’t, then there’s parts of him that sag. It’s always good to see. Quite honest, you think of the number of guys that have been in big games on both teams that played really well tonight…Don’t forget both goalies, too, how they’ve been in big games. Niemi hasn’t been talked much about. Jonathan is the goalie on a defending team, but remember Niemi was a big part of a Stanley Cup in Chicago, too.

On rooting for Detroit to beat Chicago, considering the Kings have won 14 in a row at home:
“Regular season doesn’t mean screw-all to me, quite honest.”

On the team growing stronger as the game progressed:
“I think we were competing as hard as we could and we tried to start the game with a full tank and I think we had some guys that were on empty at the end.”

On whether the adversity in the first round helped the team in the second round:
“I think every team that makes the playoffs goes through a lot of adversity. That’s the only thing you get from the regular season. To win a round you’ve got to go through adversity. I know you’re a little bit taken by surprise this year because you think the team should win every game we play. But it doesn’t happen like that very often ever, ever.”

On how close this year’s team is to last year’s team:
“Not close yet. Not even half close. Jeez, you know that’s the thing depends on the winner [of Chicago-Detroit], when you start. Either way – what are they saying? [Reporter: Friday if it’s Detroit]. Friday at home if it’s Detroit. Saturday if it’s Chicago. So either way, we’re practicing and traveling. Practicing and-or traveling Thursday…Gotta get a hotel room. Gotta get an airplane. [Reporter: Don’t forget your glasses.] Hope for three overtimes.”

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