Quick gets chance to bounce back

Among NHL goalies who have played at least 20 games this season, 23 have a goals-against average of 2.56 or lower. The Kings have two of them, in Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier. Quick will get the call tomorrow against Vancouver, coming off a game in which he allowed six goals in two-plus periods against Detroit, even though Bernier recorded a 25-save shutout of Phoenix last night. As you can read below, Terry Murray made it clear that he won’t hesitate to use both goalies in tight games down the stretch — as opposed to last season, when Erik Ersberg got exactly one start after Feb. 11 — but Murray said there wasn’t a lot of debate as to which goalie to start against the Canucks…

MURRAY: “No, it’s not really a tough decision. It’s the decision you make. I could easily have stuck with Bernier. I really liked his performance last night. He was feeling things. But it’s very important, here, that I understand that Quick had a tough game, but he’s always had that great ability to bounce back, and has played Vancouver — through last year — very good, in the playoffs. He has a good feel for them, so Quick will get the call.”

Question: The fact that Bernier’s numbers have improved of late, does that increase your confidence, in terms of the likelihood of him starting games down the stretch?

MURRAY: “And I will. He will keep playing. Both will keep playing here, through this difficult month. It’s very intense. Every game is very meaningful. We’re playing every second day, and now we have a (road) trip here in front of us, so both goaltenders are going to play as we keep going through this heavy part of the schedule. And you’re right. There’s no doubt that his [Bernier’s] play has allowed me to say that, very comfortably.”

Question: And Quick has shown that ability, in the past, to bounce back from tough games…

MURRAY: “He always has. I really like that about his personality and his game. Whether it’s a game or just a goal in a game, he has been able to come back, and the next grade-A chance against, he has made that save. It’s just part of the process you go through. Everybody has that game that you want to have over again. He will have his opportunity to get back at it tomorrow.”