October 25 practice quotes: Darryl Sutter

On the Columbus Blue Jackets:
They have a good work ethic and they have a good skill set, and they’re very well coached.

On whether there are aspects of the Kings’ game that he’d like to “clean up”:
I think from a structure standpoint we’ve gotten a lot better as we’ve gone along now. We’re looking for guys to play better. We’re seven games in. We had a plan coming in how we’d structure training camp and a plan how to handle this home stretch, and then we go on the road, so we’ve done that really well. But now we need guys to take the next step.

On a string of quality special teams performances:
Our power play won us three games in a row. The big thing with penalty killing is fewer penalties is best in this league. Power plays run hot, so more power plays are better. It affects so much of the momentum during games. It’s not scoring on them. I’m not changing my philosophy on power plays. Power plays score you big goals, and if you look at the last three games, the W’s are big power play goals. [Reporter: With the games that they’ve been able to capitalize on scoring goals, is there anything different, like are the entries going in the zone better, are they shooting the puck better, are they shooting the puck quicker? I know if the puck goes in it makes the difference, but do you see anything different happening?] More traffic in front of the net. [All that’s] ingrained in my mind is the last game, and Tanner Pearson standing in the blue paint on both goals, and on the second goal, Kopi’s going to the net. Power plays that get opportunities by going to the net instead of going away from the net are usually ones that they demonstrate work to the rest of your group.

On what he is looking for from the King-Kopitar-Brown line:
Playing against other teams top lines. [Reporter: Three guys who can possess the puck in the offensive zone, work along the boards.] We want all three to shoot pucks better. I’m not taking too much from one game. All three have to take more shots. Kopi had four shots last game and he got a goal. The other two guys, you do it. How many shots have they had? So unless it hits them in the ass, it’s going to have trouble going in, and if it hits you in the ass and goes in, you have to go to the blue point. So I wouldn’t be talking too much about what they have to do together. We’re talking about trying to get players going.

On Alec Martinez’s 12 shot attempts versus Buffalo:
Yeah, Marty’s been really good at that right from day one. Attempts – I mean, it’s something we’re trying to get our defense to do more of.

On whether the LED lighting inside Staples Center has improved:
You know, the guys haven’t talked about it as much, Helene, as they did earlier. As I said, the light on the ice they were fine with. What they were having trouble with was it was so dark behind the glass that losing [sight]- [Reporter: Right, the pucks would pop up.] Yeah. Guys haven’t talked about it, so maybe they’re just more comfortable with it. Maybe playing more, too. I haven’t noticed it as much, either, so that’s probably what it is. You’re probably more used to it. Because earlier I did really notice it. [Reporter: It’s funny, people seeing it for the first time, it’s a dramatic change.] And I’m not sure how many buildings – they said there are two or three that are using it now – so I’m sure that it’s coming. As long as it’s full, I’m not worried about the lights.

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