Kings defenseman did just about everything he set out to accomplish in Game 6, including being a big part of his team’s offense. However, when all was said and doen, LA let another third period lead slip away and the Blackhawks tied the series. Following the loss on home ice, Doughty wasn’t rattled one bit about going back to Chicago for a winner-takes-all showdown with the Blackhawks. Here’s what he had to say…
On playing Game 7:
“We’ve been in that spot a few times, we know how to deal with it. We’re still a confident group. We know we lost tonight. We’re over it already, we’re ready to move on and we’re ready to win a game in the United Center.”
On what happened after the Kings took a third period lead:
“You know what, I thought that they got that goal pretty quickly right after. It was just a little bit of a breakdown coverage in the D zone. Their D are really active, we’ve seen it all series, so we kind of have to clean that up a little bit. They’re finding shots from in the middle of the slot which D men really shouldn’t be doing. So we need to clean that up a little bit and not allow these third period leads to slip.”
On the key to shutting down Patrick Kane in Game 7:
“You now what, last game, yeah he got four assists but I didn’t even think it was like he dominated the game. The stat sheet tells a different story than the actual game.”
On if it’s difficult to put this game behind them:
“It’s not that tough. We’re fine. We still believe we could have won this game tonight. We know that we can still beat this Chicago Blackhawk team, but we also how it’s not going to be easy. They’re going to have their best game in this Game 7, especially in their home rink. We just have to reset, fly over there tomorrow and just be ready to win a hockey game.”
On not taking away Kane’s time and space:
“I guess not on that goal and I guess the other goal, too, where he passed it to their D men. So, yeah. We didn’t do a good enough job on them tonight.”
On if they played as if it was a must win game:
“I thought we tried to. Maybe we made a few mistakes early. Obviously we didn’t have the lead coming into the locker room, which we would like to have. So we have to play a lot more desperate next game and be better prepared.”
On being familiar with Game 7’s on the road:
“Yeah, it helps. I think it’s a good thing for our hockey club. I don’t think we’ve played enough desperate hockey these last two games, and I think that’s kind of why we lost both of them. It’s about time we get to that type of game that the LA Kings play.”
On why they are leaving too much space in front of the net:
“We’re not closing quick enough. We’re allowing them to get zone possession, our neutral zone forecheck isn’t good enough right now. They’re skilled forwards, they’re going to create space on their own, but at the same time, those top guys we know who they are. We need to close out and play them physical.”
On his frustration level:
“I’m frustrated but I’m over it pretty quickly. We have another game to play, Game 7. We had two chances to close out this series and we’re not going to blow the third one.”
On if they get used to playing a Game 7:
“Well I guess we can get used to it, yeah, but we don’t want to be used to it. I think if you play Game 7’s throughout the whole playoffs, it’s going to be pretty tough on your body. So, whatever. We’re in this situation. I think if before the series we were asked would you go to Game 7 with Chicago and just be put in that spot, just a one game thing, I think we would take it.”
On getting rid of the negative thoughts of a Game 7:
“We won a game there already this series. We know last game that we lost there as well we could have won. We just need to come out fresher, we need to come out better. That’s been our lapse lately. Well, I guess the third period giving up a lead that’s not a good thing either. But we need to come out better in the first period.”
On why the Kings play so well with their backs against the wall:
“I think that we all play more desperate. We all play like it’s our last game out there, last game of our lives. We want nothing more than a win to this team and to be in that Stanley Cup Final. I just think we lacked a little bit of desperation and they had a little more. That’s why we lost.”
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