This much we know: Jonathan Quick will start tomorrow against the Rangers. As for Saturday against Buffalo, stay tuned. Terry Murray said during training camp that he might be more inclined to go with the “hot hand” in goal this season, rather than having a strict schedule for the goalies. The Kings are in a unique situation here. They play tomorrow and Saturday, but then not again until Thursday, so it could reasonably go either way, with Quick starting both games or with Jonathan Bernier getting the call against Buffalo on Saturday. Here’s what Murray said today when asked about his goalie plans…
MURRAY: “The only thing I’m going to say is that Quick is going to start the game tomorrow, will play the game tomorrow. We talked back home, in the early part of the training camp, where I’ve said that I’m not going to lock myself in, to where i have designated games for the goaltenders. I’m going to play it out right here at the start of the year. Everything is so critical. If we get a goaltender that’s on a roll, to me that’s going to be the right way to go.”
They should play until they let in a goal and then switch. I know that would never happen but wouldn’t it be interesting?
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Ian Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@TwoFootAfro, no
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Bernier will play Saturday VS Buffalo. If you read between the lines Murray is basically saying that the starting job is Bernier’s if he wants it and plays well enough, which he will.
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fsd1 Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
@Kinger, Huh? I read between all the lines and did not see that. Quick > Bernier at this point in time.
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Stuart Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 12:33 pm
@Kinger, I didn’t read that into it at all… in fact I wouldn’t be surprised to see JQ start both games if he stands on his head and plays lights out… the between the lines is simply whoever plays the best will continue to play until they falter. This is now a competition unlike last years. I like it. And I think we can’t go wrong either way.
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LA_1968 Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:20 pm
@Stuart, I think you hit the nail on the head. It’s a competition. When one guy has a bad game he’ll be out of there for the next game. The only real question will be what happens when both have a slide at the same time.
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Shotongoal Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 12:34 pm
@Kinger, hmmm I must have been reading “over” or “through” the lines instead of between them. ???
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@Shotongoal, I’ll definally call you when I’m in LA. We have a lot to do, but when the work stop, the puck drops. See Ya Bud.
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Shotongoal Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@kinginsaltlake, sounds good!!
jack Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@Kinger, I don’t see it that way either. Bernier def has the potential to play as well as Quick, needs playing time tho and think he will see more starts this year.
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Michael J. Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 12:50 pm
@Kinger,
What? I read that Quick will start both and that Murray doesn’t want Bernier’s feelings hurt.
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Markisonfire Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@Kinger, Not sure how you drew that conclusion. It is Quick’s to lose. Play well and you stay in.
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EASportsMgt Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:05 pm
@Kinger, that’s pretty funny that you managed to gather that from TM’s statement. It’s actually quite clear to me who is starting on Saturday. Jonathan is getting the start.
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DesertKing Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:14 pm
@Kinger,
I tried to read between the lines and just saw a bunch of white space.
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McCheese Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
@Kinger, TM must have been speaking in Swedish if that’s what he said.
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wavesinair Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 2:43 pm
@Kinger,
Actually, if you read between the lines, TM is saying he made a mistake last year “penciling in” goalies for certain games in advance and then changing his mind. He’s “not going to lock myself in” this year. Good plan coach. I approve.
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red49er Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@Kinger, no, he’s saying his going to give Bernier every opportunity to win the position, like he has done with skaters in the past. And like everyone has been saying about Parse and his need to show up this next game, Bernier needs to show up this season and show well otherwise he may never get Quick out of the net.
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Helvetica Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
@Kinger, Last season, Temu had planned out well in advance which goalie would start which game and it probably cost us a few wins where we could have ridden a hot goal tender longer than allowed. Clearly he wants to give Bernier a bit more responsibility as well as some motivation to play exceptional hockey. I don’t think it’s an issue of “Bernier’s job to win” so much as an issue of adjusting his game plan from last year.
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Bring back Fujifuka,Fukiikawa, Fukafiji, aw forget it, just bring back Hrudey and his bandana.
