Postgame Quotes vs.

Predators Quotes Peter Laviolette On the team’s response after giving up two goals to the Islanders… We played a really good first period and I think we caught them a little bit. Sometimes when that happens, the opposition wakes up and you could go a little bit flat. We started to do the wrong things with the puck in the second period. We turned it over way too much. We stopped shooting the puck and when that happens you’re going to go back and play defense and then anything could happen from there – so we ended up catching a couple goals. The response after the second period was very good. We played a much tighter game. A better brand of hockey that can find us success and scored a big to give us that two-goal cushion back.

On early goals creating momentum on the bench… It was a good start. You could tell that our guys were skating well, that they were on point, that they played a simple north game and they were delivering pucks to the net – then anything is possible from there. I think that they (Islanders) were a little bit flat and that had to do with the way the (first) period played out. They definitely picked up their game in the second period. We tried to get a little bit too cute and that was the result of the second period, but it was the third period response that I liked.

On Viktor Arvidsson… He’s a courageous guy out there. He goes for the hard area and he wins the battles in the corners. He goes for the front of the net. He gets knocked around like he did the other night; he comes back and finishes the game (and) still continues to put up points for us. He’s a warrior out there.

On … He’s been great. I think he’s done exactly what we’ve asked him to. I think that line tonight was excellent – especially early on in that game in the first period. I thought they played a terrific last game as well, but tonight they got pucks deep. They were tenacious on the forecheck and dogging pucks and checking pucks. Colton Sissons had another strong game. (I) thought Salomaki was good, but Zac (Rinaldo) has been real good. He’s been a big part of it. He provides some physical presence, he’s played a good brand of hockey and plays to an identity that we’re looking to play with.

Left Wing Filip Forsberg On after having recent issues with power plays, how rewarding it was tonight… I think we had a couple good shots right before they scored, I saw a really nice goal and play by Josi and it was good to get that one.

On not giving the lead up throughout the game… The second period was obviously a let-down, we kind of gave in but the third period was solid.

Center Ryan Johansen On if the team’s first period was their most complete one of the season… We did a lot of good things. It’s tough to keep that going, especially against the teams in this League, where everyone’s a good team. We had to clean up a little in the second, but I thought we had a good response in the third to shut it down.

On the team’s mindset in the third period… We just wanted to get back to the things we were doing in the first period; manage the puck a little better and play good defense – that’s what we were able to do. When we needed Juuse, he was there to make some big saves. It was a good team effort in the third.

On if the team’s momentum changed after the Islanders’ two goals… They were doing good things; the made a couple good plays. As a group, we had to go out there and get the momentum back. It was a huge goal for Turris on the power play, to get us that cushion again. It was a great time for the powerplay to step up.

Center Kyle Turris On the team’s game plan going into the tonight… We’re at home, so we just wanted to carry the momentum we had from last game and come out with a good start, which we were able to do. We had a little bit of a letdown in the second, but we found a way to finish it.

On the team’s mindset after the Islanders’ two goals… I feel like we’re an experienced enough team to realize when we have to kick it up, and figure things out. Which we did tonight.

On the team’s toughness going through some tough games… I think every team in the League is a good team; we have to play our best every night. We have enough experience in the room to realize games are going to be tight, so we have enough poise in the room to play through it.

Islanders Quotes Forward Andrew Ladd On how he felt with this being his first game back… I felt okay. I’m just trying to get back up to speed and realizing how much time and space you have to make plays and feeling comfortable doing that. I’m going to try to build on this one and feel more comfortable as I go.

On if it feels weird switching their lineup in the game… It’s just the way it goes. I think we’re all playing under the same system and then trying to accomplish the same thing.

Forward Josh Bailey On the push they made in the second period… The first period was tough for us and we beat ourselves with turnovers and playing slow. We wanted to come back up in the second and chip away. We were able to do that and push. We came up a little short, but it was a good response by us to come back and give ourselves a chance.

On if his milestones mean a lot in this League (regarding his 100th goal)… I think maybe later on you’ll look back and kind of think more positively about it. Obviously, it’s a tough loss, but whenever you’re able to contribute and hit milestones like that – whether its games played, goals, whatever – it’s special. It’s something you’ll look back on later on.

Head Coach On the team’s slow start… I thought the first 10 minutes we were fine. I knew it was going to be a little bit of a chore. I’ve seen enough of this act before. This is a hard building to come into. The crowd was into it. They were out-shooting us. We really weren’t getting anything for the first 10 minutes, and then we started turning pucks over and then that was it. It was a free-for-all. They (Predators) score a goal and the crowd gets into it…I liked our response in the second period. We just played much better. We stayed with the program right through. It’s going to be a process. We need to know that. In the past, they haven’t stayed with the program all the way through and when we got back on the program we were fine. And then the fourth goal hurt us.

On what he would do to switch up their lines in the defense… Just play. We didn’t have any net presence. Everybody wants to be on the outside, and we need some net presence. I just thought that enough’s enough so let’s get Greiss to the net to switch guys around