Advertisement

'I'm Back With My Two Dads And It's A Lot Of Fun.': Seth Jarvis, Jackson Blake, Pyotr Kochetkov, Rod Brind'Amour On Win Over Vegas

The Carolina Hurricanes escaped with a 3-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights thanks to a rally in the final 40 minutes of action.

Seth Jarvis scored twice for Carolina and Jackson Blake picked up the other tally as Pyotr Kochetkov made 29 saves in the win.

After the game, Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour along with Jarvis, Blake and Kochetkov spoke with the media. Here's what they had to say:


Rod Brind'Amour

On Jordan Martinook's shift leading to the game-winning goal:
It's Jordan Martinook. I'm glad you mentioned it because that was the play of the game. They literally would have had a tap-in backdoor and then he makes a play and then obviously also puts it up to Jordo and that was a nice play too. Definitely, that line was good. They always are, but I'm glad you mentioned that right off the hop because that was the game right there.

On what went into the decision to alter his top line: There was a lot. It was really more about moving Svech back with Aho because they have a real big team. So I thought keeping that line the way it was would have been a little bit of a tougher matchup and Blaker has just been playing well. Give him a chance to play with Seabass and Svech and I thought he did really well.

On the adjustments he made to the fourth line matchups to get a heavier line out there: That matchup wasn't going well so I tried to get a bit bigger guys out there. I thought actually, that line for them, was one of their best lines tonight. So that was what went into that.

On the power play's struggles: The [first] unit has to get better. The other unit was actually much better, created some chances. We know that it has the potential to be good, it was good earlier in the year. They have to be sharper.

On Jarvis referring to the two Jordan's as his "Dads": I think it's just about showing them the respect. He understands what those guys bring. We talk about these guys every night because they are really the key to our team. You talk about how you want to play, how you want to come out every night and those guys bring it. I think Jarvy is happy to be put with those guys.

On Pyotr Kochetkov: Kept us in it. First period wasn't good... Actually, it was more that their first period was good. I mean, we were trying, they were just putting it on us. That's what a goalie can do, keep us in it. Thought we played pretty even after that, maybe even better. He made some huge saves. We had the one in the third on a breakaway... there's a bunch. You could pick any. On the penalty shot, whatever. He was definitely solid.

On the decision by Kochetkov to not go for the poke check on the penalty shot: I don't mind the poke checks if they work. But that was not the time for it. It wasn't him coming wide. He played it perfectly and he was the difference tonight too. We talked about Martinook and how that play was the difference, but I thought our goalie was the player of the game.

On the Staal, Martinook, Jarvis line: I think it's just the way they play. Jordan and Jordan, you know how they play. It's as honest as they come and as hardworking as they come. I think Jarvy has that in him and he has the ability to finish. I think it's a great combination and Jarvy is really, over these years, matured as a player to where we count on him on power plays and penalty kills. He's an all-around player just like those guys are really.


Seth Jarvis

On the team building a game as it went on:
That was great. [Kochetkov] played a hell of a game again and it was nice to see us build one and not be down one after one. Not be behind the 8-ball so much and feel like we had a chance and that's what happened tonight.

On the plays Jordan Martinook made before each of his goals: That second one for sure was definitely, in my opinion, a better play. Just stopping a goal and then creating the transition the other way for me and Jordo. He was evident all over the ice tonight and played a really good game.

On what's been clicking for him on his "tear" as of late: Let's not get crazy calling it a tear here. But I'm back with my two dads and it's a lot of fun.

On if he was happy with his line then: Yeah, how could you not be? They play unbelievable defense which I think opens me up a little more to focus on my offense and then knowing I have them coming into the zone, playing hard down low and creating space for me is everything you could ask for.

On getting the tough matchup against Jack Eichel and Mark Stone: They're an unbelievable line, those two together, and with Barbashev is a really good line in the NHL and probably one of the best. So for us to come out here, do as well as we did... I mean, they still got their chances, but for us to limit it the best we could and then capitalize on the other end was really big.

On if he was thinking about the hat trick at the end of the game: I was thinking win the game because we've been losing a couple and the only thing going through my head was, 'If we don't come out with this win, it's going to really suck.'"

On Jackson Blake: He's been unbelievable. Finding the back of the net in a bunch of different ways and he's someone we've really liked how he's come along this year.

On leaping into Staal's arms after his second goal: It was nice. He held me up there a little bit longer than I would have liked. I felt a little tiny in his arms, but it was really nice and something I hope we do a lot more of.


Jackson Blake

On the team getting to their game:
Obviously they had their push at the start. We knew they were a great team coming in and I think after the first 10 or so minutes in the first period, we started getting a lot more chances and then through the second and third, I think we really found our game. That's a good hockey team over there and it was a really fun game. To come out on top means a lot for us.

On getting an opportunity to play on the top line: Obviously those two are really good players, two of the best in the league, I think. I think I can add offense to that line and help them produce. Make plays in the o-zone and I think tonight we had a lot of good looks. Obviously you always want to strive for more and stuff like that, but hopefully just continue to grow and get that connection going.

On reaching double-digit goals in the NHL: I honestly wouldn't even have imagined being here last January. Obviously at school, I didn't know I was going to be there. I'm super fortunate that Rod and the coaching staff gave me an opportunity and obviously it's awesome to get there, but hopefully there's a lot more down the road this year.

On scoring a real goal-scorer's goal: That's one where you don't ask how, right? I don't mind those every once in a while. Those ones feel just as good.

On his growth: Like I said, I think I can provide offense for this team, a spark. Obviously this year especially I've grown a lot in work ethic and stuff like that. No matter what on every 50/50 and stuff, trying to win it every single time. I think that's been huge for me this year and hopefully I'll just continue to grow and get better.


Pyotr Kochetkov

On the penalty shot:
I try to no think about it. I just said to myself, 'No poke check this time.' I just try to do save and I happy I do it.

On if he thinking about having to keep the team afloat through the first period: It's regular season. I try to no think too much about who play against us. I just try and focus on what I do. [Seems he misunderstood the question]

On Frederik Andersen coming back: I think it's good for the team, for us, with Freddy coming back. He's a big goalie. I think we're a good team when he's ready. We have same work, same job. Just stop puck. Who better is guy who play next game. 

On bouncing back from the Anaheim game: When you lose, you think about the next game. You try to come back and do a good game. Sometimes you lose when you bad play, sometimes you good play and lose. You think always. I don't know different goalies, but if I lose, I just try to come back the next game and try to have my best game.

On what's going through his mind in the final seconds of the game: Five seconds, I pray Staalsy win faceoff. Very important win today. I try always. Lots of questions about what I think, I just try to no think about game. I just try to play my game.

On the team defending and blocking shots in front of him: It's always good for goalies, for team, when guys block shots, have good hits, good scores, we have power play score, penalty kill. I think it's all just good for the team. It's more just... [motions clasping his hands together] team building, you know?


Stay updated with the most interesting Carolina Hurricanes stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google New