Doughty previews game against Lightning

Drew Doughty, on the limited margin for error in the playoff push:
It’s tough to do, but obviously we’re going to try to win every single game for the rest of the season. It’s almost impossible to happen, but we’re going to do everything we can. We need points, we need gain room on the standings and we need to get into a playoff spot. That’s the bottom line. We’re going to do whatever it takes.

Doughty, on whether he’s excited to face players like Alex Ovechkin and Steven Stamkos:
Oh yeah, for sure. I think I always enjoy playing other team’s top guys, especially when a guys like Ovechkin comes into town. Last game, I thought we had pretty good battles both games we played against each other. Now that Stammer has come in, it’s a guy I’ve known for a long time. Obviously he went ahead of me in the draft. Playing against him is always fun, it’s always a challenge. He’s a fantastic hockey player and I always look forward to these things.

Doughty, on whether the team is already in “playoff mode”:
Yeah, we have to be in playoff mode. We’re not in a playoff spot. We need to get points and we need to get on a roll and we’re doing a lot better job of that. But we can’t shy away from the fact that we still need more points and we’re going to keep doing it. [Reporter: Do you guys thrive on that?] Oh yeah. This is the most fun part of hockey right here. Game 25 to, whatever, 45 is kind of just a long stretch there. Then once it comes down to the end of the season when points matter, when playoffs are getting closer, it becomes fun. This is when our team plays the best.

Doughty, on whether he has noticed something different about the team recently:
No, well, yeah. The whole team, just as a whole, is playing better. Every line is line is playing better. We’re getting production from our fourth line, our third line. Every single line is producing and actually Kopi’s line has probably produced the least amount of those lines in the last couple games, which is a good sign. I think our D-pairings are playing better and Quickie has been playing great obviously, like usual. That’s what it takes, a full team effort.

Doughty, on whether he needed ice bags after the win over Washington:
Yeah, it was a tough one for me but it’s just part of the game really and something all the guys battle through every day, so just an everyday thing.