My LAKings.com feature this week takes a look at Jonathan Quick, who has helped the Kings back to the playoffs. The conventional wisdom last season was that Quick wore down late in the season because of overuse. Goalie coach Bill Ranford disagrees. For more on that, and Quick’s thoughts on what he learned from last season’s playoff run, please check out the feature. Thanks for reading…
At age 25, Jonathan Quick has already seen just about everything
I always disagreed as well, though…he has been much better this season coming back after a one game rest. You can’t argue with the results.
You look around the NHL, and the starting goaltenders are playing many many more games than he has.
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 9:56 am
@mrbrett7,
His starts seem to have been distributed differently than last year, though. Last season, it seemed Quick would routinely go 15-20 games without a break. This year, particularly in the first half of the season, TM seemed inclined to let have JQ have a game off and let JB take it.
Your second point is spot on. I’ve often wondered if that’s been a factor for someone like Luongo as to why they bomb out in the playoffs. It seems to me that due to that somewhat lighter workload, Quick should be less fatigued than a lot of the other playoff goalies and primed for a long haul.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:08 am
@Capt Jam, I have a few friends who are from Vancouver, and thus, are Vancouver fans (game days against them are not fun). Anyway…it’s beena giant topic of discussion up there, and Luongo has played the least amount of games this year than he has probably since he was a rookie.
They are hoping that leads to more success come the playoffs.
I personally tend to agree in that sense, but I do believe when you have a #1 guy, like a Quick, you ride him until he breaks.
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:30 am
@mrbrett7,
Totally agree. The key is, of course, those in charge have to be honest enough, and objective enough, to know when he’s broken. In that regard, I think TM and DL did a poor job of assessing Quick’s state of mind and being last season.
Great read!
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I cannot wait for game 1!!!
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RobSD Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:16 am
@Stuart,
Game 1 is tonight!!!!
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One thing which I find to be incredible is how nice and lucky I feel as a fan to have a young stud as a goaltender. I mean very rarely does Quick not put the team in position to win every game. Does he have the random flub here and there? – sure everyone does, although his tend to be from stickhanding mixups (which we haven’t seen in a long while now) – but it’s pretty nuts how solid he is.
I mean for basically the end of the Gretzky era to now, with the exception of a year of Potvin and Huet, we’ve had absolutely nothing. the fact that the one common complaint on our team is now pretty much a total non-issue in a relatively short span is what i’m thankful for.
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Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:35 am
@Shakes, Thanks! You’ve just jinxed us. If Quick stickhandles right into a Duck I’m blaming you. LOL
Kidding, your absolutely right, and it has been a while.
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Shakes Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:26 pm
@Dominick,
oh snap.. you’re right i will take the blame. ugh. i should’ve kept my trap shut.
on a side note, from the perspective of a guy who’s never played goalie in the NHL or any proper level (thus making me fully qualified to be a respected critic and teacher of the game) it seems like half the times Quick stops the puck or goes behind the net to stickhandle, it’s not even necessary because we have a defensemen coming to collect the puck anyways. It ends up clogging the area behind the net and our defensemen can’t skate through easily. in other words most dicey situations seem to be on account of him trying to make non-essential plays.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:37 am
@Shakes, Wholeheartedly agree.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:52 pm
@Shakes, Honestly, I wouldn’t call Fiset nothing, but Quick is probably better than Fiset.
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Shakes Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
totally agree, didn’t mean to omit Fiset. Also Jamie Storr was good for a short period too
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I’m representing at the Pond tonight…yeah I still call it the Pond.
Up in the nose bleeds jersey on and chevy emblem hat in full effect.
Lets sweep the Ducks and give Dallas a shot boys.
