Game 7 morning skate – Joe Thornton on the pressure of tonight

Comments from Sharks captain Joe Thornton following the team’s morning skate at Staples Center in advance of tonight’s Game 7 vs. the Kings…

On if playing a Game 7 is any different then the rest:

“I don’t think in the playoffs. Every game is so important, it’s just one more important game to get to your goal.”

On how to win tonight:

“We just have to score. We haven’t scored here in two games. So, we need to get the power play going. Get our 5-on-5 game going. But just score some goals here.”

On the importance of scoring the first goal:

“Yeah, I think both teams rely heavily on their goal tenders so I think getting that first goal kind of calms both benches down. Yeah, I think 70% in the playoffs who score the first goal, that team wins. So it’s going to be huge for us tonight.”

On if there is any pressure to win:

“Well, we just feel confident. There’s always pressure, but you don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself. But just go out and play hard, and see what happens on the end of the night.”

On the team messing around and making fun of each other during morning practice:

“We’ve been like that all year long. When guys play good is when they’re loose, and we’ll keep loose as long as we can.”

On if it is a looser year than in the past:

“No, every rooms been loose. It’s a lot of fun to play this part, let me tell you.”

On it being a fun season:

“This team really does just have a lot of fun with each other. We’re really enjoying this time that we’ve had and just want to continue  it after tonight.”

On if the Kings not playing a Game 7 since 2002 is an advantage:

“I don’t think so, I don’t think so. It’s a veteran team over there. I don’t really think if you’ve played in 10 game sevens or 0 it doesn’t really matter. Just, you know, you got to go and play a game and see what happens.”

On Darryl Sutter’s comment that Game 7 doesn’t matter, it’s just about winning the 4th game of the series:

“Yeah, it doesn’t matter. Just another important game in the postseason and just happens to be be the seventh game, that’s all.”

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