Despite out-shooting the Kings 42-26, which was also the most shots LA has given up to any opponent this season, the Panthers lost 2-1 on Thursday night…and it was the seventh straight time the Kings have downed the Panthers, dating all the way back to November 5, 2003.
Although the two teams rarely play each other, it was an extremely physical game, especially after Mike Richards was roughed up by Sean Bergenheim late in the second period (something we’ll get into with quotes from the Kings locker room later – video available here though). LA ended up out-hitting Florida 45-18 in the game.
Afterwards, here’s what they were saying in the Panthers dressing room…
Coach Kevin Dineen on the overall game – “We thoroughly outplayed them. They were trying to run around and chase us and hack us and slash us. When you are getting outplayed as badly as they were that’s the response. We walk out of here feeling very good about the way we played and we move forward from there.”
Dineen on the goaltending – “(It) was a strong point at both ends of the ice. There was plenty of opportunities and their goalie [Jonathan Quick] certainly got them a couple of points and Theo [goalie Jose Theodore] gave us every chance to win.”
Dineen on the physicality – “We didn’t need to get physical. All they were trying to do was crosscheck and they let a lot of things go late in the game. When you are outplaying a team by a wide margin you stick with what was working for you and they had a real tough time handling our speed.”
Florida forward Stephen Weiss on the overall game – “We had great chances all night. Like I said before, it was one of our better efforts but they just weren’t going in for us tonight.”
Weiss on the goaltending – “They [the goalies] were both awesome. Theo [Jose Theodore] was fantastic again for us. He kept us in it when he had to and obviously their goalie played well as well and made some big saves and we didn’t have the answer for them.”
More from the Kings locker room up soon.
In the meantime, click here to read what LA coach Terry Murray had to say about coaching against Dineen prior to the game.
More Panthers related articles are also linked below.
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