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Shakes Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:24 am
@Dan H.,
haha, i always call it the Pond (for the record, it was pretty cool that Arrowhead was the first arena name, Arrowhead Pond sounded so perfect)…and my dad has extended that for some reason into calling the Ducks “The Ponders” ever since their first season
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kororr Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:53 am
@Dan H., Yup, I will be at the Pond as well. It used to sound so much better, whatever…GO KINGS GO
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@Dan H., Funny. “The Pond” was probably the only (semi-) cutesy things about that organization I thought “worked.”
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Dan H. Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 1:48 pm
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?,
You don’t think a statue in front of your building dedicated to your mascot is a good thing?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 1:53 pm
@Dan H., Did that yank that out too? I see video in my head not dissimilar to the toppling of the Saddam Hussein statue. LOLz!
Shakes Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 3:10 pm
@Dan H., hahaha
It would be funny if Kings fan painted it purple black and silver, kinda how SC fans do funny things to the UCLA bruin…
Great article. I’ll be there tomorow, but unfortunately can’t make it to the pond tonight. GKG!
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It’s a good day for a feature on Quick, as he’ll likely need to stand on his head tonight for the Kings to get those two points. ANA’s calling card, as we all know, is offense and to hope that they have fewer defensive lapses than their opponent. ANA is sporting a blazing power play of 39% in their last 5 games. Close down the gaps, take the body, and, above all else, stifle Perry.
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Stuart Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:18 am
@Capt Jam, somebody needs to punch carey perry in the mouth!
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mrbrett7 Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:23 am
@Stuart, I was more hoping someone would just spear him in the face, but make sure none of the refs are looking, WWE style.
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Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:24 am
@Capt Jam, Emery is questionable for tonight, and We’ve got a great PK. That being said I’m excited to see how we handle them tonight. If the lines stay the same, Simmers will get the strait ahead match up to Perry tonight. Don’t need offense from him tonight to have a big game for us. If Perry has an off night offensively Simmers will be the reason why.
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RobSD Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@Capt Jam,
The frustrating part is how bad our PP is. In our current situation if we had a semi decent PP. We would be in excellent shape. Our PP is deplorable. Not a goal since Kopi went down. Something has to give. And that means give Kompon the door.
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
@RobSD,
I’ll be honest with you guys, and I know I’m going to be in a minority of one here, but I actually like a number aspects of our power play without Kopitar in it, chief among them being that the puck no longer sits still on his stick waiting for a passing lane to magically appear. The PP was too Kopi-centric (if you know what I mean) when he anchored himself to the half boards near the top of the right circle and, thus, too predictable. As it is now, everyone on the PP generally seems intent on moving the puck or shooting it, so at least they’re forcing defenders to move and adapt. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a breakthrough at this point because I thought it looked better overall in the PHX game.
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Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 4:23 pm
@Capt Jam,
Your right on the improvements, but it actually started just before Kopi got injured. They’re trying more seem passes, and trying to create movement away from the puck. Moller is also attacking the box and trying to make them collapse. It’s coming along even though the results aren’t there yet. I also hope it breaks out soon. We could use it.
he also didn’t have a BABY this year!!! he had a baby right before playoffs.
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RobSD Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:21 am
@jkking,
Yeah… those things are annoying as hell. He probably got NO SLEEP!!! Kings should have kept him in a hotel for the whole series.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
@jkking, That was the thing I thought made the most sense explaining his lack of concentration last season (as well as the Olympic break, I suppose–he was obviously a little “off” afterward.)
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Not bad for Mr.Softie. The guy lets in less goals than almost any goaltender in the league, as far as goals allowed per game, but the ones he lets in, he gets crucified for, because our offense stinks sometimes. Even though all other goalies let in the same goals more often, he’s accused of letting in the one that cost us the game. Funny how he’s only lost 7 in regulation during his last 25. Even the perception that he’s not playing well down the stretch and needs a rest, even though he’s 16-7-2 in his last 25 games, is a harsh vote of no-confidence. Sometimes Kingsfans just don’t know how lucky they are.
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:44 am
@Dominick,
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:48 am
@Dominick,
That perception probably stems from the fact that four of those nine losses have come in his last 10 games. That’s not a good trend. Still, he has played exceedingly well for the most part.
