Get yourself accustomed to seeing Jonathan Quick. A lot of him. Terry Murray hinted at this a couple weeks ago, but confirmed today that the goalie plan he had set in place during the summer, through the end of December, is now out the window. There’s a new plan: play Quick. It’s not a surprise, really, given Quick’s play, Jonathan Bernier’s somewhat-shaky play and the upcoming schedule, in which the Kings don’t play back-to-back games again until Dec. 26-27 and, three times before then, have at least two days of rest between games.
Quick has been solid throughout the season, and Bernier hasn’t exactly been weak, but there’s certainly a noticeable difference between Quick and Bernier. Quick enters tonight’s game with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage, while Bernier has a 3.30 GAA and a .889 save percentage. Here’s what Murray said today about the new “plan” in goal…
MURRAY: “I had it penciled in, through the start of January, and I’ve erased everything. With the schedule being what it is right now, I’m looking at Quick playing a majority of those games. I like the way, though, that Bernier is practicing, the way his game is coming together again in the drills. So I’m not going to leave him sitting there the rest of the month and not give him some opportunities. We have some games coming up that I’m going to take a look at, certainly post-Christmas. There are four (games) in five nights. We’ve got to do something there.”
To be fair, Bernier has had to adjust to something new. For the past couple seasons, he has grown accustomed to playing two or three games a week. Now, it has been roughly once a week, if that. Still, there have been flaws in Bernier’s game — particularly in terms of dealing with traffic, and rebound control — that have required some work with the goalie coaches.
MURRAY: “Kim Dillabaugh was here last week, and he and Kim have had a very good relationship the last couple years in Manchester. Billy (Ranford) goes down there too, but predominantly it is Kim who is there. So spending three days with him was good, just in reviewing some of his games and talking and technicalities and getting on the ice early. Billy is taking the goalies out early, to get some focus on the fundamentals of the game. Again, I talk about it with our forwards too. It’s a matter of 15 feet, here and there. It’s a matter of inches with the goaltender. Laterally, staying a little too deep in the net instead of coming out to the top of the crease. It’s a matter of six, seven inches. So he’s got to focus on that. Again, there’s conversations with the goalie coaches about it, and he’s working at it. He’s getting very focused on improving and getting those fundamentals down.”
It was also pointed out to Murray that the schedule, in the short term, sets up well for Quick. In January, the Kings play 10 of 13 games at home and play only one set of back-to-back games. February is brutal, but that’s getting way ahead of ourselves…
MURRAY: “I think a lot of it is going to be dictated, too, by how Bernier is going to play in the games, as we get him going back into games. If we’re seeing that player that I anticipated, then I can place him in games and give Quick that rest that we talked about in the summer time. I’m going to be very aware of how things went at the end of the year last year, as far as the number of games. The intensity of the game picks up, and I’ll try to be very aware, again, of the importance of rest as we get into the heavy part of the schedule, post-All-Star break and the middle of January.”
Sounds good to me! I love Bernier’s calm demeanor in stressfull situations, but the boys feel more comfortable with Quickie behind them- and rightly so. Good luck tonight boys. GKG!
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Jamer Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
@SBkingsfan, Good plan–Bernier can play left wing on the first line when he is not playing goal…………(sic)
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I dig Bernier, and I believe in him – but I have no problem with this coaching decision. WE NEED WINS.
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If the Kings aren’t going to use him, maybe the Kings should swap Bernier with Zatkoff and give him a chance to shore up his game and work the change into real game action.
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KC23 Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Would Bernier have to clear waviers?
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Action Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
@KC23,
No, he hasn’t been in the league long enough or played enough games.
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Action Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:04 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
I think that’s what last season was for. He dominated the AHL last year, so I don’t think there’s much point in sending him back there. Just because he’s not getting as much game action as we maybe had thought doesn’t mean he needs to start.
I don’t think having him work on his game at Kings practice hurts him at all, and I don’t think it’s less productive than starting at the AHL level. Besides, how comfortable could the staff be if Quick goes down and they need to throw Zatkoff in?
Just my opinion on the matter.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
@Action, Last season didn’t seem to work. He needs a chance to work on what he’s adjusting. I think they’ll be just as good with Zatkoff as a disoriented Bernier.
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Action Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:08 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
What didn’t work about it? He was the best goalie in the league.
I think he’s just adjusting on being a full-time NHLer. I think he’ll come around, and with Quick being lights out, I figure we can let him take his time for now.
Rene Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
@Action,
I agree. He just needs to get through this mental challenge. Bernier is no longer an AHL goalie.
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AZ King Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Bernier doesn’t need more work in the AHL. He needs to get used to the NHL level traffic in his crease. I actually think returning him to the AHL would be counter-productive.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
@AZ King, Well, he’s not going to get used to it on the bench, now, is he?
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AZ King Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 3:22 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
No, he needs to get into games. My point is he is not going to improve on that weakness playing in the AHL.
Dominick Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
Usually I agree with you, but in this case, Bernier has to learn the back up role before he can be a #1.
Sending him down to work on things won’t teach him what he needs to learn now. He has to learn to play through it, with the team he does have. If he ever wants to be a #1 he has to learn how to play sporadically, and against elite teams.
If his problem is that he has to constantly play, to be good, then that’s a hurdle he’ll have to overcome, so that he’ll be consistant no matter how much he plays.
