Sharks Locker Room: Quinn Says Kahkonen ‘Looking Like the No. 1’

The San Jose Sharks outplayed the Buffalo Sabres through two periods, but the young-and-fast visitors just needed a strong final frame to record a 4-2 victory.

Goalscorer Evgeny Svechnikov talked about playing behind all night, newcomer Jacob MacDonald shared his thoughts about his five shots on goal in the first period, and San Jose Sharks head coach David Quinn spoke on the top line’s sluggish play and Kaapo Kahkonen’s impressive work.

Evgeny Svechnikov, on always playing from behind tonight:

It’s always not easy [to be behind], but I don’t think our mentality was we were behind. I think we felt good about our game and guys felt good in the room. Didn’t matter if we were behind or whatnot, the game was tight anyways.

I think we were playing really good. We had energy, we had enthusiasm, positivity. For some reason, we got on our heels in the third period.

Jacob MacDonald, on getting five shots in the first period:

Puck was just coming to me a little bit. I’ve got to capitalize on a couple of those. Think I said it after the first on the radio, Luukkonen made some great saves. It’s gonna come eventually, you just gotta keep shooting.

MacDonald, on his view of Jeff Skinner’s game-winner:

Just a weird bouncing puck. Close the guy out on the wall and went behind the net and then the puck just kind of found its way to the front. I don’t know.

Bad bounce that’s one of those things we got to clean up.

David Quinn, on what happened in the third period to the San Jose Sharks:

We just turned it over too much. A team, regardless of how fast they actually are, they’re gonna look a lot faster when you have it, and all of a sudden, you give it to them. [Our] turnovers really fueled their speed.

Quinn, on Noah Gregor’s impact tonight:

Greggy always looks fast because he is fast. I thought his play was going from zone to zone, he was moving, which is his biggest strength.

Quinn, on Kevin Labanc and the top line:

I didn’t love that line tonight, not just him. I didn’t think that line was on their game tonight.

Quinn, on Kaapo Kahkonen:

He played well. Sure he’d like to have that first goal back, but he made some big saves after that. He’s played very well. He’s looking like the No. 1 goalie we know he’s capable of being.