Jonathan Quick will make his 51st start of the season tonight. After tonight, the Kings have 10 games remaining, including one set of back-to-back games and one two-game road trip, so it’s reasonable to assume that, if things continue as planned, Quick will end up with 59 regular-season starts. That’s exactly where Terry Murray wanted Quick to end up. Quick made a franchise-record 70 starts last season, and afterward Murray indicated that it had been too much, and that he wanted to limit Quick to 60 starts. Over a six-month season, things rarely go according to plan, but so far, this one has. Jonathan Bernier’s strong recent play has made it easier for Murray to give Quick some rest, and Murray said he is pleased that things have worked out thus far…
MURRAY: “There was a stretch there, in the season, when we were going with Quick a lot. That was a bit of a change from the plan coming into the start of the year. That’s the way it goes though. You’ve got to make those adjustments. I’m happy that it is working out, with that number of games. I think that’s a clear message that he’s our No. 1 guy. He has played very well for us all year long. It’s going to help him be a physically stronger player at the end of the season. Emotionally, he has to tell me how he’s doing, and clearly he’s saying that he feels good, and fresher, and we’re going to have a better player because of it.
“That’s been the purpose of going about business the way we have, with both goaltenders splitting the most recent games. So that’s a good thing for us, because I want to start to go more now with Quick, as we get to the stretch here, and have the big bulk of the responsibility on his shoulders. … The game today, it’s a very demanding schedule. It seems to be more compressed today than ever, a lot of travel of course, and every game is such an important game that if you start to go with a young player — and we’re talking about two young goaltenders here — I think if you put that kind of workload on a young goaltender, as I did last year with 70-plus games, it becomes a little too demanding. So this is a good thing, that we have Bernier. He’s really stepped up his game. I love the way that he has improved his game in the second half here. He has played in, and won, some very big games. It’s two guys working hard for the team, and it will help everybody stay refreshed.”
well at least he sticking with his plan lets hope the Boys Get back on their feet they still not in the playoff spot for sure
Keep the hard work we want to see the Kings in back to back in the playoff
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I don’t think it has EVER been a question that Quick is our #1. TM can’t help himself mentioning it every time the goalie situation comes up….
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
@NoDoughty, I think he has to because he’s sent so many mixed messages.
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Let’s hope Quick steps up his game down the stretch here… especially tonight.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
@Stone, He already has. His last 20 games or so have been a big step up.
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Quicker is going to be good and frustrated from the last game….and he always rocks the house after a loss. Great game tonight boys, look for our boys to get some redemption from the St.Louise game.
Hope Cliffy gets to feelin better real fast.
Lets get that second line clicking.
GKG !!
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“I love it when a plan comes together”
Hannible, 1977, ABC’s sitcom the A team.
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wavesinair Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@Dominick,
I ain’t gettin on no plane fool!
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Puckn-A Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@Dominick, That was in the 80′s dude.
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wavesinair Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 2:54 pm
@Puckn-A,
Yeah, 5 seasons from ’83-’87 also a movie last year.
A team quote talking about hockey strategy:
Hannibal: B.A., there’s an old saying – “The best defense is a good offense.”
B.A. Baracus: You got that wrong, man. A good offense is the best defense.
Hannibal: Okay, have it your way.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
@Dominick, I was about to say I pitty the fool that messes with Clifford, but, well…
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Based on points and games played, I consider Calgary and the Ducks the two teams outside the playoffs looking in who still have a chance… so a regulation win in both of the next two games would go a LONG way to securing the Kings’ berth. This game is huge!
I hadnt realized the last game had bothered me so much until I had a nightmare that the Ducks led tonight after the first period 5-1. Imagine the boos then, huh, TM?
GKG! Your season is in these two games!
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I’m surprised he’s going with Quick after Bernier was so good against the ducks last time, and given Quick’s tough night on Thursday. OTOH, Quick should have a chip on his shoulder and come focused (he also came focused on Thursday, the team just gave him zero help; the late soft goals were irrelevant to the outcome). Quick should bounce back just fine, hopefully the team is ready to do so to give him some help this time around.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
@Naturallawyer, Yup. Quick was great when it counted. He kept the team in the game for two periods even though the team only put six shots on net. I expect him to be just as good as he was at the start of the last game.
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neil Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, So it didnt count when Quick gave up two soft goals???
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@neil, No, it didn’t. The Kings lost 4-0. The winning goal was scored in the first period. The “two soft goals” would have meant something if the Kings had bothered to score any goals at all.
Good read for TM and DD any anyone who thinks the LA fans are tough:
http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/GQ-ranks-Montreal-Canadiens-fans-among-worst-in-;_ylt=AjJHzELHBXN8tLvNrZjHQmB7vLYF?urn=nhl-wp643
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Dominick Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
@bbb7, Yeah, I’d rank them pretty low. I made a comment the other day about them Booing during the singing of Americas national anthem. When I saw it I thought “what a bunch of pompous, self entitled, wannabe frenchmen”. Would love to see them in the finals if we ever make it, if for anything then to exact revenge for 93′.
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KC23 Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 2:35 pm
@Dominick, Wouldn’t that be sweet.
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mcsorleyfan Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 3:58 pm
@Dominick, very sweet.
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Interesting that every team in the Pacific (aka Smythe, for Bob) Division has gotten 13 or 14 points in their last 10 games. It’s why there’s still no separation!
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looking forward to next season too Bernier and Quick will be battling for the number one caus ei believe next season Bernier will be able to take that number one spot right under Quick if Quick doesnt play that good
We got both good Goalies but there only can be 1 number one Goalie
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Dominick Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
Eventually. I’m content to let them fight it out for a few more years if possible. If we give them both a mill each on contract extensions we’re still only paying roughly 5 mill for both goalies. Clearly the league average, and we still have the best duo in the NHL.
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DellaNooch Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@KingsFanFTW, With the numbers Quick put up this year and will probably do the same next year, Bernier will have to be vezina quality to take the job away.
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Dominick Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@DellaNooch, Agreed. That would be the next level as far as I’m concerned.
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Are any of you guys concerned about the natural chemistry of the 2nd line? Just curious.
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KC23 Reply:
March 19th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
@number 6, Our #2 line is the biggest concern by far right now. Smyth especially. His stats the last 20 games are scarey.
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Leaving soon for the game and looking forward to a bounce back victory. Winning goal tonight by Lewis.
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