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McCheese Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
@DesertKing, no way! Yutaka was not the man. Bring back Cloutier! I haven’t seen anyone let in a slap shot from the center line in a long time.
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Regent Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:29 pm
@McCheese,
Well I guess you didn’t watch the Kings/Blues game on St. Patrick’s Days last year…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucXijUXlk9Y
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McCheese Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:56 pm
@Regent, I had blocked that one out ( or had blacked that one out… it was St. Patrick’s Day after all ). Lost $10 on that game too.
But who knew that Cloutier was a polished veteran of the mid-line slapshot?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y524oYnSuqQ&feature=related
gkingsg99 Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
@McCheese, You mean hole in the net?
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rontheking Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:32 pm
@DesertKing, I think it was fuku-something…no offense…the most defiant goalie name ever…ahhh…too bad he couldn’t play up to the level of his name….
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
@DesertKing,
That would be Yutaka Fukufuji!
Ex-King, Ex Bakersfield Condor…
http://goo.gl/os344
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For me I’d play the goalie who has the “hot-hand”, then change up goalies when they start losing.
You always go with the hot-hand. IMO
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bringbackbutchgoring Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
@Kings 4 Life, Agreed, When you basically have 1A and 1B, you could even play one until he loses a game, then play the next until he loses a game; that way you are assured of playing a hot hand. Unless they both are sucking, of course. That would be fair to both but I think there is probably more harmony when you have a number 1 and a number 2. Oh crap I’m arguing against myself….
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Kings 4 Life Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:06 pm
@bringbackbutchgoring, Yep, that’s how it should be done.
PS.it’s a good arguement with yourself. lol
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Either way…..Both are solid and any team would love to have either one between the pipes! stoked we have both…and at a very reasonable price.
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LBlocal Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 12:47 pm
Well stated. $3,050,000 for both Quick & Bernier for the season.
A LOWER COMBINED TOTAL than the top 19 paid NHL goalies. http://capgeek.com/leaders.php?type=SALARY&position=G&limit=25
gKg!
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wavesinair Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
@BrokeKingsFan,
“stoked we have both” sums it up beautifully. we’re so lucky, yet fans have a need to have one over the other for no reason. it’s the left/right, black/white, this/that thinking that is so prevalent and so not necessary. go with the guy who’s got the mojo until he doesn’t. i still can’t believe the kings are so deep in goaltending. does not compute!
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start Bernier. its not like we dont have one of the best backup goalies in the NHL
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
@jasuce23, lets go with Quick first game and the second Bernier and if Bernier can steal it from Quick .then let him steal it then giving to him…
Bernier doesnt earn it in less he takes it from Quick…But he will play more games tho…
So out of those more games if he doesn’t steal it from Quick then something that We as Kings Fans are not seeing the bigger picture.
I say its rather better to steal it from Quick because it will boost his confidence.Then he will earn it by taking it away from Quick it will always be ten times better then most of Kings fan that wants Bernier to be the number 1.If they have control they will just give it to him..By just giving it to him he play less good as he is right now.He will loose that confidence that he has to try to take it.
I like both Goalies they are both starters.Just one of them going have to leave.
Bernier Is a RFA so we have more time with him but also gives more looks at by different teams and thats a bonus also.
Quick is a UFA this year so gives us a problem right there.Because he can choose to walk or choose to sign for us again..Plus Teams are looking at him too so gives us a bonus too..Thats if the Kings wants to do something in the trade deadline and be dumb on trading one of the goalies tho…
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tuan jim Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 7:31 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
Where did you hear that Quick is a UFA this year?
I thought we had him until the end of 2012-13.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
October 7th, 2011 at 7:42 am
@tuan jim, yea kinda mess up LOL next year thank god LOL i messed up on that part ><
Quick is the man. Bernier is also the man. Quick has earned the starting job but if he falters bring Jonathan part deux. We are solid, very solid on the back end. The front end just needs to score goals in bunches.
