Doughty: “I’ll be playing the exact same as usual”

On whether he’ll have to make any adjustments:
No, I will play my normal game. I play physical in the D-zone and I’m going to continue to do that. That’s part of my game. That’s part of my natural game. I love to compete. I don’t like to get out-competed, so there is no way I’m going into those corners soft thinking I might get hurt. I’ll be playing the exact same as usual.

On the familiarity between the teams making for an exciting series:
Yeah, I think both of our teams are very, very good teams. I think we could’ve met later down the road no problem if we weren’t facing each other right now. I think we’re two of the best teams in the Western Conference. Because we do play each other, we know exactly what to expect. We know each and every single player on that team. We know exactly how they play and what they do. Both teams are going to be very, very prepared for this series and it just comes down to who wants it more and who is going to out-compete the other team.

On what type of team atmosphere he looks for at the beginning of a series:
Just going into the series knowing we can beat the team. I think that’s important. I know every single one of us in here believe that we can win this series and that we’re a better team. That’s what you need. You need to be excited to play this team with this rivalry building. We are excited to play this team and we want nothing more than to beat them every single game and beat them handily. We know that’s not going to be possible. It’s going to be tough to do. The boys are ready to go. We’re just excited. The pre-game skate there…everyone was flying, everyone was having a lot of fun. That’s exactly what you want going into it.

On what has changed with the team since winning the Stanley Cup:
Just the guys that have kind of been in the organization, they’ve had to step up. Like you said, Scuds is gone and Muzz stepped up. He’s playing unbelievable and I loved playing with him. Obviously, I miss Scuds at certain times but Muzz is filling his shoes just perfectly and he has a lot of upside. Obviously getting Gabby, now we have one of the best natural goal scorers in the NHL and he’s going to put pucks in the net for us and that’s what we need. That first line is clicking together. So I think that first line is stronger for sure, than it was back a few years ago. We’ve got some of those young guys like Toffoli and stuff who are just stepping up to the plate. They’re going to come up big. They’re big game players and I know he’s really relishing this opportunity.

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