Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz on lack of execution and mistakes…
“I thought we turned a lot of pucks over and weren’t executing. We were trying to make the long passes and therefore, we just did not get to enough pucks. I thought we just looked at the scoring chances. There were not a lot on both sides, and when you sort of are trying to catch the game a little bit, they [Islanders] did a really good job of clogging it up and not giving us a whole lot. Good job on them.”
Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz on shuffling Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom…
“A little bit of matchups and making them [Islanders] chase a little bit at the same time. Looking for a spark as well. I do not think we were skating the way we need to against a team that can skate pretty good. We weren’t as sharp as we need to be. We need to be a lot sharper. That goes right through the whole lineup. From our top guys to our role players, there was not too many sharp guys.”
Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom on how the Capitals played…
“We didn’t execute breakouts or in the neutral zone. I think that is part of the game that we have to be better at the game too if we’re going to win. I think passing in today’s hockey is so important, and we didn’t give our buddy a good pass today. It’s hard, though. We’ve got to play a little quicker and have better passes. I don’t think it’s something wrong with the work ethic. I feel like everyone is working and playing physical.”
Washington Capitals forward Nicklas Backstrom on if nerves played a role in the Capitals play…
“First game, first couple of minutes, but when you’re down there, you don’t think about that too much. It’s just Game 1, and we didn’t play good today, and we obviously have to be better. We’re going to be better on Friday.”
Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik on if they Capitals were thrown off their game plan by the play of the Islanders…
“Exactly what we expected. We know they are really good in the neutral zone, and we didn’t manage the puck very well. The first goal was a good example of that. If you turn the puck over against them, they are a really good in the transition team. They made us pay a few times.”
Washington Capitals defenseman Brooks Orpik on how the Caps can bounce back…
“It’s just one game here. We know we can play a lot better than that. It will be a long series. Try to keep investing physically as the game went on and we were down a couple of goals. We’ve got to turn the page quickly and try to find some things we can do a little better.”
New York Islanders head coach Jack Capuano on the performance of his younger players tonight…
“Sometimes you feel a little bit of pressure as a young guy, obviously coming into a building like this and playing against some veterans that [the Capitals] have in their lineup. I liked their composure. Their motion was in check, and they came up big for us tonight. They skated. And you know, they played with confidence and poise. They’ve done that all year and right into Game 1.”
New York Islanders head coach Jack Capuano on his team’s execution of the game plan…
“We’ve got confidence in the way that we play. There’s a certain way we have to play. I talk about it all the time and our structure. I thought our coverage was good and when we did have a breakdown, I thought [Jaroslav] Halak made some big saves for us.”
New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk on getting the first goal tonight…
“It was pretty big, you know, it wasn’t crucial but it was a good job getting that first one. [Washington] got one on us and could have had a couple more, but [Islanders goaltender Jaroslav Halak] played well, and we just have to continue to do the same things.”
New York Islanders forward John Tavares on how big it is to take game one…
“Certainly, we knew coming in here we had to play a good, hard road game. We know it’s going to be a tough series, so anytime you’re able to take the first one, you want to build on it and obviously take advantage of the next one. Yeah, it was a good start for us. Now it’s on for game two.”
New York Islanders forward John Tavares on how winning one-on-one battles is the key in games like this…
“You just try and be ready for whoever you’re out against. When you’re competing for loose pucks, or winning races, or trying to get to the front of the net, you’re just trying to win your one-on-one battles and that’s it. That’s the key, I think. As a team and individually you take a lot of pride in that, so just trying to be ready for whoever you’re out there against.”
New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey on his key goal that made it 3-1…
“I think both of those guys [Islanders forwards Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen] did a great job down low. I was just kind of the slot man and just tried to crash the net at the end. Both of those guys did a great job controlling the puck and controlling the play, and I was just the beneficiary of that one.”