As had been expected in recent days, Jonathan Bernier will start in goal on Saturday when the Kings play Nashville. Jonathan Quick will start his eighth consecutive game tonight, and Bernier hasn’t appeared in a game since the Nov. 24 loss to Montreal. That means Bernier will have gone 24 days between appearances. Previously this season, the longest he had gone between games was 10 days. Murray previously had declared that he would ride Quick for a while, but back-to-back games, particularly on the road, are naturals for a backup goalie. Bernier is 2-5-0 with a 3.30 goals-against average and a .889 save percentage this season, but he made 25 saves in a 4-1 victory over Nashville on Nov. 6 at Staples Center. Last season, he recorded a shutout in Nashville.
MURRAY: “It’s just time for Bernier to get in. He’s been working very hard at his game. He’s been putting a lot of attention to practice. The goalie coaches have been around a couple times now, to give him a little refocus on some of the technical sides of the game, and he’s ready to get playing.”
Perhaps a new look will get Bernier going in the right direction. He has shaved the mustache and beard he had been sporting since the start of the season.
get em bernier! You got a ton of talent ! Shutout? Haha
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AZ King Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
@Guss,
I’d be happy with a solid 60 minute game and a win.
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Guss Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
@AZ King, Oh yes gotta have the W
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Sweet, a game a game against an opponent he has consistently dominated in the past. This should really boost him up for the next time he gets in a game.
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bmova Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
@RabidZiggy, I don’t know if I’d call 2 wins in 2 games, albeit one SO, consistent domination.
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RabidZiggy Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
@bmova, You may have a point there…I should probably amend it to say an opponent he has played well against, although he does have a combined GAA of .5 and a combined SV% of .983% against them.
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Kinda what I figured. Hope he looks sharp.
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Having Mitchell back should be a big help to him.
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puck73 Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
@DesertKing, Agreed. He is big help to everybody.
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I’m 110% fine with this.
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What we need now is a goalie controversy, as Bernier raises the level of his play to that of Quick.
Hey I can dream can’t I?
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Bernier will get better and better this season if he doesnt then i have no hope in him to be number one
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
@KingsFanFTW, dude what’s up
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I’m expecting a 50+ shot shutout, Bernier.
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Shakes Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 2:10 pm
@MR King,
anything less would be a complete failure
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Time is now to shine, so many expectations and the few looks we’ve had this year have been mixed. Get ‘er done!
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No stache, no doubt a victory. Far less wind resistance for those face saves.
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Doughty99 Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
@wavesinair,
Disagree! His beard was awesome
The beard alone stopped 21 of 22 shots in a Monarch’s game last year.
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Who knows if we’ll ever see Bernier dominate anything with the amount of play time he actually gets. I bet if Quick was the one playing the same amount of games as Bernier, he wouldn’t look that great either.
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totally off topic! but im sitting here at work seriuosly bored and i was wondering just how bad the devils individually are doing this year. look at these stats, pretty damn dismal if you ask me. And for a Team that has been known for there defense for many years, the +/- is pathetic! remember also these are there point leaders.
2010-2011 REGULAR SEASON SKATERS: GP G A +/- Pts
P. Elias 29 6 15 -6 21
I. Kovalchuk 29 7 9 -17 16
J. Arnott 30 9 6 -7 15
T. Zajac 30 3 12 -4 15
D. Zubrus 30 4 9 -11 13
J. Langenbrunner 22 3 8 -11 11
A. Greene 30 2 8 -18 10
D. Clarkson 30 4 3 -13 7
M. Tedenby 15 3 4 0 7
Z. Parise 12 3 3 -1 6
GOALIES: W L OT Sv% GAA
M. Brodeur 5 12 1 .903 2.68
J. Hedberg 4 6 1 .905 2.94
POOR DEVILS!!! I really have no sympathy though.
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Get’em Bernie. The team is hot, and you got everybody except Greener. The guys will help you look good tonite Buddy!
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Deke'r Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
@Badger57, Blues tonight….Quicker’s game.
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Actually, when he’s playing well, Murray should give Bernier 3 or 4 games in a row so he can really get his game together. Plus, an extended break would be good for Quick. Give him some time to really relax and recharge.
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puck73 Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 2:30 pm
@BallPointHammer, 4 in a row ? uhh no.
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BallPointHammer Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
@puck73,
uhh why not?
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puck73 Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 2:58 pm
@BallPointHammer, Why not ? What has he done so far to warrant 4 in a row ? Now,if he should by chance shutout Nashville on Saturday, I could see 2 in a row, but remember this..Quick hasnt played bad enough yet for someone like Bernier to play that many games in a row unless Quick went down with an injury. Bottom line, Quick is the starter and he has more then earned it so far. Also, if Bernier wants more playing time, then he is going to have to make the most of it when he gets in there so TM will have no hesitation about playing him a little bit more. And finall this, with both Mitchell, and Scuderi in the lineup at the same time, and the fact that the Kings lead the league in fewest goals allowed, Bernier will never have a better chance to succeed then right now !
KingsFan in OC Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
@BallPointHammer, I thought the same thing. Even give him both games of a back to back. I haven’t looked, but I don’t know if he has played a back to back in the NHL yet. See how he does.
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Would have much rather seen Bernie face the Blues… the Preds are on a roll at the moment. Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire! Go get ‘em Bernie….GO KINGS!
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Kostamojen Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
@Deke’r, cept you want to give Bernier a game when we have back-to-backs. So the choice is either the Predators on Saturday or the Blackhawks on Sunday. Nashville is on a streak right now, so this should be a good test for Bernier. Let’s bring it up now Bernie!
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Deke'r Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 1:53 pm
@Kostamojen, True that….but would rather have given Quick some rest and let him handle the back to backs. Maybe that’s why I’m not a coach!
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I hope they collected all of Bernier’s facial hair and proceeded to burn it in a ritualistic manner to ward off any looming effects of Movember.
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Good. As well as Quick is playing, he needs to get some days off. I still think that Bernier has the skills to be a really good goaltender but the limited ice time makes it difficult to get in a grove.
I agree with one of the posters above, having Willie back should help him out as well. And the improved play from DD wouldn’t hurt either.
GKG!
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rontheking Reply:
December 16th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
@vplaza,
agree…bernier has to continue to play and continue to improve for the kings to have a chance in the postseason….
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GO BERNIER!!!
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