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Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:08 am
@Capt Jam, Yeah! any of those 4 losses I wouldn’t pin on the goaltending.
His last 5 losses
Vancouver 3-1 (the team only scored 1 against the best offense team out there)
St.Louis 4-0 (everybody played poorly and the team didn’t even score)
Anahiem 2-1 (Quick only allowed 1 in regulation)
Vancouver 3-1 (again the team only scored 1)
San Jose 6-1 (everybody played poorly and the team only scored 1)
That’s spread out over 12 starts. I contend that Quick still gave us a chance to win in 3 1/2 of those losses. 3rd period against St.louis and that San Jose game were the only blow outs.
Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:14 am
@Dominick,
You can’t pin it exclusively on goaltending (that is rarely the case), but goaltending was a factor in the STL game. He was wet toast after the goal late in the second period of that one. There have been soft goals here and there in those losses. It happens.
RobSD Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:23 am
@Capt Jam,
Any other team would have won a few of those games for him. If you only score a goal or two a game… you are not helping. Other teams win games 5-4 and 6-5 all the time.
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 1:01 pm
….and…the grumbling is about going better than .500 against mostly playoff teams, to boot….
PP Anybody? Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:49 am
@Dominick, I think people jump to blame Quick sometimes, because they know he is the only reason we could possibly win some games. With our offense struggling to score a lot of the time, it becomes a heavy load for Quick to bare, seeing that if he even gives up one goal, we could lose. So, people tend to find the easiest person to blame. I for one am glad we have JQ, because he is the best goalie we’ve had in ages. He is the main reason we are now a stable, winning, up and coming club. I hope we eventually get him some more offense up front, to relieve him of all the responsibility, and to complete this team so that he can then help us win that final prize.
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Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:12 pm
@PP Anybody?, and RobSD,
I agree totally. Out of those 5 losses I listed, the Kings only scored 4 goals.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@PP Anybody?, I’m routinely accused of always jumping in to defend Quick, but I’ll say rather than “the main reason,” I’d call his play “one reason.” I’d also point out that the Kings defensive-mindedness also helps is GAA perhaps as much as it hurts his W/L record (when they don’t score for him.) Clearly, though, when the skaters properly control the sticks of players around the face-off circles and when Quick doesn’t over-handle the puck (he’s been better on this in the last 20 games or so) he’s basically solid.
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For those who want to ride the horse, I say ride him steady for 60 miles at a consecutive but decent pace…okay, so he may be a little tired and sore, but he might be all right to go another 20 miles at the same pace.
But now he has to kick it up into a higher gear and run considerably faster–that’s what the playoffs are, and that’s why it’s a disaster for a goalie who has had too much work…because that higher gear isn’t there, and trying to get it to kick in is inviting trouble and perhaps tragic injury. That was the problem last year–no matter what Ransford claims–and it shouldn’t be an issue this time around.
But I’m also glad that Bernier will be there, warm and ready if needed.
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Quick didn’t wear down. His wife had a baby and he didn’t get any sleep and the team didn’t play as well in front of him.
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:37 am
@Dave,
Excuses, excuses. The team didn’t play as well in front of him because they lost confidence in him.
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Stuart Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:56 am
@Capt Jam, so then it’s a chicken-and-egg situation… And I am a firm believer that the new born played a major role in his on-ice performance. Way too muth emotions/lack of sleep/over all change to think it would be pure excuse.
I’d bet that JQ tries his darndest to never plan a baby’s birth 1-3 months before the end of a season again… but of course, sometimes these things just happen!
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RobSD Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:45 am
@Capt Jam,
I was sitting right behind the net at all the games last year. Quick certainly let in a few bad goals but in game 4 when we had a 2 goal lead going into the 3rd and chance to be up 3-1 on the nucks… we had a major breakdown. It wasn’t Quick’s fault. That was a series breaker period.
