Jonathan Quick is slotted to get the start when the Kings face Pittsburgh on Thursday, but given that the Kings face back-to-back games on Saturday (at Washington) and Sunday (at Philadelphia) and another set of back-to-back games the next week, it’s likely that Jonathan Bernier will get in a couple games during the rest of the road trips. The Kings, it seems, are becoming increasingly confident with that. Bernier, after a somewhat rocky start, has been stronger of late. He has allowed two or fewer goals in three consecutive starts, but only has a 1-2-0 record because he suffered losses by scores of 2-1 and 1-0 (in a shootout). Here’s what Terry Murray had to say about Bernier’s recent play…
MURRAY: “At the halfway mark here, he’s starting to be more of a seasoned pro at the NHL level. He went through a time where he wasn’t playing a lot. Bill (Ranford) came in and worked with him. Kim (Dillabaugh) worked with him. They spent quite a bit of time on the ice and on video, reviewing his game. That’s all part of the process, when you’re a first-year player, to start to figure it out at this level. There’s a different gear that you have to get to, to play in the NHL. Even if you’ve had great success in the American Hockey League, everything is a little bit faster and a little bit harder. That’s the mental adjustment that you have to make, and I think he’s getting there right now.”
Really hope the kid continues to get strong as we head into the playoffs. Plenty of teams out there with confidence in their starter. How many teams out there have a backup goalie that is himself capable of stealing games? Pretty much just us and Boston…
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Token Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 1:40 pm
@Bill M., I like Bernier, the losses he took were lost by the whole team, not because he was playing poorly.
I love the fact that he is not a full butterfly goalie, but stands his ground “old school”.
He will be a great starter somewhere in the league before long.
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puck73 Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
@Token, Agreed. Wonder what New Jersey would be willing to give up to get him ?
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dMan Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
@puck73, I may be wrong, but I highly doubt Lombardi would trade Bernier anytime soon.
They’ve invested too much into Bernier to trade him – that’s not what Lombardi is about. Highly doubtful Bernier is traded anytime soon.
Detroit Sons Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
@Token, Sorry, but what era old school are you talking about? To me he is way new school and just another cookie cutter goaltender and even though I like Quick also, he really reminds me of Kelly Hrudy. When you talk “old school” you have to go back to the early 90′s and back.
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i think a “somewhat rocky start” was being a little nice, he just flat out stunk, good to see him seemingly starting to get his game back.
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Dude Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@brymaster1, Rocky start is the appropriate words to give a 22yr old rookie goaltender. Flat out stunk would be right for a veteran who had nothing more to learn
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FM3 Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@Dude, Totally agree.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
@Dude,
Also totally agree. I think going from the AHL and playing every game to the NHL and MAYBE playing once a week really played on his mind and he had to get used to that.
Great to see him adjusting to it all, unfortunately the team has let him down a few times.
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KC23 Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:04 pm
@Dude, Agreed.
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More than half of the challenge at this level is mental. We all saw it with Quick’s rather abrupt disappearance during the second half of last season. This year, the plague seems to have struck Kopiter and Brown. Bernier, after a very shaky first half, finally seems to be in the groove again. By the time the Kings’ next home stand rolls around, we’re going to be the team in the west that no one wants to see on their upcoming schedule.
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I like Bernier. I have a more vested interest in Quick because the heat I took when he had his 1rst season here. Bernier has had it light in comparison.
I envision the both of them battling on equal ground for the right to be the undisputed franchise goaltender for the Kings in a few years, but for now I’m happy to wait and see how things develope.
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puck73 Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
@Dominick, Good take, Concur.
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Kingsfanone Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:05 pm
@Dominick,
That’s how I feel too.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
@Dominick, Count me in a swell; I’ve defended Westgarth thisd season thew way I defended JQ before. Now if Westie can only prove me right like JQ did…::crossing fingers::
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He is playing better and better he just needs more playing time. I think the team has more confidence in him now. He is going to be a great goaltender. They should play him more. Then they can trade him. Honestly, are we going to keep 2 great goaltenders? Are we going to use up quick for a couple of years and trade him? Who knows but after another year or two I imagine one of them will be gone.
