On the shootout loss:
We hung in there and showed a lot of character and courage to come back after being down two-nothing. [ED: “after being down after two periods,” maybe?] It’s a tough building.
On how much the team missed Anze Kopitar:
A lot. Left-handed centerman. Didn’t have one in the lineup.
On Kyle Clifford’s five-minute major:
Oh, I totally agreed with it. It was a great call. I mean, I was surprised – I thought it’d be like a 10-minute power play. Even in today’s two-referee system, you’re just hoping for one really good one all the time.
On whether he liked the way the club battled back:
Yeah, that’s what I said. Both teams are coming off tough travel, back-to-back games. Travel home [for Winnipeg]. When you look at the end of it, we didn’t give up a five-on-five goal. You usually win those games.
On what has impressed him most about Peter Budaj:
I think just his composure. He’s an experienced guy. I’ve said it lots – we don’t give up a lot, but at the same time you’re required to make some big saves, also. That’s part of the NHL. At the end of the day, if you ask him, he’s probably going to want a couple of the shootouts back. Those are like breakaways.
On how Devin Setoguchi has fit in with the Kings:
I think he gives us an element of speed, and not just speed feet-wise, but speed in terms of being able to handle the puck, making good plays under pressure. He’s played pretty well for us.
On the importance of getting contributions from the fourth line and Jordan Nolan:
Actually, our fourth line had a five-minute major tonight and our fourth line had a two-on-one, didn’t get a shot, so they better contribute.
On why Setoguchi has been a good fit:
Hey, we don’t have a lot of offense. When Gabby got hurt, you look at our right side, it was a good fit for Devin. [Reporter: What does it say about him, the way he’s been able to battle back and get back into the NHL after what he went through?] It says a lot about a person. I’ve seen a lot of that – I’ve been in it for 30-something years, so I’m pretty familiar with lots of different issues off-ice with players. You always pull for those guys, you always try and help those guys.
On his choice of shooters in the shootout:
It’s a little bit of you think you know the goalie. Brownie’s a right shot. He’s got one shot that he likes. It was open if he hits it. Kinger’s been good in shootouts. He’s got a shot that he likes, he hit it and he scored. Dowd missed the net. Hits the net, and he’s got his hole.
On how Patrick Laine has changed the dynamic of Winnipeg’s lineup:
This is true – I was looking at him in the shootout, because you don’t have much time to pay attention to these players other than video – but I was looking at him in the shootout, I was looking at that stick. It reminded me of Teemu’s stick, and I coached Teemu, so you’re going, ‘ooh, OK. Here it comes.’ Hey, you know what? Those two kids, Scheifele and Laine have, coming into the game, between then, what is it? 21 goals and eight or nine on the power play … Those kids are really good players.
-stick tap to Lisa Dillman for audio
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