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crazy4 hockey Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@Capt Jam,
I respectfully disagree with you that the team did not play well in front of Quick because they lost confidence in him. My personal belief is they lost confidence in themselves and their abilities and left Quick hanging out to dry in way too many games. So while you are thinking about all those “softy” goals he let in, you might try also remembering about the tons of games he stole for the Kings last year and this year when the rest of the team did not bother to show up.
That being said, this is a great group of guys who figured out a way to get the job done and now just need to keep it going in the playoffs – GO KINGS!
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No Emery at Ducks morning skate, according to Helene Elliott
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 1:09 pm
@Sebastian, Hmm…could even things up a bit with Kopi and JW out.
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Check the timing last year. It wasn’t the Olympics break–he actually got sharper directly following.
I contend it was becoming a daddy that wore him down. Probably a lot of sleep-starved nights. Any player who’s wife has a kid during the season or post-season should be shipped off to a hotel until the squirt is sleeping the night through.
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Token Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:39 am
@Rob, All that just for your entertainment? Wow, that’s a harsh position you hold there, buddy.
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Stuart Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:57 am
@Token, lol too true. Somethings (and they are few) are more important.
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RobSD Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:47 am
@Rob,
HAHA… I said the same thing.. .he should have been at a hotel for the whole series. Regardless though, it had to take a mental toll on him as well.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 1:11 pm
@Rob, He made a LOT of puck-handling errors coming out of the break. I remember commenting that he seemed to have been watching the other goaltenders’ puck-handling and tried (without practice) to incorporate some of it into his game.
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Slim Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@Rob,
Wow with this logic we would be better off
If he was gay.. That way no babies..
Then no excuses!!!
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Rob Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 2:24 pm
What, do we only get to understand our own sarcasm on this blog? Sheesh, rough crowd.
Point was (if anyone cares) I believe it was the onset of fatherhood that threw him off. And he may have had some bobbles between the break and the birth, but all I know is he was winning during that period.
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The playoffs start tonight as far as I’m concerned, time to see if Quicker makes the adjustment this year!
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:16 am
@K9,
The playoffs started a little while ago, really when we lost Kopi. Welcome!
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If Emery can’t play, who is their backup? Whatis wrong with Emery? Too much poker last night?
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Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:51 am
@DesertKing, He had some problems with his hip, and took himself out of the last game a few days ago. The Ducks traded their old back up for Ellis a few months ago, I imagine he’ll be the one we face tonight.
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:57 am
@Dominick,
Emery said it wasn’t related to his injury, but what would cause him to pull himself out of the game so suddenly for maintenance? It’s gotta be the hip. Anyone here remember Stephane Fiset’s trick groin? Damn thing had a mind of its own! LOL.
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Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:17 am
@Capt Jam,
Fiset used to be one of my worst all time till Chechmanic the depressent. LOL
Stuart Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:54 am
@Capt Jam, I remember when we first got him I had such high hopes… only to be dashed to pieces.
DesertKing Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:04 am
@Dominick,
Thanks Dom. Ellis is pretty experienced, so it may not be much of a difference.
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:20 am
@DesertKing,
Considering the year Ellis has had, being jettisoned from Tampa Bay and crashing and burning in ANA to the point that the team had take a chance on Emery, I feel much better about our chances against Ellis.
Just realized the game is going to be broadcast on KDOC. Does anybody know if the game will be in Oceanside on Cox cable? Will it be blacked out on Center Ice for those in the San Diego area? Looks like I might have to drive 70 miles just to watch the game at a fellow Kingsfans house.
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KingsFan in OC Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 10:59 am
@Dominick, Hey, I’m in San Juan Capistrano. If you can’t find anywhere to watch it, just bring a case of beer and you can have a spot on my couch!
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Stuart Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:01 am
@KingsFan in OC, a CASE??? I like your thinking!
