May 17 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter

On what “pleases” him the most about reaching the Western Conference Final:
I guess that we finished two division rivals off. I mean, pleasing in playoff time is when you win. That’s basically what it’s about.

On the Kings’ fundamentals being important at this time of the year:
I think execution in our game is the way it breaks down, because it’s not like you’re stopping a play and calling a play or anything like that. It’s a good way of putting it – fundamental execution. [Reporter: And your club is executing pretty well right now.] It’s been hit and miss, but it’s been good enough to beat – hey, I just look at last night. I mean, we beat a really good hockey club, a team that when you beat ‘em, you almost feel bad for ‘em, because they’ve had the resolve for two years during the regular season. They just haven’t been able to quite get through in the playoff time.

On “energy” helping the Kings during the quick turnaround between series:
I’m not sure about the energy part of it, but I know how we handle losses and how we handle wins, and how we handle travel, so you know they’re going to be honest in their preparation, and we can trust that part of it. It’ll be certainly about putting forth their best effort, I know that.

On how the series is affected by two days between Games 1, 2 and 3:
I couldn’t tell you.

On any surprise over the Blackhawks’ defensive success in the postseason:
They’re the defending Stanley Cup Champion. It does not surprise you. They have three or four of their best position by position in the world on their team, and that’s why they’re the defending champion. They finished with whatever seed they were – they had 108 or 109 points – but they played two weeks longer than everybody in this conference, too, last year. That’s all that matters. They know how to win, and I think we do, too. It’ll be a good series, I think.