April 2 postgame quotes: Alec Martinez

On feeling a sense of relief by clinching a playoff spot:
Not really, I think we just focused on playing well tonight. Obviously Phoenix is a desperate team right now and points are big. I don’t think that it’s really good to think about stuff like that. I just go out and focus, and focus on your game and try to play along.

On the victory:
I think the difference between tonight and [the last game against Phoenix,] obviously we held that lead in the third. That was a big focus. I thought we played a full 60 minutes. We had contributions from special teams, that was huge. I thought we played pretty well defensively with obviously good goaltending, but it seems like we get that every night.

On the early goal giving them momentum:
Obviously in a game like this, and at home, you want to get some momentum. The first goal is really important and then obviously the second to follow it up is even more. I think momentum is a big thing. You want to have the lead going back into the room after the first and we did that tonight.

On being paired with Drew Doughty on the power play:
Well yeah, I love it. How can you not love playing with those four guys? Between Jeff Carter ,who has one of the best wristers in the league, and Kopi who is one of the best centers. Dewey is the best D-man and then you have Gaborik who is fitting in pretty nicely. They’re four really good players and I try to get some shots on the net. I think that’s why I’m on it, just to make plays and get shots through.

On being surprised by his recent offensive surge:
Well, I mean I’m a good hockey player. I’m a good defenseman. I guess every guy as an athlete or a player expects more. I don’t know, for whatever reason they’re dropping right now. Obviously I’ve said it a million times before, that I think I’m just the benefactor of other guys playing well and the team playing well. For whatever reason, they’re going in. It’s like I give a pass to Gaborik today and that’s a pretty easy pass, probably not many guys in the league who can’t do that, and then he makes a helluva play like he did and Kopi has that great shot. Points seem to come in bunches. Sometimes you’re playing well and you’re not getting them. Sometimes you’re not playing well and you’re still getting them. I’d say that I’m just the benefactor of the team playing well.

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