I don’t think so. Has he played three seasons or 180 games since his first NHL contract?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
That was a response to KC23, above…don’t know how it got here.
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We need wins for now, but, i hope bernier gets a start sometime soon so we dont have another ersberg situation
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Action Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
@raitis,
I hear ya, but as long as Johnny Q doesn’t start 70+ this season, I think we can avoid that
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raitis Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
@Action,
Hope so,
Felt bad for ersberg when he got put in, then taken right out and quick back in
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raitis Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
@raitis, game 5? i think
lets ride JQ till the team has a few wins under their belt and then probably play JB
GO KINGS GO KINGS WIN TONIGHT 4-2
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Dominick Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 4:07 pm
@gmo,
2 goals for Detroit will be exceptable, as long as they don’t score on the powerplay. 4-2 GO KINGS GO!
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And here goes the Stanley Cup hope…
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Action Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
@white_jack,
huh?
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raitis Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
@Action,
i think hes saying quick will be burnt out because TM isnt sticking to the goalie plan from before, could be wrong
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MR King Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
@white_jack, Yeah the Kings are TOTALLY out of the playoff race at 9th place after 1/4 of the season gone.
Good grief, Charlie Brown.
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Michael J. Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
@MR King,
I don’t want to sound like a math geek (which I am not), but after looking at the conference standings the Kings are actually 6th in the West based on points-per-game. Kings have 4 games in hand vs. Chicago and Quacks, plus 1 in hand vs. Colorado.
The sky hasn’t fallen after all!
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Dominick Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
@Michael J., NICE!
bernier just has to be better…i think he’s getting there but slowly….
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Action Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
@rontheking,
Agreed. I think we sometimes forget that goalie development is often a very fickle thing with a lot of “two steps forward, one step back” kind of happenings. I’m not worried about him.
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Arg! I traded for Bernier on my fantasy team a few weeks ago, at least I have Quick. Let’s go Kings!
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
@Hutch, JB will get better and Quick hate to say this but he will leave us soon when his Contract goes away
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Michael J. Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
@KingsFanFTW, Not a chance…
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Michael J. Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@Michael J.,
… about Quick leaving.
i wonder if there is any good offers for Bernier right now….i would take my chances with Quick and a different back up
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KC23 Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
@neil, Word is there is very little demand and a lot of supply for backup type goalies atm.
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AZ King Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:40 pm
@neil,
Why are people so interested in trading away out future?
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neil Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
@AZ King, if your future is on the bench and you dont have enough wingers then i would trade from a position of strength….
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Michael J. Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
@neil,
Great idea! Your idea reminds me of the Falcons’ brilliant trade of that quarterback they drafted from Southern Miss after a few bad games his rookie season.
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You don’t want zats for bernier….zats looks like trash. I have only seen maybe two games so far where he looks even somewhat with it. I am hoping after last nights 7-2 loss they will finally start Jones more. You guys want someone to watch take a look at Martin Jones!!
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raitis Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
@kingsfaninNH,
anywhere to watch them?
besides actually being there
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Bernier hasn’t impressed me one bit going back all the way to last years debut (You can thank the D for his win). I like this decision and hopefully Bernier can get his rebound control going as well as the other issues TM is talking about. Good luck.
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AZ King Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
@JayMiller,
Sorry no. Last year Bernier was awesome in the 3 games he played in.
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:13 pm
@AZ King,
Agreed.
JB was not only great for the Kings, he was superb in the AHL playoffs, and nearly got the Monarchs into the Calder Cup Finals single-handedly over the eventual repeat champs Hershey Bears.
Last year, JB’s rebound control was superb, as was his positioning. Quite frankly, I’m shocked at this year’s problems. He seems to be more athletic this year, bending low and to the side, and it’s hurting his fundamentals. I think he will eventually be a great NHL goalie.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, JQ is a very very great goalie JB is our Future good goalie hope he will control that rebounds that only thing that not impressing me how can u win if u cant hold the puck like his dear life depends on it
team really needs the W’s now so hard to fault riding the hot goalie.
But it’s better to risk losing a few down the stretch with a bumming Bernier, than burning out Quick into the playoffs. But hey Stauber did OK the first round back in ’93 no?
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The standings are really tight right now and you can’t afford to give up any points. We can go with Quick for awhile and rest him down the stretch once the standings start opening up.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
@DesertKing, i know but still got more those teams that are up will go down the standing are not as what they will be in the last couple of months of season before playoff starts some times will be there and some teams wont just hope the Kings get in there or will be a back step for us
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I hope Quick won’t be burnt out. He is going to be busy with a Dangerous Red WIngs Tongiht.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 2:32 pm
@DaKingBaby!!, i know lucky there a four day break for th ekings relax Quick after this game
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here we go again!
this is the same thing TM did last year, and i hate it… Yes Jon Quick is playing great, and Bernier is shaky… but my plan is the best of all
Play Quick until he loses a game, then put Bernier in..
Play Bernier until he loses a game, then put Quick in..
done and done.
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KC23 Reply:
December 4th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
@mike, The King may have lost 2 games with Quick in net, but Quick has never lost us a game yet. The Kings have won with Bernier in net, but Bernier has yet to win us a game. So your plan is right on track. :p
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Good luck tonight Quick. Win or lose, make us proud.
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are you kidding me I’ve been saying this for over 3 weeks
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