As of this morning, Jonathan Bernier’s guest-pass list had reached 70 people. It’s been well-documented that Bernier will play his first-ever professional game in his hometown tonight — he grew up in nearby Laval — and Bernier will get a chance to improve upon his 2-4 record. Bernier has been far from fantastic so far this season, but he probably deserves better results than he has received. Terry Murray was asked about Bernier’s start tonight, and his play…
MURRAY: “He’s real excited about it. He’s been playing pretty good, and I’m hoping that he can give us an `A’ game tonight. … We’ve got to do a better job in front of him, when it comes down to it, and be able to finish off games when we have a one-goal lead going into the third period. We’ve had breakdowns in front of our goaltenders recently that put a lot of pressure on them to make a great save. We just want them to make good saves. We want to play solid in front of him, and he will give us the performance that we need if we do the right things in front.”
I believe in JB and if we play a bit better in front of him the results will change. He has not been stellar but I feel good knowing that we have two solid goaltenders. He is young and needs some work but we are better off this year than we have been over the last ten years.
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i hope Bernier outshines Carey Price because Price is hot lately! The Kings have to match their speed but if we play physical, we can have the edge!
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seamless Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:17 pm
@Dorian, JB should be motivated by the fact that CP took his starter job away from him at the WJC few years back.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
@seamless,
No more motivation is needed for Bernier in this game, believe me!
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Tami Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
@seamless, Actually, that was Mason who took the starter job away from him, not Price.
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Bernier needs to progress beyond his season of ‘firsts’.
This game is one of those ‘firsts’. That will help him relax and play his big-body, great position game, after all his outstanding emotions get a chance to boil away and all that’s left is for him to play LARGE…
JB may lose this game.
Either way, win or lose, it is another game of ‘firsts’ that won’t happen again.
–Play LARGE, Bernier!
Help your mates beat the hated Habs, son!
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Jb has to learn how to back up before he can take the regins! Don’t get me wrong the kid had a great year in manchester but these are big boys now… good luck jb in front of the home crowd!
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Lets go boys we need a win badly. GO KINGS GO
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I think the boys get up for this game and work that much harder for Bernie to win in his hometown. I wouldn’t doubt if this was the line of thinking TM had in the first place.
4-1 Kings. Lewis scores. 2-4 on the PP.
If I’m right, McFlurries for everyone!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
@Cynic,
That can be expensive.
Count me in!
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:45 pm
Betcha the final is 3-1, the Kings getting a first period goal waved off for disrespecting a French Canadian off-ice official during warmups…
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AZ King Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
@Cynic,
Will you ship it to me in AZ?
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I’m still waiting to see the Bernier from last year. So far he’s looked like the Bernier from ’07. I just hope he’s not like Steve Mason in Columbus. Mason had an outstanding first year and hasn’t been anywhere near as good since.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
@AZ King,
Three games played last year do not make Steve Mason’s first year in Columbus.
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AZ King Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
True, it’s probably and apples to oranges comparison. I was just think about how on fire Bernier was in those games last year, and this year he seems like a completely different player.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@AZ King,
Agree.
Just have to hope that high-visibility games like this one will get those competitive juices in JB going…
Stagger Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
@AZ King,
He came in on fire last year because he was playing every day in Manch. When either we or someone else makes him a starter again, I bet he will start to look like the JB we saw last year.
BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
@Stagger,
I fear that you are right.
But since Quick is an All-Star goalie right now, Bernier’s going to lose out on starts until he comes around.
Stagger Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy,
True. I think TM is doing the right thing with how he’s splitting the starts. I just hope JB can adjust to the back up role.
Cynic – we’re gonna hold you to that one!
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Cynic Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
@IceGuy,
Did you guys read the fine print?
(Enlarged): “Everyone to include ad nauseum but not to exceed and/or be re-adjusted to the whole number not to go past, but proceeding 6 although not limited to any number following and after 4. Number of participants eligible is limited to those individuals born on the third tuesday of every 5th leap year on a full moon that weighed over 10 lbs at birth. Eligible individuals also must have no teeth and have personally met either Rich Hammond or Juraj Mikus.
Both Rich Hammond and Juraj Mikus are exempt from these qualifications although Rich hammond must prove he is really Rich Hammond.
Let it be known I do not make promises I cannot keep. ;0)
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 3:15 pm
@Cynic,
…Toothless?
For a McFlurry?
Can’t gum an M&M McFlurry. The M&M colors run together before you can suck them down…
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Channel your inner Hrudey like it’s still ’93 JB!! Oh hang on, maybe not…;)
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Does JB dream in French or English. And is he playing for Montreal or the kings?
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Bill M. Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
@Kings x, He speaks in english but everyone else speaks to him in french.
And I’ll let you know which team he was playing for once I get a look at the final score.
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Bernier better play the game of his life, the Kings haven’t seen speed like this team before??
the Habs are fast up front. Get moving now don’t wait till game time.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
November 24th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@Harty,
Phoenix (now ahead of the Kings) is plenty fast.
With Mitchell and Poni out, think some the Alec Martinez skill will show up tonight.
Besides, don’t you think Drew Doughty will be up for this game, after the fire hydrant pivot move pulled on him in the game two years ago beat the Kings in another high-profile game?
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Good luck JB. I’ll be hollerin’ for every big save tonight.
For next time, let me give you some Joel Quennville advice. Turn off the cell phone, tell the family and friends that you have work to do.
After the win, there will be plenty of time to celebrate.
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He ain’t looking so good, eh?
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