Every goalie has a rough night from time to time, but Jonathan Quick has set the bar so high for himself this season that, when it happens, it’s almost shocking. Quick allowed four goals on 29 shots last night, then got beat twice in three shootout attempts. Quick had allowed two or fewer goals in nine consecutive starts and had allowed a total of four goals in his previous three starts. Given Quick’s rough night, a late flight, back-to-back games and altitude, it’s fair to assume that Jonathan Bernier will start tonight, but of course Darryl Sutter will not speak to that. Sutter did speak to Quick’s game last night, though.
SUTTER: “As it goes along, in his career, he will learn how to win high-scoring games. Top goalies always do that.’’
Question: What’s the lesson that needs to be learned there?
SUTTER: “Mentally stay in it. It’s really no different than any other position. You can’t let one mistake, or one (goal) you think you could have had, affect your next one. I’m sure, if you talk to him, he’d like to have a couple (goals) back. I played with a Hall of Fame goaltender who was a flat-out winner, and that’s what he said. The best goalies win high-scoring games. That was Tony Esposito. And really, when you look at it (in history), with the Edmonton goalies (in the 1980s) and Patrick Roy, it’s right.’’
Rick Nash! I don’t know, haven’t heard his name in a while.
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Whodawat Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:39 pm
@toemas_sandstrom, There’s a reason for it. He won’t be a King
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Dominick Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@toemas_sandstrom, “Rick Nash” It has a nice ring to it. Kinda like “Parise” huh? lol
Pretty soon it will wear off and sound just like “Gaboric”, “Hossa”, “Kovalchuck”, “Heatly”, or “Marleau”.
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Perro Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@toemas_sandstrom, I liek the soudns of Carter, Nash and JVR right now. This off season I will love the Sound of Parise.
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I have a feeling we are gonna see jeff carter over nash.
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johnny mangos Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@tommy, unfortunately me too. Ex-flyers….
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tim chaney Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@johnny mangos, long as jj and voynov stay…
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Perro Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@johnny mangos, Why unfortunately. I’m guessing due to contract length. THe last three years he gets paid 3m, 2m, and 2m. Any budget team looking to make the floor will take him off of our hands if we need to dump him.
I thikn it would cost a lot less than Nash, and would still leave us with flexibility to resign key players (Quick) or bring in players.
Would love to get either, doing no moves wold be DL’s only bad move here.
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Perro Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@johnny mangos, Why unfortunately. I’m guessing due to contract length. THe last three years he gets paid 3m, 2m, and 2m. Any budget team looking to make the floor will take him off of our hands if we need to dump him.
I thikn it would cost a lot less than Nash, and would still leave us with flexibility to resign key players (Quick) or bring in players.
Would love to get either, doing no moves wold be DL’s only bad move here.
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DEH Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:05 pm
@tommy, well maybe a couple of beers with an old friend will get Richie to loosen his grip on his stick…
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Wheat is the best lesson.
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Dominick Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:24 pm
@Harrison Merkin, Isn’t “Wheat” on 2nd?
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So is Sutter taking the reigns off the offense?
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@deadcatbounce,
I hope so.
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Kissmyblarneystones Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:14 pm
@FKA PakiFro, Yeah Really!!! No sense going out like wimps!!
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Quick needs a rest. Please start Bernier.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:47 pm
@tornado12,
No way man! were going with the “hot hand” lol
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FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@tornado12,
I hope so.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@tornado12,
Praying for it…
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Quick cost us the game with that ridiculous attempt at poke checking on a wrap-around. Who does that? Pee Wee goalies know not to do that. Quick is a great goalie but we have an excellent back up in Jonathan Bernier and he needs to play more. end of story
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deadcatbounce Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:44 pm
@Tony, Really? What was your record in the NHL?
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Tony Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@deadcatbounce, excuse me? since when is NHL experience required to post a critique on this website? How many NHL games did you play in?
Here-since I didn’t play in the NHL, I am only going to post nice comments from now on. They will all read something like this (win or lose):
“Nice job last night boys…way to work hard. I am really proud of you. We lost but you guys worked hard and had fun….go get them next time.”
There. is that better?
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Devilmachine Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@Tony, What? Is this Pee Wee hockey?! Lol. Sorry!
JWRocks! Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:48 pm
@Tony, I agree, the haymaker was a bad move, he had plenty of time to be in a great position if the guy even gets to the front. He’s a great goalie, just needs to take the stick work out of his repitoir! Only reason to play bernier more is to give Quickie some mental rest. it’s got to be exhausting carrying 18 guys every night!
