On whether Los Angeles’ postseason offensive production has been “surprising”:
I think I’d be lying to you if I said it wasn’t surprising, but come playoffs it kind of seems like this team has that second, third effort that you need to score goals this time of year. They don’t come easy. They come with guys beating guys on second efforts. We have a team that doesn’t give up and a team that is able to give those efforts to get those goals. [Reporter: It’s Dustin Brown time of year and a Mike Richards time of year.] It’s an everybody time of year, just exactly what I said.
On having chemistry when skating with Jarret Stoll and Dustin Brown:
I think chemistry this year is overrated. I think coach does exactly what he feels his players are doing. If he feels like they’re on their game, he’s going to put them out there a little more. He’s going to have a great feel for the game, because he does and he’ll move guys around accordingly.
On the importance of winning the first game of the series:
I don’t know how important. I mean we lost the first three last round. It’s obviously important for us seeing as we don’t feel like we played a great game and still came out on top, which is huge for us. We’re going to push for that next game and come out firing early.
On the atmosphere of Game 1 in Anaheim:
I thought the atmosphere was great. A lot of times when you’re on the road, all you want to hear is silence. But there wasn’t even much silence when we scored, there were a lot of Kings fans there and a lot of support for us. That was an extra added element to the game. Usually when you score an overtime goal it’s crickets in the building. We heard a little something, so Kings fans are making their way down the freeway.
On what Los Angeles can improve in its own game:
I thought our puck management wasn’t great. I didn’t think our forecheck was great. I think all around, everyone has areas to improve on and myself, personally, also.
On how the forwards can help the defense when they are down a defenseman:
When you’re down to five D, you need to make sure your defensemen can get line changes. That comes from forwards getting the puck in and recognizing when your defensemen are tired, because they were warriors last night. They played unbelievable. You could tell they were in the reserve tank trying to find what was left, and they did an awesome job for us.
On Anze Kopitar’s play in the playoffs:
I think it’s pretty standard. It’s pretty standard Kopitar. I expect that. Everyone expects that. He expects that of himself. He’s a guy who isn’t going to have a lull after when he has a great game. He’ll come back and keep fighting and that’s professionalism and that’s how he’s come of age as a hockey player.
On the matchup of Anze Kopitar against Ryan Getzlaf:
It seemed like they were against each other quite a bit out there. Both tremendous players, one is up for the Selke, one is up for the Hart – kind of both ends of the spectrum.
On Anze Kopitar being the leading scorer in the playoffs:
Sure, he’s a prime example of your best offense is a good defense. He’s getting chances because he’s a great checker and a great competitor.
On how the acquisition of Marian Gaborik compares to the acquisition of Jeff Carter:
I’ll let you know if we go all the way. I said earlier, he’s fit in tremendously with our hockey club. Not just on the ice scoring goals, but off the ice too. The things he does to be part of the team and his personality, it all fits really well.
On the advantage of being able to stay in Southern California for the series:
Of course, we played St. Louis in the first round last year and it was a five hour trip home. This is a 30 minute drive on a five o’clock game. You’re in bed before 10 o’ clock, it’s a piece of cake.
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