Postgame comments from LA Kings goaltender Cal Petersen following Tuesday’s 3-2 loss to the visiting Colorado Avalanche…
On how it felt to be back in the net for the Kings
Yeah, felt really good. Obviously, it was a really long break, so there was a little bit of rust to shake off, but I’m obviously very grateful to be back in the net playing for these guys. Wanted to get the win tonight too.
On how the team adjusted after the first 10 minutes of the game
I think we started playing it there at their pace. They’re a really fast team and I think we’re really fast as well. I think instead of sitting back and letting them come to us we took it to them. I think that was evident in the five-on-five play, really did a good job and guys definitely shut it down defensively so they didn’t get much after that.
On the play of the penalty kill tonight
They have a good power-play, there are some good players on there. I think it was a good test for us. I think the one power-play goal that they got, the second one, it’s a save that I can make, especially late in the penalty kill too. Other than that, I think the guys sacrificed a lot. I think it’s one of those things that we can get better at each game, and I think this is a pretty good starting point for that, and we’re only gonna get better from here, so the foundation’s in place, just putting it all together.
On if his reads are different facing a high-level power-play unit like Colorado
I mean it’s definitely a factor. They have a lot of high profile of players, guys that can shoot kind of in any situation. They’re all guys that are shooters and also playmakers. It’s one of those things where it’s not really each guy’s designated position, I think they all have those strengths. That’s what makes it challenging because they can they can score from any area. That’s just the thing, it’s just maintaining depth for me and making sure that I don’t over commit and give up a play to the backside, but I think that’s one of the things that the guys did well is keeping things to one side and not giving up too many seam plays.
On the which goal he wishes he could’ve had back
The one from the point. The pass went up and I lost it through the body’s in traffic and was on the wrong side of the body, so by that time the puck was already heading to the net so I was a little late. I think in that regard, with a power-play like that, that’s really good at finding those seams that’s probably the least dangerous spot. I think that’s one of those goals that I need to step in and have a chance to make that safe too, no matter the traffic.
On the added difficulty of going through the extra week of COVID protocols
It was definitely unique. It’s one of those things where you don’t have the usual exhibition games to get some confidence and games under your belt, it’s one of those things where you just have to just jump right in. Like I said, I think it felt like in some certain times I was playing a little bit of catch up, especially against a fast team like that. But I think I was able to settle into the game well, halfway through it I felt definitely very comfortable. It’s one of those things, unfortunately having that week where you couldn’t do anything, it’s one of those things where you just want to continue to build each practice and each game and get more comfortable and play my best hockey as the season progresses.
More postgame comments below.
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