February 3 postgame quotes: Darryl Sutter

On how the room has dealt with frustration:
I think that we have a handful of guys that are frustrated with their own games.

On the positives the team can take from tonight’s game:
I think we battled back against the Stanley Cup champions after being down two-nothing.

On whether it helps the team’s confidence that they scored three goals:
Yeah, I think that the guys that are playing well are confident guys. I think Kopi and Jeff continue to lead us in that area.

On the “best thing” he sees with one game remaining before the Olympic break:
We’ve got one game left. [Reporter: Is that a good thing right now?] You plan on playing your best game of the year.

On whether the team could use a break mentally:
Yeah, I’m sure every team going on the break is going to say that. We’re not special. [Reporter: Considering the streak here of the lack of wins that you expect, is it a good time for the break?] Again, you guys always want to go back. I always look ahead, right? We’re as close to winning as we are to losing, so that’s how I deal with it.

On whether the team experienced challenges defensively:
Not really. We couldn’t sustain that level of play of the Stanley Cup champions. Clearly, they were four lines deep. We were two.

On what he told the team during the first intermission:
We had a good first period. I mean, the referees controlled the first period. So you’re down what you are, but there was nothing wrong with our play, our performance. [Reporter: You’re just trying to stay out of the box whichever way, right?] Well, I think both teams could say that after the first period. Both teams scored power play goals.

On the players claiming that Sunday was a good day to “recharge the batteries”:
Sure. It was evident. Not so much the energy, but the emotional level, for sure.

On Tyler Toffoli playing with Jeff Carter and Anze Kopitar:
You know, when you’re struggling to score, you’re trying to find some continuity or a little bit of guys that are able to sustain it together. So, you know what? Tyler’s moved over to that side and has done a good job with Jeff and Kopi…Stolly’s line has been a heavy forecheck line for us. Whoever goes there, we need some of those guys who are known not for scoring but…scoring’s the end result for ‘em. I mean, those guys can be better players for us. [Reporter: He’s holding up his end on the defensive side, too.] Yeah, I think Kopi and Jeff and Tyler were a puck possession team. Puck possession line tonight, that’s for sure.

On whether he changes his approach with the team’s frustration:
Hey, there’s a handful of guys – you’ve got to coach ‘em up, but at the same time, they’re not young guys. They’re veteran guys. Guys are having a hard time right now, so whether that’s the schedule or just where they’re at with their own games, that’s something that you deal with themselves, for sure.