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What a problem to have. For the first time in 30 years I do not cringe every time a Kings’ opponent winds up to shoot. I fully expect either guy to make the stop every time. If the other team does score it was either a perfect shot, the goalie had no chance, or a pretty big mistake from Beri=nier or Quick.
Thanks to these two my blood pressure is lower than it has been in decades.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
@Michael J., yea i know..We are Kings fan dont even expect it as a good thing..Always want to throw either one under a bus instead of accepting what they have and dont care whos in net..I know i dont care
They both can have bad days..
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trytodethroneus Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:07 pm
@Michael J.,
Not only that, but if there’s a rebound our defense is there also.
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Michael J. Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:27 pm
@trytodethroneus,
Yah, I could have mentioned that but then I would have had to give credit to TM’s “defense first” system.
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Honestly, I am going to predict here and now that Bernier is the starter come playoffs
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:13 pm
@VanKingsFan, so u thinking Quick cant get better at all??
Don’t forget Quick can get as much better than what he was last year..If Bernier can improve so can Quick…
If Bernier takes it am okay with it.I like both goalies.I just don’t like the predictions like Bernier going to be the starter…
U cant count out Quick into the season starts..It only the beginning.
not even close to the middle or the end.
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VanKingsFan Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@KingsFanFTW, This is in no way an indictment of Quick. The main reason I think so is because I have confidence that Bernier will become incredible!
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 2:40 pm
@VanKingsFan, yea i hope soo too i hope Bernier can prove to us and to him self that he can get it and make it….I just hope Quick can get better too
i like both goalies.They both cant compare.Because both of them have two different style of goaltender
quick needs motivation. he’s incredibly gifted when he has the drive. look at his numbers when bouncing back from a really bad game – he’s unstoppable. the more TM keeps the door open for bernier to replace quick, the better quick plays. there isn’t gonna be any more of this 60/20 games business. you play great or you sit.
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Im so comfortable with both. If I was a player I would be happy whoever is in net. Even for playoffs they are both GREAT goaltenders.
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That makes perfect sense to me..
We need as many wins as possible in the west.
This way, both goalies have to earn their playing time. that’s nothing but a good thing for the Kings.
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Michael J. Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:31 pm
@nykingfan,
I can only imagine what this blog will look like in two months:
1) When Quick wins three in a row then loses one- they will cry “Why not Bernier” Quick is too tired”
2) When Quick wins three in a row followed by Bernier losing one – “Why did they take Quick out, he was hot?”
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Central Coast King Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 4:47 pm
@Michael J., For reals huh.
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@Michael J., I would have loved to have seen this blog back in ’07 when we got to pick from SEVEN different goalies…
Thank goodness we’ve got two outstanding net minders. We’re going to need them both at some point this year. Its a long way to the parade in June!
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39scars Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 2:56 pm
@McCheese, http://www.insidesocal.com/kings/2007/02/what-could-have-been.html
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neil Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
@39scars, its amazing what you get when you ask for something!!!!!
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I think the whole “hot hand” thing is kind of dumb. It’s like driving a car by looking in the rear view mirror. I know for example that a ‘hot’ shooting basketball player is no more likely to make his next shot than one who has missed 4 in a row. What it may do is make these guys nervous knowing that if they have a bad game they may sit for 2 weeks. Goalies need confidence above all else. I’ve all the things that TM has done that I disagree with, this tops the list.
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JayGoLAKings Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:39 pm
@Donald_S, I believe in it… Last year Quick was on fire then came one of those scheduled switches, so in that case keep it rolling.
A team loss does not mean the goalie has lost the “hot hand” status though. The play of the team in front of you will be a factor.
