WCF: Blackhawks coach talks 4-2 win over LA Kings in Game 2

Following their 4-2 win over the visiting LA Kings in Game 2, here’s what Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville had to share…

Q. Coach, you talked about getting off to the fast start. Could it have been any faster?

“Yeah, I thought we had a real good start the first five minutes. They had the next five. I think we finished the rest of that period well. They were all good starting the second. I think we got a little bit loose with our game after that. But certainly put us in a real good spot.”

Q. Your defensive core, how much are they activating what you do right now?

“They’ve been quick in puck areas, they’ve been moving the puck, joining the attack, on the point in the offensive zone, complementing with our speed and forechecking. It’s one more option offensively. Seabs, exactly what we’re talking about, exactly illustrates that with a big shot, heck of a shot, heck of a goal.”

Q. You’ve been pretty dominant the first two games. Going into a building where they haven’t lost in the post-season, what is the message?

“We want to be excited. We’ll go on the plane tomorrow, get there. It’s going to be a hostile environment. We want to make sure our start is going to be very important, that we’re proactive in our game, and let’s do the right things.”

Q. When you see your goaltender help defend your captain, is that a good thing or…

“You know, things happen. Spontaneous combustion. Sometimes you can’t forecast or predict that stuff.”

Q. How has Saad’s play improved in the playoffs?

“I thought he had a heck of a game tonight. He was dangerous, a threat off the rush, had a lot of puck time. Made some nice plays, some nice moves. Play like that really complements our team game.”

Q. Can you talk about what Bryan Bickell has done the whole playoffs so far?

“Bick, you noticed him in the game, with his size, whether it’s on the forecheck with hits, getting to the front of net. He’s got a big shot, big size, and skates well. He does all the things you look for a forward to do. Power forward, talked about that earlier. Around the net, some of them, they’re going in for him. I know he was fortunate on that one, but he’s in the right spots.”

Q. With how hyped Jonathan Quick was coming into the series, are you surprised your team was able to chase him out of the game?

“Well, we had some nice shots. We had some high-quality stuff off the rush, as well, in that period. I still think that’s going to be an ongoing challenge with him. Some nights they go in. But I still think he’s a special goalie that we got to keep trying to — if we got the quality, we got the quality. But trying to make it quality by what we do has to be something we look for.”

Q. For the most part through the first two games, you’ve been able to dictate tempo and style of play. Is your speed game, transition game working the way you want it to?

“Yeah, I know when we make them play defense, it plays into our favor. We want to make sure because if you don’t get pucks in, you’re in your end the rest of the shift. We want to make sure making them turn, playing in their end, be it cleanly or indirectly, both teams, that’s their motivation. Getting it out as quickly as possible. That’s the game. Utilizing the speed in the puck area is something we’ll try to get better at, as well.”

Post-game comments from the Blackhawks locker room, as well as Kings coach Darryl Sutter, forward Tyler Toffoli and defenseman Rob Scuderi can all be found here.

Also, earlier today we had pre-game comments from Sutter and several members of the Blackhawks. See the links below to read what they had to say.

POST-GAME COMMENTS:

Pre-Game 2: Sutter on Richards’ health, Stoll’s play and the re-match with Chicago

Pre-Game 2: Blackhawks’ Toews on Brown’s late elbow, leadership of Doughty and Richards

Pre-Game 2: Chicago Blackhawks players talking Penner and the Kings

WCF Post-Game 1: Comments from Kings coach Darryl Sutter

WCF Post-Game 1: Blackhawks coach on Chicago’s 2-1 win over LA

Flash quotes from the Kings’ locker room after 2-1 loss to Blackhawks in Game 1

VIDEO: Dave Bolland’s questionable hit on Mike Richards

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