Through five games of the young season, PL Dubois has pretty much been exactly as advertised. In addition to acclimating to his new surroundings quite well, he’s put up four points (including three goals), brought a physical edge when needed, and showed off some creative playmaking despite not knowing his linemates very well. The Kings big offseason addition also weathered the storm in Winnipeg quite nicely when the boo birds came calling.
On Saturday night, Dubois extended his point streak to three games with an assist in LA’s losing bid to Boston. It was his 306th point (132G, 174A), putting him just two points behind teammate Phillip Danault (101G, 207A) for the sixth most points among active Quebec-born skaters.
The 25-year-old forward checked in with Mayor’s Manor to offer his perspective on these three topics…
On falling short to Bruins after a successful two-game road trip:
It’s a long season. Every game is just as important as the other, whether it’s now or at the end of the year. But, you know, it’s a long season; it’s about the process. I thought we played well [even though we lost]. There were a lot of good minutes played. They’re a top team in the NHL. They might have lost a few players, but they’re still a top team in the NHL. So to come out here after a road trip with just one day [in-between] and play these guys when they’re already on the West Coast, I thought we played well. We made some mistakes – in key moments in the games, like the power play, they scored, we didn’t. Little things like that. But, if you look at the whole of it, we can’t beat ourselves up too much about it.
On Alex Laferriere getting his first goal vs. the Bruins
He’s been playing really well. He’d missed a few chances the previous couple games. He was getting a little nervous or a little frustrated, but he was getting chances. He was playing well. You knew one of them was going to come his way. And for him to get that one, it was a big goal for us. It would have been a perfect night if we would have won. But, he’s been playing well and now the monkey is off his back. He has 49 left to score this year!
On what was going through his mind watching Anze Kopitar skate in his 1,297th regular season game:
It’s impressive. I think the career he’s had is still very underrated. It’s not talked about enough. He has won Cups, he’s won pretty much everything. One of the hardest things in NHL that goes under the radar is consistency. I think that’s the hardest piece. You have guys that have great seasons every once in a while, or guys who have four or five in a row. Then, Kopi’s been in his prime for 18 years it feels like (laughter). To see that every day, to see it in practice, and in games, it’s more than impressive. It’s been great playing with him and getting to know him.
Bonus content
McLellan when asked to evaluate the play of Dubois — “I think he’s a big man who uses his size real well. He’s going faster than he looks on the ice. And he’s got that deception of speed. He’s been able to get his shots off. That line has been in a lot of offensive chances in five games. He’s been a big part of it. So, for him, Laf, and Englund — the three guys that have had to adjust to new surroundings, new teammates, new systems — all three are doing a pretty admirable job.
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Lead photo via ALo Images
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