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Forum Gold Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:54 pm
@JWRocks!, +1. His poke checks seem to cost him more than help him. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Weasel Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:08 pm
@Forum Gold,
I disagree his poke checks are generally pretty good. His ability to get out of the crease handle the puck and make good choices is his only realy fault.
Deke'r Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 6:40 pm
@Forum Gold, …just like when he handles the puck behind the net….no so quick….
deadcatbounce Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:01 pm
@JWRocks!, Can’t believe all the piling on Quick after one poor start. If it weren’t for him the Kings would be battling for a lottery position, not a playoff spot.
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EasyBob Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:28 pm
@deadcatbounce, Right on,you cannot win them all and sometime the big one gets away. In the end he is great and will get the job done.
Tony Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@JWRocks!, i agree. that was my point. i even said “He’s a great goalie.” But we have an excellent back up he needs to play.
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KingsFletch Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@Tony, Blaming Quick? lol that’s sad. He didn’t have his best game, he’ll be the first to admit that. But Kyle Clifford, and the lack of balls and leadership on this team cost us the game. If they lose tonight or just play soft and uninspired in general… it’s OVER. I hope they either start to play like paid professional MEN, or give it up and tank. (also getting Rick Nash in there an starting over completely works for me too) Tonight will be very telling to the next few years for this franchise.
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Nickcypress Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 2:55 pm
@Tony, Funny because that was the only goal that was his fault. Should have been 4-1. Do think that Bernier should get a look with the back to back.
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GKG Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:12 pm
@Nickcypress, When you have made the kind of saves he has made game in and game out for us this year, a lot of the goals last night look soft, when in reality, they were not. In my opinion, he was not as fast post-to-post last night as he has been, but that save on Doan’s 1-timer late in the third when the dogs were on the major power play was absolutely incredible.
That being said, and with the physical demands of playing goal, I almost always advocate switching goalies from one night to the next in back to back situations. Quick has had a lot of work, there was travel between the games, and Bernier needs to get in some work to stay sharp if:
a) he’s going to have any trade value to us, or
b) he’s going to be able to take some of the pressure off of Quick, or
c) basically, if he’s going to contribute to this team at all.
It is also my opinion that when quick plays too much, his game slips just a little bit this time of year. So much of his game is based on strength, flexibility, and athleticness that how could fatigue not become a factor if he is pressed too hard.
Bottom line:
Start Bernier tonight, put Stoll and Williams back together, put Richards on Kopi’s line, and activate the defensemen early and often when it makes sense, and we should be okay tonight.
Meanwhile, the true fans will be rooting for you, boys…GKG
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@Tony, This game wasn’t all Quick’s fault. Yes he would like that last goal back. But his GAA shows just how awesome he is. Usually when he uses the poke check it works. It didn’t last night twice. So be it. Doesn’t mean he is lousy or that the loss was his fault. He had a bad night. With as well as he played throughout this season it is not surprising he has a bad night once in a while. The thing is how he reacts to it his next game. If he goes back to his 1 goal a game play then no biggie.
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Cruiznblue Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@Tony,
Quick has made lots of really nice saves by means of a poke check…no one was complaining then.
Cant win them all.
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Dominick Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@Tony, Blaming a goalie who misses on 2 poke checks, even though he’s got the 3rd best save % in the entire league is kinda silly. He missed on 2 poke checks, but that poke check has saved the Kings becon on many occassions.
I think he deserves the benifit of doubt here, and even though your point on Bernier is valid, your display in finger pointing isn’t going to be well recieved.
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Forum gold Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:00 pm
@Dominick, I’m a huge JQ fan. I guess the poke checks that do not work seem to stand out more. Disaster of a season without his outstanding play. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:02 pm
@Tony, He’s right here boys. Two pad slides and poke chokes are desperate moves. It’s okay. He’s allowed a few off nights or even off reads.
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Giving up 4 goals is definitely the exception for JQ, but losing a shootout is conversely (and oddly) his standard this season. He’s just been awful in that situation and as the season and his workload have gone up, he just seems to be further out of the mental zone. End of game mental fatigue, perhaps.
Sutter makes a good point about great goalies and high scoring games. Hasek is another one who comes to mind.
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Quick could of save two of the goals yesterday game but he can make mistake…The Kings offense now know how if feels when ur on top of ur game and lose because part of ur defense and goaltner wasnt doing thier job..
Maybe now they both groups will work together and get it going..
I dont care who in net today i do wish Bernier in the net for at least he gets more starts….But Quick been amazing all season long..