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Stuart Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@Donald_S, I’m not sure Donald, but if you “know” that a hot b-ball player is as likely to make his next shot as an 0-fer…guys get into a rythym and they become automatic… I don’t think that carries over into hockey because you’re focus is constantly changing its angle, but bball, a hot hand is more likely to keep hitting them in that stretch. IDK about the statistics and probability of all, just saying.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
@Donald_S, I would disagree. Athletes and sports just don’t seem to fit into typical statistics. A player can just get into a groove and can be unstoppable at times. A pitcher in baseball, a shooter in basketball, a goalie in hockey. All can defy the odds just by having “the hot hand”. Does it make statistical sense? No, but I’d bet my money on Kobe scoring the last shot of a game if he is on a streak. It just happens, and sometimes a goalie gets into a groove and every puck seems like it’s a foot wide to them. Conversely, they can get into a funk, or slump where things just don’t seem to be going right. Personally, I think it’s healthy to have these guys pushing each other.
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The sentence should have been ‘Of all the things…”
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“Terry Murray said during training camp that he might be more inclined to go with the “hot hand” in goal this season, rather than having a strict schedule for the goalies.”
If that was the case, Bernier should be getting the start tomorrow. Bernier > Quick this preseason and Camp.
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If they are both playing comparably well I would alternate them in back to back games–especially early on–to minimize the risk of injury and keep them both in optimal rested shape.
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TM seems to flop his plans on goalies and line changes by the minute. One thing is, he is consistently inconsistent.
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kinginsaltlake Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@oldthunder, Another name for Old Thunder is, Old Thor
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This is my stand on our Keepers. Jonathan will start every game this year. With Jonathan in goal we have the best of both worlds. On one hand we have a Butterfly goalie and on the other we have a more straight up traditional goalie. One is quick to the puck, the other let’s the puck come to him. Without a doubt during a shoot out we KNOW who has the “hot hand”. Look for Jonathan to be at his best during those tough 2 goal games when a lead is hard to keep. Remember that it takes hard work to be an NHL goalie, but you need to play on a consistent basis. We need to play Jonathan more regularity and show us that he has the goods. Who am I pulling for… Read between the lines and you will know.
Penner let us hope this is not some nagging injury that you are going to use throughout the season. I can here it now. The reason Penner is slow, his early season injury has not healed. Give Parse his shot. Give him a month I say. Let him prove to his self first then the coaches, teammates that he is ready for the big time. Make it hard on Penner to earn his new contract. If Parse works out and say scores a few goals and is in on some plays we may find out we don’t need Penner and ship him on. Penner has been my guy. I liked the trade when we got him. I have his back, but it’s just one thing after another with him. I want him to do good I want whom ever wears our jersey to do good. In our locker room we have No Fakes. We need Penner to be the guy we know he can be. Parse on the other hand must use this game on Friday to show us what he’s made of. Coach is showing loyalty, which goes a long way in the locker room.
The season is now upon us. Looking forward to watching the Habs and Leafs on Center Ice tonight. Hockey is an awesome sport. There is nothing better then send the wife to the bedroom TV and me sitting alone with a steak in hand and enjoy some good old fashioned hockey. Here’s to all hockey fans around our Kingdom. You don’t have to be a Kings fan, but you do need to love this game. Bottom’s up!!!
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Something’s wrong with my monitor because I just read that TM finally plans to hold the goalies accountable to the same performance standard as the skaters.
I wish there was video of when the epiphany occurred in his mind. Brilliant.
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39scars Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
@Capt Jam, Four points on the rip Murray scale
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How long before people start complaining that TM rotates goalies like he changes the forwards’ lines mates?
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According to Murray, then Bernier should have started tomorrow and not Quick. Bernier had a better camp and deserves to start a least one game this weekend. Quick on the other hand didn’t look to sharp, but hopefully he changes on that on Friday.
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Deke'r Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 3:00 pm
@Marbles, Seriously?
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ddc Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 3:36 pm
@Marbles, i second deke’r… seriously?
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Shotongoal Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
@Marbles, really? You’re going to use PRESEASON games to gauge who the #1 goalie is? I love Bernier, but Quick deserves to start the season as the #1. You know they do call it tarining camp and preseason for a reason, right?
