Joe Thornton on LA Kings’ changes

Conversation with Sharks captain Joe Thornton following the team’s morning skate earlier today…

On the Kings regular season versus post season:

“Yeah they’re a lot tougher during the post-season at home. For whatever reason, they just come out strong, and play hard for 60 minutes.

On why he is playing such a good game:

“You just got to really enjoy playing this time of the year. I think Burnsie (Brent Burns) and Gallie (TJ Galiardi), have to give them a lot of credit. They’ve been skating real well, so just forcing me to skate with them right now.”

On how much attention he pays to the Kings’ line changes:

“Nothing really. As far as I’m concerned they have 12 good forwards. They can play with anybody. You just got to be ready to match up against them. I think they have a lot of skill and lot of scoring through us up front. Whatever lines are on, they’re going to be dangerous, whoever they’re playing with.”

On playing against Drew Doughty:

“He’s just a great defensive player. He skates well, he shoots well. He has great agility. You think you’re going to go and block a shot, but he just shimmy shakes you, and looks you off. He just is a great defense man.”

On if it’s been easier to play this post-season, without high expectations, compared to previous years:

“I don’t know, going to two Conference Finals there in three years. We just have a lot of guys who have a lot of playoffs matches and a lot of tough series. This year we’re just going in like we have in the past and just trying to move onto the next series and just trying to win the next game.”

On if there is a different vibe with the Sharks this year:

“It’s the same. We got to two Conference Finals in three years. So it’s a pretty good vibe in here.”

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