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DS is on the money with his statement: “I played with a Hall of Fame goaltender who was a flat-out winner, and that’s what he said. The best goalies win high-scoring games. That was Tony Esposito. And really, when you look at it (in history), with the Edmonton goalies (in the 1980s) and Patrick Roy, it’s right.’’ Quick has not yet learned to even win low scoring games when it gets to be crunch time. No doubt, he’s played great at times in losing 4 of 5. But bottom line, he’s lost 4 of 5. And this is a recurring theme in his career during crunch time. More the reason to see how JB reacts under pressure, hopefully tonight. My guess is very well.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@Poorman,
There is no doubt it’s time to see what Bernier can do however, lastnight and a game against Detroit were the only two games this season I can remember Quick playing poorly.
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Stuart Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:06 pm
@Poorman, man, I almost feel like you get a dollar everytime JB makes a save or something…
We’ll see how many pressure packed games JB gets playing in Columbus…
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Jgomez Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@Poorman, Very true. He needs to learn to win those low scoring games where he only allows 1 goal in consecutive games…How dare he allow one goal!
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@Jgomez,
Actually, in Poorman’s eyes, JQ should have pitched a shutout and scored the game winning goal since no one else was going to score for him. That Quick guy really sucks.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@Poorman, It is kinda hard to win low scoring games when your own team DOESN’T SCORE!!!!!!
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EasyBob Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:37 pm
@Jeff_R, Finally someone gets if. You cannot win if you cannot score.
JQ is the man. He will never win every game, so cut him some slack when he let one get away. He will get the job done.
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KingsFletch Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@Poorman, Lol poor statement… as u can see by everyone else’s reaction. however he does sometimes wear down late in the year, but only because the Kings have a HORRIBLE organization with HORRIBLE coaching that has no idea how to keep their star goalie fresh. Fire DL, Fire entire coaching staff. Hire a young guy on the up and coming who is OFFENSE FIRST. and move on. Until we re-configure this whole Front Office and Organization being scared and defense first mentality and open it up, we’re wasting the careers of good players and wasting the time of our die-hard fans, like me. I’m getting REALLY sick of it.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@KingsFletch, He wore down 2 years ago because it was his 1st full season after averaging 35+ games in high school and college. Plus he went to the Olympics and didn’t play and had a baby. Those 3 instances were the reason he falter. He did better last year and even better so far this year. He is in the best condition of anyone on the Kings. He deserves to play 70+ games as his play warrants it. When was the last time he had a bad game like last night? He was due to have a clunker. Has nothing to do with being tired. However it might be good to get Bernier into a game tonight, especially if he is going to be traded.
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DEH Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@KingsFletch, if the Kings had an offensive system of which you desire would Quick still be a top 5 goalie? It’s not entirely obvious that Quick will play the same in a more open system.
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pr0cess Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:18 pm
@Poorman, I clearly remember Bernie folding in Montreal?
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Dominick Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:37 pm
@Poorman, Berniers won a whole 18 games total in the NHL. Where’s the logic in your theory that Quick hasn’t even learned to win low scoring games. He’s won 120 games for your Kings, and you press for the guy who’s won you 18?
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:40 pm
@Poorman,
Wow, just, wow. Blaming the goaltender for losing 0-1 games. Yeah, it’s the bottom line. But, I wonder, how many games does Bernier win if the Kings score 0 every game.
Just, wow.
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We really need a W tonight. Come on boys let’s have another strong start. D Evans on XM home ice in a few mins.
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The defence let Quick down last night. Kopy messed up a coverage leaving the best scorer on the yotes wide open on the power play. Tell me why stoll was not in the shoot out he is the best on the team. Richard sucks in the shoot out just look at the numbers.
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Weasel Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@Alan,
Agreed, let’s not even talk about the shootout though – there never should have been need for a shootout.
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EasyBob Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:38 pm
@Alan, Right on, you cannot put all the blame on JQ.
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With the latest Bolts trade, Yzerman has been in the news a lot talking about his philosophy on building a better team – and seriously, it’s hard not to be a little bit in awe of him.
“Obviously, I traded three players for draft picks and these moves are made to make us better in the future,” he said. “Any situation that comes along from here to the trade deadline to the future, we will look at. These draft picks give us options; they don’t help today, no question, but again, my goal is to win a Stanley Cup here, and we have to do some tough things, some difficult things along the way to do that. We need young players. We need to draft well, we need to build that way and this was an opportunity to do that, to acquire some high picks, so that decision was made. The message to the player is that I want to win a Stanley Cup and I’ll do what I have to do to win a Stanley Cup.”
-Yzerman
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fsd1 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@CabbagesAndKings, he wants to do what DL has already done with all the draft picks and stuff. Will be interesting too see how it pans out for them. Not at awe with him, he is saying what a GM must say.
