Quick interview

(on the roadtrip)
We've played great since the All-Star break. The roadtrip, we took four of five there. We needed those points to get in the playoffs. We're a couple of points out now to put ourselves in contention.

(on team's playoff aspirations at the beginning of the season)
I wasn't around at the beginning of the season, so I don't know how the team felt about that. Since I've been here, it's been a goal of ours. It's something that's realistic. We're fighting to get in there.

(On being named first star)
It's quite an honor to be recognized like that. It wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for this team. They've helped me out a lot. The reward is a reflection of the way the team is playing.

(on whether the Kings are more comfortable playing on the road)
I wouldn't say that. If you look at our home record and road record I believe our home record is a little bit better. This past roadtrip the team has played really well.

(on why the team played so well on the roadtrip)
Everyone's doing the little things. Everyone is digging in a little bit. We're competing hard. That shows with the numbers we put up on the roadtrip.

(on coming together on the road)
The team gelled a little bit on the road. Also, it was a good time for that roadtrip. We have a bunch of young guys and rookies. Maybe they were trying to figure it out at the beginning of the season. Now, everyone's getting it. Everyone's clicking. The timing of the roadtrip could've been a factor as well.

(If you make the playoffs, will you point to that roadtrip as the turning point?)
As of right now, you could say that. We still have 30 games to play, so who knows what will happen on the road. We're just taking one game at a time. That's what we've been doing and that's what we'll continue to do.

(are Kings under the radar still?)
Tough to say. Possibly. If we are under the radar, that's better off. Even if teams are recognizing what we're doing here, that's good. It's going to make them play better and make us play better.

(on how you felt you played on the roadtrip)
I feel I played well, but it's a reflection of how the team played. We were playing off each other. One line would go out and have a good shift and the next line would go out and have a good shift. It carried on right down the bench. Everyone played off each other. It was a great roadtrip.

(see confidence building?)
Especially game to game you really notice that. In games in the past, we've been up a goal late in the game and the other team found ways to come back and beat us. Now, we're holding those one-goal leads. Now, like the Islanders game two nights ago, we were down a goal in the third and came back and won in a shootout. We're progressing, and it's a good thing.

(on your confidence)
It's confidence that I'm getting from the team. The team's playing more confident and I'm playing more confident, and it works its way right down the bench.