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PP Anybody? Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 5:46 pm
@Marbles, Which goalie had a shutout this pre-season? Oh wait, I know, it was actually Quick.
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Just to put things in perspective, maybe we should all take a look back at this?
http://articles.latimes.com/2006/sep/15/sports/sp-kingrep15
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The goalie situation is going to be a season long audition for who will be the #1 goalie next year. IMO, we will not be able to keep both next season and a decision on who wins the job to be the #1 will be fought out all this year and even in the playoffs. I think both are great and would be happy with either of them between the pipes for years to come. Unfortunately, I do believe one of them will be traded either at the trade deadline this year or prior to next season. I do not envy DL in making this decision when the time comes. However this all turns out, I will be cheering for both when they are between the pipes. It’s great to know we have depth in Manchester to come in as our back-up once this all plays out. Let’s get the cup this year that way both Jonathan’s get there name on it!!!
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i’m shocked with how many quick-haters there are here… he’s only won 74 games (a kings record) for the kings the last two seasons with back-to-back playoff appearances (and doing it at under the age of 25), who’s done that for LA lately? the only thing separating the kings from the AWFUL/WORST track record for goalies over the past 20 years that the flyers have (til getting bryzie this offseason) is mr quick… i get what TM is doing (no need to dictate who gets saturday’s start when the following game back in north america isn’t til late next week), he’s giving quick the start tomorrow, and if he plays well and wins, then he plays saturday… if he doesn’t though, the door will be cracked and bernier will start saturday… my guess is that regardless though, quick will get the game 3 start (in actuality, i think it’s just the second game that is up for contention at this point)… however, if quick sucks it up in game 1 and game 3, then the competition is on… with all that being said though, i DO NOT think that TM should keep a goalie controversy going longer than the first few weeks… i’m all for the strongest man playing, and i’m all for competition, but goalies are the one position that i know shouldn’t be handled in a loosie-goosie manner (trust me, i’m a retired collegiate goalie)… to have your backstops going into games worrying that if they make a mistake they may not see time again is not a winning answer… in the kings case, you have two strong goalies and you make sure whoever ends up being the number two is staying sharp and seeing a decent amount of games, but you make sure that a hierarchy is communicated and supported… starting goalie versus backup goalie is almost the equivalent to trying to make the team in training camp for regular players (once you’re in, you’re in)… for goalies, it’s not the same as it is for players bouncing from one line to another… it’s more equivalent to calling players up and sending players down… imagine trying to get the best out of your team if every game they were worried about being sent down… that’s not to say that if a player sucks it up, he won’t be sent down, but it’s not an axe hanging over his head every game… and when a player does finally get demoted, it’s communicated and implemented, not left open ended for an entire season (which is what in theory a long term goalie controversy will do… it will only screw with both goalies’ heads)… in the end, i believe that all of this will be “much to do about nothing”, as i see quick winning tomorrow and saturday, and then getting the start against NJ on 10/13… depending on how that goes, bernier may get the start against philly on 10/15, but maybe not even then if quick mops up the devils… and if that’s the case, i would have to imagine that quick would stay in between the pipes for the home opener… so in theory, bernier could easily not see action til phoenix on 10/20, and by that point, if all has gone according to plan, quick will have wrapped up the solid #1 spot, and the kings will be sitting around 4-1-0 or 5-0-0… GO KINGS!!!!!
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
October 6th, 2011 at 3:41 pm
@ddc, too much to read but i agree LOL
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@DesertKing, yeah!!!! Rudy,Rudy,Rudy. Nice post.
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Y on earth would u start the same goalie on back to back nights?
Who cares how Quick plays Bernier should start the next day
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Quick/Bernier or Bernier/Quick. Unfortunately this debate is not going to end until one of them is gone. Actually it may even then, especially if the one that leaves plays better than the one that remains. Fortunately for me I know the name of the one that’s going to remain. It’s ……………………………!
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
October 7th, 2011 at 9:22 am
@Forum67, Jonathan
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