Pre-Game 4: In-depth Thoughts from Drew Doughty

On if being ahead in the series feels different:

“No, I don’t think it feels any different. It’s a new game, it’s a new day. It’s a game, it’s a must win for us. This game is very important. If we lose this game tonight, it puts them right back in the series and gives them a little bit of momentum. If we win, we’re going back to Chicago up 3-1, and that’s a place we want to be in. Tonight’s a must win, and the team got to have a great effort.”

On keeping Patrick Kane quiet:

“We have to keep playing him the same way. We have to play him very hard, we can’t give him a lot of space. He’ll try to find speed and ice underneath and just weave his way into the zone and create offensive chances that way. We just need to stay tight with him. We’ve been doing a good job, but we know he’s going to play his best game tonight. We’re going to have to pay special attention to him.”

On Kane not being able to get a quick start:

“Yeah, that’s what we’re trying to do. We want to play him hard, we want to hit him hard. I think that’s the way you kind of take him off his game, is play him physical. We need to continue to be doing that and take his space away.”

On the Eastern Conference Finals and the Kings not playing dirty:

“I think in the west, we play these playoff types of games all the time. The west is a lot more physical and a lot more of a grind than the east. We’re just used to playing these types of games. We shy away from the stuff after the whistle, we play as hard as possible between the whistles. As much as we want to beat the other team and have respect, we have respect for the other team. We’re not going to take any cheap shots or anything like that.”

On if he expects a low scoring game tonight:

“Yeah, I would. Our type of game is the low scoring, not giving up a lot of goals kind of game. Their team likes to put pucks in the net. We need to make sure we keep them off the offensive, keep the puck, have possession. Keep the puck in their offensive zone. The less time we spend in the D zone the better. It’s going to be a low scoring one and that’s the type of game we want to play.”

On Tyler Toffoli and Tanner Pearson:

“Yeah, they’re doing a good job. I really see team evolving as good players. Both of them are trying to get better in the D zone which we need. I think Toff has been great for us defensively, as well. Obviously Carts is doing a good job of leading the way and helping them out there. We need them to be that line for us. We can’t rely on Kopi’s line to get all the points, we need to be getting points from every single line. We count on every single guy and every single line on this team to get points for us. We know that everyone can do that, too.”

On Alec Martinez:

“He’s playing well. He plays 10 to 12 minutes, or whatever it is, a game for us. Those minutes are important. He’s good with the puck on the power play, he’s fast. He has all the skills in the world and when he’s playing with confidence, he’s on top of his game and he’s making a difference for us. Defensively, he’s, I think, got a lot better over the years. He’s blocking shots now, playing well on one-on-ones. He’s a big part to this team and this group. Our defense need to lead the way for us. We need all six guys to be on top of their game.”

On if it’s hard to impress Darryl Sutter:

“No, I don’t think so. I think Darryl gives guys the opportunity equally. He’s not always going to be impressed with guys in the game, but if you’re working hard for him at all times and you’re trying to do the right things in practice and you’re trying to get better everyday, he’s going to recognize that and he’s going to give you an opportunity that way.”

On what is the last thing Sutter yelled at him for:

“I don’t remember. Probably something about Toews at some point throughout the series.”

On beating the Sharks and Ducks:

“We’ve faced, I think, the three toughest team in the whole Western Conferece we’ve had to face so far. It’s not the time to give ourselves a pat on the back or anything like that, but we’ve done a good job getting past the first two. I think our toughest challenge yet is this Chicago Blackhawks team. We know the series isn’t even close to being over. This game is so huge for us to win tonight. If we want to win this series, I think we have to win this game.”