Rookie Jaret Anderson-Dolan returned to the Kings lineup for the first time since mid-February and they picked up right where they left off – with another win.
Wednesday night saw the Kings take down the Blues 4-1, and JAD chipped in two assists while looking every bit the part of a full-time NHL player.
After the game, he shared several comments:
On how he felt in his first game back from injury
I feel good. Just tried to get the physical part out of the way and throw a couple hits. Getting your timing back, you can’t really simulate that in practice. I felt pretty good for being out for a while, but definitely have a lot of room for improvement to get back to where I want to be.
On his line with Carl Grundstrom and Trevor Moore keeping it simple in the offensive zone
It’s a good combination of players that play similar games, we can all skate and are willing to get in on the forecheck. That’s been our bread and butter since we’ve been together. It’s working, so we’re not looking to change anything. Just keep rolling with it and continue to grow as a line and as a team.
On the importance of wanting to make an impression in his return
You have to come in and make an impression right away. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been hurt or anything like that, there’s no excuse. The practices I’ve been doing have prepared me as well as they can to get back in the lineup and make a difference. That’s my main goal every time I’m in the lineup, just trying to help the team win. That’s what I focus on. I have a little bit to get back to where I want to be, but tonight was a good start.
On if the need for a strong start is still preached or if it has become implied
It was emphasized tonight. In the meetings we’ve had before playing St. Louis, whoever has the best start is usually coming out on top, minus that one game a couple weeks ago. It’s definitely an emphasis from Todd and the coaches, to have a quick start. We did a good job of that, getting in on them right away and setting the tone for the game.
On if the game getting cancelled Monday was frustrating to him, as he was trying to get back into the lineup
A little bit frustrating, I just tried to take the positives. That game getting cancelled gave me a couple extra days of full practice with the team to get my legs back and my timing back. That helped me tonight, getting back in there. A little bit frustrating, you want to get back in as soon as you can. I just tried to take the positives, it’s not really something I could control; not really any point in stressing about it.
On if there were areas of his game he was looking to improve after being out of the lineup
Of course. I was watching video of the couple games I played, just to stay engaged. Watching our games, looking back on the games that I was playing, to see what was allowing me to be effective. It was more to stay engaged and keep my hockey mind going during that time off with the injury.
On if he knew he would be back in the lineup as soon as he was healthy
No, not really. Nothing’s guaranteed at this level. Injuries suck, you’re definitely not gonna be guaranteed to get back in. When you get the chance, you have to make the most of it. That was my focus having that time off – the skates I was doing, and in practice. Just trying to work on my habits, my details, so that when the time came again to get back in, I’d be able to play my game and make a difference again. That was something I focused on. You take it how it is, it’s the way the game is; keeps it competitive and keeps you on your toes. So it’s good.
On how he feels after playing 17 minutes tonight, and his line playing the most even-strength minutes
I felt great. Focusing on our game, controlling what you can control, that’s what’s been allowing us to click. As a team, I thought we did a great job of locking it down there in the third. That’s great for us to know we can play with those leads and come out with points, especially against a team like St. Louis.
On if his offensive approach to the game is points-oriented or detail-oriented
It’s not something I try to focus on, I try to just focus on what I can control. That’s how hard you’re working and the details in your game. Tonight, the points are there, but I didn’t play as well as I wanted to. Not as good defensively as I wanted to be. A lot of room for improvement. Points don’t really matter, it’s about the team winning. I try to focus on what I can do to help the team win going forward here.
Trevor Moore postgame quotes can be found here.
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