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KingsFan in OC Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:12 am
@Stuart, Well, I have beer on tap at my house too, but I figure a case for back up. I also have a full bar, but if I am forced to tap in to the liquor it usual means things are not going well in the game.
Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:22 am
@KingsFan in OC, Thanks for the offer, but I recently broke up with my girl, and my buddy’s wife has cute friends. LOL
That almost always supecedes beer on tap.
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KingsFan in OC Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:30 am
@Dominick, I hear ya, but there are always variables with the cute friends. Beer on tap is always a sure thing. Plus, a beer doesn’t get mad at you if you have another beer at the same party!
I am definitely up for some of the road games in the playoffs! We could do our own South OC/San Diego watch party!
Stuart Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:56 am
@KingsFan in OC, “Plus, a beer doesn’t get mad at you if you have another beer at the same party!” LMOA!!!
I always liked Homer J’s philosophy “beer, the cause and solution to all life’s problems…”
And you might be onto something about that watch-party!
RobSD Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
@Dominick,
I’m in SD and have been looking for some die hards to watch some games with. I have to jump up and down in my living room alone, all too often. I drive up for the games a lot too. Time Warner also doesn’t get KDOC. It must be sold out, so I doubt center ice will be blacking it out.
robertemailone@yahoo.com
puck73 Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:09 am
@Dominick, Your welcome to watch it at my house Dommer in Costa Mesa on the 55 inch Samsung in Hi Def !
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Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:24 am
@puck73, If you guys are interested, lets make some plans for the roadgames in the playoffs. defrim65@yahoo.com
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KingsFan in OC Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 1:21 pm
@Dominick, Oceanside or San Clemente might be a good middle meeting place for a South OC/San Diego playoff watch party. OC Tavern in San Clemente would probably do something for a group of us if we wanted to do that. Might be fun to get a bunch of Kings fans together for a game. I don’t like driving up to Long Beach or somewhere in LA to watch a game at a bar. Kind of tough for us way down South here.
Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
KingsFan in OC,
I know right where that is, right off the 5 freeway 1 exit passed the base. Great place to get some fans together.
Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:41 am
@puck73,
KDOC doesn’t do hi-def, do they? Wow, I’m totally missing out on those Seinfeld re-runs then. LOL.
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bmova Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:11 pm
@Capt Jam, KDOC actually does do Hi-Def; I have it with Time Warner.
Slim Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
@Capt Jam, KDOC has Hi Def but it isn’t being broadcast in HD
even on there HD channel..Weird..
Ducks Insider Helene reports that Todd Marchant is questionable tonight with the flu. This would be a great time for Marchant to high five and shakes hands with all his teammates.
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Well, I’m quite sure he hasn’t seen everything at 25… Going DEEP into the Stanley Cup Playoffs would be on my list of experiences for Mr Quick… No better time than the present!
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Quick is an awesome goalie. We are very fortunate to have him. I think his maturity shows in his playing. He’s got an awesome work ethic and comes to play. He’s off some nights but no one’s going to bat 1000. He may well go on to become one of the NHL’s all time great goalies.
Keep up the good work Quick we’ll need it down the stretch!
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Interesting fact about Quicks 16 wins in his last 25 starts. He’s only given up more than 3 once, and that was in a shoot out win over San Jose. The other 15 wins, Quick only allowed 2 or less.
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Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 11:57 am
my bad, that shoot out win he only gave up 3. Kings won 4-3.
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Capt Jam Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
@Dominick,
Didn’t he give up 4 in SJ the other night?
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Dominick Reply:
April 8th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
@Capt Jam, That wasn’t a win.
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Hopefully Doughty is on his game tonight and can make that sliding butterfly style save lol
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Great article. Quick’s inactivity during the Olympics was a topic at the time. It’s interesting how we all forgot about that once the “not enough rest” theory gained ground. Ranford obviously situated where he can see the little things that we can’t.
However, I’m sorry to be a diction dork, Rich, but I question your use of “nonplussed”…
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that’s nice……idc though! give Bernier one more game
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