March 17 postgame quotes: Phoenix

Dave Tippett, on Phoenix’s comeback:
Well, we just got back to playing like we were in the first. In the first we came out, we were skating. Other than that early power play they got where they generated some chances, I thought we played very well. The second period we came out, we just had too many weak links in our lineup. Not enough people bearing down on loose pucks. Not enough compete in one-on-one battles and got on our heels and took some penalties and let them back in the game. But the third period, I thought we got it turned back our way. Pucks went deep and we had people going to the net hard. Some people competed very, very hard for us and we were able to pull out a win.

Tippett, on the review of the game winning goal:
We have a headset on the bench there. So we got a good call on it from our video room here from our video guy that said the puck was in. You’re just hoping for the right call there.

Tippett, on his players who helped get the win:
Those guys, people like Vermette, Korpikoski and Michalek. When you get inside situations like this, when you need things done to win a game, they’re people that get it done for you. [Reporter: What did Martin Hanzal do for you tonight?] Really strong, I was very surprised. Pleasantly surprised, for missing as much time as he had, he came out and was a real strong player for us.

Tippett, on the game:
It’s hard to hold leads in the game right now. I mean there are penalties, it’s too competitive. We got a lead on a couple fortunate shots. They had four or five great chances and didn’t score. So you have to stay with the game all the way through. I was disappointed with our second period. Like I said, we didn’t have enough people compete at the level we needed to, but the first and third we found ways to get things done.

Shane Doan, on coming from behind to beat Los Angeles:
Well it’s huge. I know how good they are here. They have such a great blue line and they have so many good forwards. Obviously their record, I think it was pretty much perfect. It’s big for us to find points in regulation even.

Doan, on moving into the eighth spot in the conference with the win:
It’s always nice to be there. We know Dallas has games in hand, but at the same time you have to do your best to keep winning. Everything you can to put pressure on them and keep trying to find points.

Doan, on the line of Martin Hanzal, Antoine Vermette, and Rob Klinkhammer:
Marty and Vervy were probably, with Klink, were probably our best line. They created so many chances and they had opportunities. Obviously, getting that first goal, getting us on the board, that was huge. Marty is such a big part of our team.

Doan, on being a desperate team:
We were in dire straits heading into the third and the fact that you have to find points every night. You’re down to 13, 14 games left. So that was big. You look around the league and you’re watching the scoreboards already and there are still 13 games left. We just have to take care of the next one now.

Mike Smith, on possibly missing the game due to illness:
It was a possibility. I was a little off this morning. Something hit me last night and this morning I woke up and was still feeling not so well. Took the morning to kind of regroup and felt well enough to play after my nap this afternoon.

Smith, on if he knew Jeff Halpern’s game winning goal was in:
I didn’t. No, I was just as surprised. A couple of guys said they knew it went in, but I had no idea. I was giving kudos to Quick for that save he made on Doaner after. It was quite a combination of saves, even though it did cross the line obviously. I was just blown away by that combination.