October 8 postgame quotes: Sutter, Kopitar, Doughty

Darryl Sutter, on his assessment of players that came back like Doughty, Kopitar, Muzzin:
I’m glad Muzz played back-to-backs and I’m glad Kopi and Drew played tonight. I think they’re probably really happy with their games but you’ve got to play the games too. A lot of those extended shifts those guys were out there. The only way you can learn to manage that is to play the game. They were good.

Sutter, on where the team wants to be by Wednesday:
We’re still really figuring out who’s playing where just because of the injuries and obviously with the roster, too, a lot of that’s going to come down too. There’s tough decisions. Some of these kids have had really good camps and obviously now it comes down to cap and management and where guys are best suited for time and all that. I was really happy with our camp overall. Heck, this is the best game we played tonight and I really don’t have any complaints.

Sutter, on Setoguchi playing alongside Kopitar:
I think was his best game tonight. … It’s not like we solved something in training camp. Hey, we’ve got some injuries and suspension and it’s an issue. Who’s going to play left wing with Kopi? … We moved Teddy over to play left wing in place of Tanner’s place tonight and he looked comfortable as the game went on but it’s hard to switch like that and it’s going to be an issue. Thankfully have guys like Kopi, Jeff, that really they’re easy guys to play with and you’ve got to take advantage of the opportunities so, you know, asking about Devin, I’m still in the mode of I think he … still has the ability to play in the NHL and just see what everybody else thinks.

Anze Kopitar, on how he felt getting back into a game after the World Cup:
Felt good. It’s just kind of a chippy game out there. I don’t think there was a lot of possession either way. I think it was a lot of, like I said, chippiness in the neutral zone and then it’s kind of hard to get going but other than that I felt good. Legs felt good. So that was kind of what I was looking for.

Kopitar, on playing with Setoguchi:
Well obviously we didn’t have a whole lot of offensive zone time, as much as we wanted to. Had some chances but it’s hard. We didn’t really practice together or anything. You know the kind of player he is but obviously it takes a little bit of time to create that chemistry and know where he’s going to be on the ice. In that regard … definitely the timing was off.

Kopitar, on if the preseason was a little strange not being with the Kings:
Definitely. I’ve played I think, what is this my 14th game? So I’m in game mode already so I’m definitely not afraid of that but yeah, it’s a little bit weird not being with the guys that you’re normally used to but now it all starts obviously on Wednesday and we’re looking towards that.

Kopitar, on the game overall:
We played a decent game. The last minute or the last two minutes of regulation we’ve just got to make better plays, that’s the bottom line. Overtime it was a couple turnovers and it’s in the back of our net so I think we can definitely sharpen up with both of those plays and should be fine going into Wednesday.

Kopitar, on the final Frozen Fury:
This was my 11th one. I’ve always enjoyed coming here. It’s always been great; great atmosphere. I still think to this day this is probably the best exhibition game ever played.

Drew Doughty, on how it felt to get back into a game:
I felt good. It was a good game. I thought that we actually played pretty good. We probably should have got the two points, we shouldn’t have let them tie it up at the end there but I thought the boys played well.

Doughty, on T-Mobile Arena:
It’s a nice rink. It’s really bright in there which I think is key. And when the fans got loud it was rumbling in there, so yeah, it’s a great rink and looking forward to coming here to play against Vegas.

Doughty, on if it’s a weird feeling that the season is right around the corner:
I’m happy to get ‘er going. I know the boys have worked really hard throughout exhibition and stuff. … I was obviously working hard down at the Worlds too but you look forward to coming back and seeing all the guys. I didn’t see a majority of the guys all summer so really look forward to spending time with them and winning hockey games and hopefully get another championship.

Doughty, on the final Frozen Fury:
I really enjoyed Frozen Fury every time we came here. I always had a ton of fun and I know the fans love it too which is important for us too, but it’s too bad it’s come to an end but I’m sure we’ll come back for a few exhibition games some point down the road.