Although the Kings players were given a much deserved day off today, three guys were made available for a media conference call. We’ve already posted full comments from Dustin Penner and Mike Richards. Now, here’s what Drew Doughty had to share…
On how he is feeling today:
“Yeah, it’s huge to get this couple days here in between to start focusing on our next opponent, but most importantly, get some rest. We have some guys that are banged up and it’s just something you have to play through in playoff hockey. So, it’s a good thing to get some rest.”
On if he is rooting for Detroit to get home ice advantage:
“That’s probably the best case scenario, to get the home ice advantage. We love playing at home, we’ve played great at home, and we use the energy of the crowd. So, we would love to play (Detroit). But, I’m comfortable with whoever we play that we’ll step up to the plate.”
On if he can continue to play 28 minutes per game for the remainder of the playoffs:
“Yeah, of course. That’s what we used the lockout for. We trained hard, we got in shape, and now during this season we’ve been playing every other day, we’re just used to it. I for sure can play that 28 minutes. I love playing that much. I feel the more I play, the better I play. So whatever they do, if they bring my minutes down, I’ll still play the same way.”
On coming into the season this year weighing less and what he’s done the past few months:
“Right now I feel great. At the start of the season, with such a long time off actually playing in games, it was tough to kind of get ready. So you just have to get the conditioning going, that’s all you can really do. Now, throughout the season, I’ve put on a little more weight, it feels better. Down low, I can make hits and be physical with guys in the corners and that’s where I feel comfortable.”
On if there’s a different feel on defense this year than last season:
“Well, it’s definitely a different group. I don’t know think it’s really a different feel. Obviously we’re missing a lot in Mitchie (Willie Mitchell), he’s an unbelievable player. At the same time, we got Reg (Robyn Regehr) at the deadline and he’s a great player, great defensively. The young guys, Slava (Slava Voynov) has been playing unbelievable and Muzz (Jake Muzzin) I think has been playing great as well. So, we feel great about our group. It’s different without Mitchie for sure, but we’re still really confident in the group of guys we have and we expect to continue to keep playing well.”
On getting Matt Greene back:
“Matt’s great. Not only is he great on the ice every night and works the hardest and plays hard, but in the room he’s a great guy to have. He’s vocal and always getting guys pumped up for the game and telling guys where they need to be if they’re doing something wrong. He’s great at doing that and it’s huge to have him back.”
On if he notices any change in Darryl Sutter’s voice and/or approach with that team:
“No, I haven’t really noticed a difference. I haven’t at all. I don’t really know what to say about that one, I haven’t noticed a difference.”
On Robyn Regehr coming to the Kings at the right time:
“Yeah, he’s been great for us. Especially at that point, I think Greener (Matt Greene) was out still. We needed that defensive presence and that physical guy. For the most part, our D -core wasn’t the most physical, we were more good passers and stuff like that. We didn’t have that physical presence. So, bringing him in, he’s helped that a lot. Hes been a great guy to have, we all love him and he’s a big part to where we are right now.”
On if he’s watched the replay of Jonathan Quick’s save on Joe Pavelski:
“Yeah, I saw it on the jumbotron during the game. That’s just a great save, that’s Quickie. He won Conn Smythe last year and I was saying to a couple guys yesterday that he makes better saves than I think he did all playoffs and last year. He’s just been standing on his head for us. It’s great to have him do that, but I think we have to back him up a little more. He’s been having to make too many big saves.”
On how he would describe Darryl Sutter’s coaching technique:
“I think he demands the most out of every single one of his players. You know, you can do some great things, make some great plays and he’s always going to tell you when you did a great job. But at the same time, he doesn’t get mad at you if you’re working hard and playing physical and trying to do the right things. But, if he doesn’t feel you’re prepared for the game or not competing to your highest level, that’s when he gets mad at you and I think that’s the right thing. He let’s you know about it and that’s just his whole philosophy – if you’re ready for the game, the better prepared team always wins.”
On if he is going to talk to friend Logan Couture or wait for the softball tournament in July:
“Yeah, I’m not going to start chirping or anything just yet, we’ll waiting for the softball tournament Obviously he’s probably pretty upset so I’m not going to make it any worse.”
On if he talked to him during the handshake line:
“Yeah, just talked to him quickly and I talked to him a little bit after the game too. He was frustrated with the way the series turned out. He loves the game of hockey and he competes and he cares a lot, so he was pretty frustrated and rightfully so.”
On if there was team-wide satisfaction of beating the Sharks, who eliminated the Kings in 2011:
“You know, I kept thinking about that, especially last game. Not all the guys on the team witnessed that, but there’s a lot of us. Just remembering that we were up 4-0 or something like that and they came back and beat us in our building We were making sure that wasn’t going to happen again. I can still picture Joe (Thornton) getting that last goal and celebrating in the middle of the ice and that’s really why we wanted to beat them.”
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