JEFF CARTER
&
DREW DOUGHTY
Q. Jeff, what did you see on the game winner? What were yo
thoughts immediately afterwards?
JEFF CARTER: Well, it was a great play by the D. I think it was
Marty to get it up quick. Just tried to turn and get it to the net. I
tried to hit Penns’ back door. It kind of popped out to me.
I had someone’s stick in the lane there. Just tried to get out of
the way, get it on net.
Q. Jeff, you had some big ones in Philly. Where would this one
rank?
JEFF CARTER: I think this is by far the biggest. I think it’s my
first playoff overtime goal. It’s a huge one. It’s a big one for the
team. Gets us a two-game lead here. Gets us where we wanted to be coming
in here.
Q. Drew, when you were growing up, were there any particular
highlights, goals, anything that you saw that really resonated with you
that you remembered throughout your growing up?
DREW DOUGHTY: That I scored?
Q. That anyone scored.
DREW DOUGHTY: No. I actually remember Niedermayer when he played in
New Jersey having a couple end to enders. He was an unbelievable player
here, everywhere he played. I always wanted to emulate him. He always
scored some highlight goals that I remember.
Q. Jeff, are you looking for the blocker on that one or just
shooting to put it on the net?
JEFF CARTER: Just looking for anything really (laughter).
Playoff hockey, you put it on the net as much as you can. It’s
usually a cheesy goal. But Penns did a great job of getting right in front
of Marty there. To be honest, I don’t even know if he saw around Penns, or
if he saw the shot.
Q. Drew, obviously it’s a race to four. Having said that, how
important is it to stay levelheaded, not get carried away here?
DREW DOUGHTY: I think we have to reset, refocus. We have to go back
to L.A. as if the series is just starting. We have home-ice advantage.
Have to take the first two at home.
We’re happy that we got the first two. But going home on the plane
tonight, we’re trying to forget about those games. We’re obviously going
to learn what we did right and wrong. But going back home, it’s a whole
new series.
Q. Drew, can you talk about what happened on your goal.
DREW DOUGHTY: I just saw some ice in front of me. Decided to skate
with the puck. I don’t know who the D man was, but I tried to use him as a
screen. Marty has that quick glove so I went blocker side. I didn’t even
know it went in actually, but luckily, it did.
Q. Dustin Penner said after the last round that the Kings are going
to need a bigger bandwagon after winning the Western Conference Final. How
big is it going to have to be now?
JEFF CARTER: I think it’s grown by every game. It’s great to see.
It’s fun for us. Hopefully we can keep it going.
Q. Jeff, in the context of the last 12 months, the trade. A moment
like tonight make up for a lot of that aggravation?
JEFF CARTER: Yeah, it’s a pretty special moment, I think.
Obviously, anytime you get a chance to play in the Final, it’s exciting.
But scoring an overtime goal Game 2, puts you up 2-0, it’s pretty special.
Q. Were there any lessons you learned from the Philadelphia-Chicago
Final that you carry over to this series?
JEFF CARTER: Being in Philly, we played against Marty a lot. Played
against the Devils. I think for myself and Mike, we know a lot of their
tendencies.
I think they’ve kind of opened their game up a little more. There’s
still some things you have to adjust to. It definitely helps.
Q. You are nice and humble. It’s almost as if you’re underplaying
the fact you scored two very artistic goals. Do you regard them in that
way?
JEFF CARTER: A goal is a goal to me no matter how it goes in, so…
Dewey made a great play end-to-end. Great shot. Mine was lucky
enough to find the back of the net with big Penns in front there.
Q. Drew, talk about the importance of making the Devils be in a deep
hole.
DREW DOUGHTY: I don’t think too much is going to change. Obviously
they might be on their heels a little bit. I think going into L.A.,
they’re going to come out hard. They’re playing desperate. They know they
have to win four out of five now. They’re going to be playing their best
hockey.
I think these first two games we haven’t been at our best, so it’s
about time we pick up our socks and play our best hockey, too.
Q. What about the atmosphere in L.A.?
DREW DOUGHTY: It’s going to be nuts. Every series, the rink is
getting louder and louder. People around the city have been enjoying the
fan crew. We can’t wait to get in front of those home fans and hopefully
get them a few wins.
Interview conducted by
ASAP SPORTS