On several players saying that the Kings were done in by a poor start:
No, I don’t think it was a bad start, I think a penalty late in the first and two penalties early in the second [made an impact]. Giroux makes a great play on the first goal, and it’s one-nothing. That’s going to happen. But I think the penalty late and then two early in the second…the one thing that they thrive on, even though they’ve struggled, is their power play. Trying to kill three in a row there makes the difference between one and two. And the power play goal is not a great goal. It’s a bad play by a young defenseman, and it’s not a great goal. That’s two, and it’s tough.
On whether he has considered putting Jeff Carter with Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli:
Carter’s actually playing quite well. I think when we split ‘em up it’s because we went on a long trip and Tanner and Tyler had a lot of heavy lifting on the road and couldn’t handle it. If you look at our schedule, we are going on the road for five in a row, and without Gaborik also, I don’t think that it’s to try and get Jeff going or that Jeff’s struggling. Jeff probably had four, for sure, off the top of my mind, Grade-A chances tonight. That’s not who he’s playing with. That’s putting her in the basket.
On whether Marian Gaborik will “stay behind”:
It’s the same all along with Gabby. He’ll tell us tomorrow if he thinks – I’m way past all that. When somebody tells me they’re ready to play, then I guess they’re ready to play.
On Steve Mason “playing like a magician”:
We didn’t get a lot through to him. A lot of really good chances that we had were either blocked or didn’t get all the way there. I don’t think it was goaltending that beat us.
On how to avoid getting shots blocked:
I think changing angles, and once in a while you’ve got to peek a little. We do a pretty good job of that. Everybody does. I think tonight – I’m just guessing – but I know they had a lot more blocks than we did. Hits and blocking shots are still a big part of the game.
On how often he looks at the standings:
Every night before I go to bed and every morning when I get up. And that’s a fact. [Reporter: What do you see?] It’s a playoff race…Everybody starts at zero, and you’ve got to get there as quick as you can. You’ve got to get as many points as you can. There’s only eight that have any chance to do something special in the middle of April. Try and be always one of eight.
On whether the Kings have received “a boost” since Alec Martinez’s return:
I think Marty’s played really well all three games. I think he’s stood out to me, for sure.
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