Kopitar, Williams talk Game 4, state of the series

Justin Williams, on having been in Chicago’s position:
We just know we don’t want to be in that position. Character comes out a lot more when your backs are against the wall and it’s win or go home. That’s why the games get harder every game you win. Going into Game 5 we’re obviously going to try our best to finish it off because we know we’re going to have as desperate a team as there is.

Williams, on whether Slava Voynov and Jake Muzzin are playing with more confidence:
They’re great players. They’ve played a lot of playoff games. Slava has played over 50 playoff games and been in the league only three years. He’s been battle-tested. Muzz is eating up a lot of minutes and playing hard, as well. When they’re out there, we know they’re going to play hard, they’re going to play strong. I know the Blackhawks know that, as well.

Williams, on how Gaborik has benefited the power play:
Well, he’s a threat. I think when any team is scouting us, they’re looking at the weapons out there. He’s one of the biggest ones, especially in the slot area where he gets a lot of his goals. Regardless if he gets the puck or not, they pay attention to him. If he doesn’t score, which doesn’t happen very often, someone else is going to have a great chance.

Williams, on the challenges presented by how close Los Angeles is to the Final:
I don’t think it’s hard at all. What is it, not to look ahead? Anyway, we’re not looking ahead. Chicago last year I believe were down 3-1 as well. Every team has been through experiences which make them better, especially Stanley Cup championship teams like Chicago and us. We’ve been through a lot. Persevered through a lot. They’re down 3-1. We’re trying to squash them. They’re trying to get some life.

Williams, on any surprise that Los Angeles opened up a 4-0 lead:
Scoring the first goal, it was the first time we did it. That was obviously our intent to come out. Shocked to be up 4-0? Absolutely. But that’s the way the game went. From there on I thought they pretty much took it to us five-on-five. That’s something we need to look at.

Williams, on how much Los Angeles has improved since the first round:
Well, winning the game doesn’t mean you played a flawless game. There’s a lot of things you can clean up. Winning the game means you just did a lot of things better than they did. So, you know, for us going forward, it’s certainly not even close to perfection. That’s what we strive for. You know it’s another great team out there, so you’re not going to get it. Our effort is always there. Our execution has been there. Winning a heck of a game.

Williams, on how long Game 5 in Chicago last season stuck with him:
Well, winning is tough. Sometimes you have to lose again to get that fire back. Last year stuck with me for a long time. Losing Game 5, we had the Cup, they knocked us out and took it. Obviously that’s on our minds. Knowing that a team got the better of us doesn’t sit well with me.

Anze Kopitar, on Darryl Sutter’s pre-game message:
Nothing new really. You know, it’s the same game plan. On top of that game plan, I guess it’s a good start. We were able to get a couple quick ones tonight. Certainly the start that we wanted. I think we got the crowd into it. The building was loud. It was good.

Kopitar, on the key to limiting Jonathan Toews:
With a player like that, the caliber, you just try to limit his time and space on the ice. He’s going to get chances and he’s going to make good plays. That’s just how it is. You want to just eliminate his chances off our mistakes. That’s really the way to go. Try to check him as good as we can.

Kopitar, on the cultivation of the team’s depth:
I think this time of the year you need that. I think we have four lines that can score, any given night can play against any line really. That’s the depth you need in the playoffs. We certainly have that in the room. Every single guy in that room who is in the lineup you know is giving their all. That’s what you need.

Kopitar, on the confidence the team is playing with:
I think we’re playing with a lot of confidence. At the same time, you know, we still realize, just like Justin said right now, they took it to us second half of the game. There’s certainly stuff that we can look at. We’ll have to improve for next game ’cause, you know, they’re going to be a desperate team. Their backs are against the wall. We expect their full effort and their full desperation, urgency, whatever you want to call it, in Game 5.

Kopitar, on the influence of Marian Gaborik on his own ability:
He just gives us a threat that we didn’t have in the past, at least in my seven years here, before he got here as a left shot, left winger. Just like Justin said, he’s a big threat on the power play, he’s the type of player that can burn you within a couple seconds with one move. He’s the guy that I think the other team definitely circles on the board before the game, has to look out for. I think, therefore, maybe I get a couple extra feet on the ice to operate with. Just trying to get him the puck, usually pretty safe bet that he’s going to put it in.

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