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puck73 Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@slaymon, No one is untradeable…that being said, the question I would ask another GM is obvious…Whattya got ?
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slaymon Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
@puck73, i hope we get something good for either of them. I would hope that we trade bernier over quick. Finally after all these years we get a guy who can actually do the job in quick. Even though I really like Bernier and I’m sure if he is traded we will regret it, i’d rather trade a guy who has some hype, but no results, over the real thing. I just compare it to a poker game. We have a good hand now in goal and can bluff a bit after drawing low cards and no pairs for ten years.
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Detroit Sons Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 8:53 pm
@slaymon, I think it will all be decided on how Marty Jones and Zatkoff pan out.
Not many people will refer to this but when Quick came up and played half the games his 1st season with the club he was absolutely brilliant and because of that he gave the Kings a chance to win every night. Granted that team was miserable, but Quick definitely gave the organization a shot in the arm and because of that we have a rock we can rely on. That being said, goaltending is like pitching and you can never have enough of it. Bernier gave us spark last year in Quick’s absence and he needs to get back to that form.
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I like the way Bernier’s game has come around over the past several starts.
His play seemed amateurish at times during the 1st half of the season. Rebound control was poor.
His play was closer to what LaBarbara was giving us, than what he gave us last year.
Since then he looks like he’s starting to get comfortable. that’s a huge advantage for the Kings down the stretch. As we saw last year..Quick can’t play every game down the stretch without it affecting him at some point. If they can count on bernier giving a solid effrot each time he gets out there, we’ll be set for the playoffs.
as far as the talk of trading one or the other. There’s absolutely no need. I believe Bernier’s playing under a rookie contract. You’re not going to find anything better for that price out on the market, so why weaken yourself in one of the most important areas of the game?
We’ve all seen what happens when you don’t have a goalie you can count on. (life as a Kings fan pre Quick)
If DL was thinking about moving Bernier, it would have to be in a package for one of the elite players in the game..nothing less.
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puck73 Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 3:49 pm
@nykingfan, Agree, if I am giving you Bernier in a deal, then I want to hear names like..Nash, Malkin, Parise etc, if not ..FORGET IT !
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Anyone notice that his plat started getting better when he was getting regular playing time? All the kid needed was to get in his groove and he will be better the more he plays.
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Corey Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 3:46 pm
@danny, THANK YOU! totally agree.. The more games he gets the better he would have played.. Also we scored on him a few times ourselves in the beginning of the season, and to be honest we did not play our best games as a team when he was in net, Not very fair.. I am VERY CONFIDENT in bernier, I love his style, and he will win us some more games when he gets in net.
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Detroit Sons Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 8:57 pm
@Corey, I’ll take “The Quick” over Bernier in a shootout any where, any time and any shooter. JB has a lot to figure out there, now if he was the starter ( which isn’t going to happen any time soon) then he could make his book first hand, but it’s pretty tough looking at video.
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puck73 Reply:
February 8th, 2011 at 4:06 pm
@danny, I tend to agree with that assesment.
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Start him for the Washington game when the defence is fresh and play Quick the day after agaist Philly
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2010-11 NHL Rule 11.2
gKg!
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We waste too much time talking about our goalies (in my opinion). Quick is the clear #1 and Bernier a solid back-up…perfect scenario. Our attention should be on getting more offense. In all levels of hockey and especially in the NHL – the special teams are so important. The Kings need to raise their PP percentage to be a serious contender. Not for nothing – but I don’t want to just make the playoffs this year. To be a cup contender – we need to be proficient in all areas – particularly the PP. Kopitar is a proven scorer and the fact that he is not scoring a lot of goals now gives me cause for optimism for the future. As Pete Rose said – “you are what you are”. So if Kopitar is a a 30 plus goal scorer (not sure of my facts) then he will get at least 30 plus this year.
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Detroit Sons Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 8:58 pm
@Dawg, Right on Dawg …. BUT….. we still need the guy THAT CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN.
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Kings will be good team for many years to come because of all the right moves made by Dean. We have alot of young talent. Kings must find perfect fit for topline this year to be a cup contender team. GO Kings GO.
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