Overall, the Kings franchise is in perhaps the best shape it has been in over the team’s nearly 50-year history. They have a strong group of core players who are still in their prime, are in a decent salary cap position, and play to sold out crowds every night. However, they’ve also been through more ups and downs over the last three years than nearly any other elite team in the league. Firing a head coach and winning a Stanley Cup in a six month window doesn’t happen very often. Additionally, multiple scoring slumps by top players have taken places a number of times the past few seasons, causing people to question nearly every facet of their roster. Despite it all though, Kings captain Dustin Brown has remained confident that the players inside the locker room are a tightknit group and can weather just about any storm. He said as much during the morning skate before Game 4 and then they backed it up with a win on Thursday night.
Following the game, here’s what Brown had to say…
On top players stepping up:
“You win or lose with your best plays at the end of the day, at this level. If your best players are your best players, it gives you an opportunity to win. I thought tonight we had a lot of contributions from a lot of players, but at the end of the day you win or lose with your top guys.”
On if he is happy with his performance tonight:
“I don’t think I’m satisfied. That’s whats expected of me and that’s what I expect of myself. It’s not about what I did tonight, it’s about what I’m able to do the next game.”
On playing better:
“I think at the end of the day, we have to be a lot better. I know we got the win, but we have to be better in our own zone. We had a couple breakdowns and against this team- the score could have been a lot different tonight, quite honestly. We have to clean up our d-zone and our checking. A couple of missed cues and they scored on them. Again, we have to focus on the next game now.”
On the team digging in deep:
“I think it’s about pride in here. We’ve been through a lot as a group. It’s been well documented, I think, over the last few years. So this is just another challenge. One challenge and now we get ready for the next. It’s not about dwelling on the night.”
On if there will be pressure on the Sharks if the Kings take an early lead in Game 5:
“Yes and no. They still have command of the series. It’s about taking one shift at a time. Going into their building- every home team thrives off the crowd in their home building this time of year. We have to be prepared to do the little things and the right things, especially early. We have to chip away. You can’t look to far ahead, especially against a team like this.”
On the fighting at the end of the game:
“One minute left at the end of the game, it’s over at that point. Two teams are going after each other, it’s apart of the playoffs. That’s what makes this fun.”
On if he is surprised it took long to be put on a line with Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik:
“Not really. It’s one of those things, you put the players where they need to be to give the team the best chance to win. Sometimes it doesn’t work out. As a player, you just put your head down and play wherever.”
On adjustments:
“I think when you play a series- I mean we know these guys so well. First and foremost it’s more about doing the right things than adjustments, and then adjustments come into play once you’re playing at the top of your game. We made a couple of adjustments. I think the adjustments come more on the power play, penalty kill. There’s certain things that you can exploit both ways, and they’re doing the same. Especially tonight, they caught us with their three minute stretch on the power play once, and we made an adjustment after that. That’s where the adjustments come in.”
On momentum changes:
“I think the physical nature of the series, that’s what playoff hockey is. The Sharks have big, strong players. It’s one of those things where you have to try to grind guys down. It’s not only a physical thing but a mental thing.”
On Justin Williams’ ability to score big goals:
“He’s one of those players that he’s done that throughout his career. Certain guys have that ability to- not necessarily raise their game- but find a way to score big goals at big times. He’s one of those guys, especially this time of year.”
MORE POST-GAME CONTENT:
Game 4: Thornton thinks Sharks played well enough to win
Game 4: Sutter and Williams talk Kings 6-3 win over Sharks
GAME 4: Sharks Dan Boyle breaks down Quick, Kings and Sharks
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