It wasn't always the prettiest on the ice for the Los Angeles Kings (10-5-4) and goalie Anton Forsberg in the final game in Canada north of the border in this six-game road trip in the East this week against the Ottawa Senators (9-6-4). The Kings found a way to get the job done in a sloggy and tough 1-0 shutout win over the Senators on Saturday evening in Ottawa on the road (Nov. 15).
A shutout marks a triumphant return to Ottawa with the Los Angeles Kings for Anton Forsberg this regular season
Led by Forsberg and the Kings' blue line group on defense, LA rallied for a one-goal win in a tough environment on the road in Ottawa. But it seems like the Kings have excelled consistently on the road this fall, having won all four games to start this road trip in the East this past week north of the border.
The Kings have also gotten points in a double-digit number of consecutive games on the road this regular season in the past few weeks or so. The shutout yesterday on the road against the Senators came largely thanks to a huge effort on defense and in goal in the defensive zone from players like Forsberg in net, and Mikey Anderson and Joel Edmundson on the blue line.
Forsberg and Anderson gave their reactions and thoughts to the media after the impressive and hard-fought 1-0 shutout win in Ottawa over the Senators on Saturday evening.
This was a huge game for Forsberg and the Kings' blue line in the defensive zone, holding the Senators to a shutout for the first time since this past regular season in the East.
Here's a look at everything Forsberg and Anderson said to the media postgame following the Kings' 1-0 shutout win over the Senators on the road in Ottawa at the Canadian Tire Centre on Nov. 15.
Anton Forsberg
On the tribute he saw facing his former team in Ottawa in the shutout win last night
"It was special. The first time that happened to me and it was where my journey started. I went through waivers a bunch of times there that year, and then they picked me up, and I ended up staying there for five years. So, it's been a big place for me and my family both on and off the ice. Made a lot of friends outside of hockey. It's been our own for quite a while, so it was special."
On getting a shutout against his former team vs. Ottawa yesterday
"Yeah, obviously it couldn't come at a better time. Get the win was the most important thing. Shutout was plus obviously. I thought we played really well."
On how well the Kings' defense played in front of Forsberg to limit Ottawa in the offensive zone yesterday
"They couldn't really get anywhere. We stopped them in the middle of the zone; they couldn't get in, couldn't get in clean looks. That's the game we want to play. It's going to be a tight game. They play the same way, the other way. We got a bounce on that goal, and we went up in the game. So it's great."
On the play Drew Doughty made and the impact the team feels with his absence in the lineup on defense
"Yeah, obviously, it's never fun seeing someone getting hurt. He's a big part of this team and has been for a long time, and hopefully it's not too serious. We'll see what happens. But he's been good.
The way he battled there it's just the type of player he is. It takes a lot for him to go down. He stuck with it and probably took away a goal there."
Mikey Anderson
On the team finding a way to win again on this road trip vs. Ottawa
"I think both ways, both teams would say the same thing. There wasn’t much going on. Sometimes, it’s the way it goes and we found a way to get one. Bergy was big when we needed him and just good to get one when it’s not the prettiest."
On Anton Forsberg getting the win in his return to Ottawa against his former team yesterday
"I’m sure it means more to him than any of us, but it’s fun for him, when he’s here, he gets to see everyone, see some friends people that have probably become family for him. It’s fun night for him. I think everyone’s pretty juiced up for him."
On the Kings prevailing in a low-scoring game yesterday
"I think we looked up halfway through the game and it was like 6-6 in shots. Sometimes, it’s just the way it goes. Maybe some bad bounces, pucks going each way, maybe a few too many turnovers both ways, but also, I think just they defended hard. They made it hard for us, we tried to make it hard for them. I think both ways, guys were executing what they wanted to do and it was just the way the game went."
On the play Drew Doughty made before suffering the injury on defense for the Kings
"I don’t think there’s much that needs to be said. He’s obviously one of the probably biggest, if not the biggest competitor, I think, in the league. Sucks to see him be hurting, but again, he battles and he’s going to do anything he can to keep playing or stay engaged and involved. Hopefully it’s not too bad and everything and he can play hopefully in two days, so we’ll find out."
On the Kings finding success in the first four games of the road trip in the East this past week
"I think we've been talking as a group, trying to keep building a game, day after day, game over game. Maybe coming into it, we've found it a little bit more. We're happy with what we've been doing. It's easier to build off of it when things go well. I think just trying to hammer down on what's making us successful and keep trying to, you know, build as a group and a unit."
On the impact Joel Edmundson made down the stretch for the Kings vs. Ottawa
"He's big. I mean, he's hard. He's heavy. Play some heavy minutes, too. I think it's hard. I mean, guys don't get a lot of PP time. I mean, he's heavy down low, he does a lot with Clarky, obviously, I think he's awesome. He does a lot of things that go unnoticed to someone unless you're trying to pick him out throughout a game. But he's a big part of the back end. That's always nice seeing him bounce around a little bit and have success."
On the feeling with the Kings playing with five defensemen last night without Drew Doughty
"Everyone’s played with each other a little bit so far. I mean, all three of us that have been here the last year, and then obviously Dumo and Ceci, everyone’s familiar, and guys responded well and able to get the job done."