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KingsFletch Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:19 pm
@CabbagesAndKings, Sounds like how I run my Kings in NHL 12 lol. but yeah Yzerman seems to absolutely know what he’s doing. I like that mentality of stock-piling draft picks when you can, but I feel like that’s what the Kings used to do… DL and company may have just not done that great of a job in drafting offensive guys. We’ll find out soon enough tho lol this team is facing a steep, steep uphill battle and we’ll see how they respond.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:35 pm
@KingsFletch, It would of helped had Al Murray drafted better from 2001-2006, especially 2003. Would of made things a lot easier for DL and we would be better off offensively. The fact is most all of DL’s picks for forwards are still in juniors or are over seas, with a couple at Manchester. They will start coming in next season.
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We couldn’t score on Kipper the other night and look what happened to him last night and to Cal Gary. It happens. It’s just that the Kings only score multiple goals about every five games!
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On the tying goal, the faceoff was won cleanly back to the end board. By the time Doughty and Scuderi figured out who was going to take the puck, vrbata picked it clean off of Doughty’s stick. Quick should have never been put in the situation he was.
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I think Poorman is related to Bernier
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:33 pm
@Pesus, that, or someone’s got a hot date when the season ends.
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:43 pm
@Pesus,
I’m willing to buy into that more and more. The ridiculous comments about Quick losing the last few games when he has played so well and the only reason he lost those games was because the team couldn’t score a goal to save their lives, the almost fanboy pushing for JB at every turn…makes you wonder.
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PurpleBlacknGold Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@vplaza, Poorman = troll. Dude only posts anti Quick and pro Bernier stuff just to get reactions like above. Don’t feed the trolls…,
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Could be Bernier’s last start before the deadline. Hopefully our D gets him a shutout and boosts his trade value.
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EasyBob Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:40 pm
@Perro, Do not let him get hirt, please!
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off subject: NBCsports/versus stuck us in vegas with the Detroit
game starting at 5 pm insted of the Kings game. SUCKS
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vegasking Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@vegasking, spell check: instead
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fsd1 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@vegasking, mine is showing the kings at this moment at 8CT
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@vegasking, how Detroit doesnt play today ?
Most getting a replay
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Forum gold Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:55 pm
@vegasking, The NHL Overtime show at 10pm does a good job of recaping the game they have shown. GO KINGS GO!!!
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Kings x Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:24 pm
@vegasking, 6pm MTN game in COL
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@vegasking, what!! So the game is not on TV?
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@pr0cess, its on tv…Detroit doesnt play today
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Stuart Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@pr0cess, seems like the Vegas market is getting the DET game, since everyone would rather see an og6 team play…barf
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tornado12 Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@Stuart, vegas is totally kings territory, someone at NBC should do some research
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EasyBob Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:41 pm
@pr0cess, Game is on NBC Sports.
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The people jumping on Quick need to take a deep breath and step back. He is the main reason this team is clinging to a playoff spot instead of fighting for last place. If each player on this team scored anywhere near their average goals per year, Quick is in Vezina conversations.
The lunacy of saying that he is no better than our backup goaltender is staggering. I don’t mean to take anything away from Bernier, who I think is a very good backup and may very well be a starter on some teams, but Quick’s total body of work speaks volumes. He has few “off” games, so when he has one, he needs to be cut some slack.
Unfortunately, with the way this offense is playing, he doesn’t have the luxury of having off games. He is in a situation where he needs to play a perfect game in order to get any points, let alone any wins.
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I said it before and I’ll say it again, a lot of Quick’s good performances are due to our defense! Likewise yesterday’s bad performance was due to our defense. Two bad penalties on Greene, both of which I’m fully confident Quick could’ve handled on his own. Mitchell letting the man go backdoor. And for some reason the PK was chasing the puck instead of closing lanes like we usually do.
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vplaza Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:23 pm
@DEH,
Just MHO, but that statement doesn’t give Quick enough credit for what he has done. Of course the defense plays a role in how well he does, but this makes it sound like they could have a monkey in between the pipes and they would also be in the top three in GAA and Save Percentage in the league this year.
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DEH Reply:
February 22nd, 2012 at 4:48 pm
@vplaza, don’t get me wrong, Quick would be top 10 on any team, but put Bernier in there for a full year and I’d bet he would have top 10 stats too, maybe not quite as good a Quick, but top 10 none the less. Then again Bernier isn’t exactly a monkey placed between the pipes, the only reason Bernier isn’t a starter is b/c Quick hasn’t lost the job.
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I see a lot of bandwagons on this blog…
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