My LAKings.com feature for this week takes a look at Jonathan Quick’s candidacy for the Vezina Trophy. Not surprisingly, Quick’s teammates highly endorse him for the award. The funny thing was, I never had to bring it up. In conversations with Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar and Willie Mitchell, about Quick’s season, all three teammates independently brought up the Vezina without prompting and said it should go to Quick. All three give their thoughts below. Thanks for reading…
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Wow Rich..You’re on a roll today..
I’m trying to keep up with you’re posts…
Quick deserves the award…
But knowing the NHL….
It will go to Lunquist…
Quick runner up…
At least he will go to Vegas..
[Reply]
Jimbo Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:08 am
@SLIM, CAN WE GET AN MVP CHANT GOING TOMORROW NIGHT!!!????
[Reply]
Shuchuk Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 3:33 am
@Jimbo, “Ve-zi-na, Ve-zi-na, Ve-zi-na!”
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IceGuy Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 10:24 am
@Shuchuk,
+1
Great read, even greater story. I love the way this team has turned the year around, and for no one more-so than Quick. Anything short of a playoff appearance for him this year would go down as yet another huge blunder in Kings history. Hopefully that’s remedied even before tomorrow’s game starts. Oh, and yes, I’m still pissed he wasn’t allowed to go for 4 straight shutouts.
[Reply]
red49er Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), That was the undoing of Terry Murray. Usually you can’t point to a very specific moment when you know why a change had to be made or the beginning of the end, but without a doubt that was it for Murray and began the slide the kings have found so difficult to overcome. I’m still a Terry Murray supporter and am glad he was our coach. The kings players should be too as he made them better players as well as an improved team and organization.
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 9:09 am
@red49er,
Murray’s end (and Lombardi face plant) could be pegged at training camp. IMO, had it not been for a brief 4 game streak early in the season (which tricked many into believing the team was turning the corner) Murray would have been gone much sooner.
Playoffs or not it was a blunder to wait so long. Thank goodness the Kings had the level of talent on hand which everyone around the league flet LA possessed. Its made the last six weeks a pleasure to watch. For a change we have actually been treated to several high quality NHL caliber games.
I will credit Sutter for two things. First, (re)building the confidence of the 3rd and 4th lines. Second, retraining Kopitar and breaking him free of his “Murray Habits”.
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 6:26 am
@KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair), Without Terry Murray, this team still has no clue how to play defense.
A goaltender, no matter how good, is only as good as the defense playing in front of them.
TM had to go, but…give credit where it was earned and is due.
[Reply]
LAPD line Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 8:31 am
@mrbrett7, I think most people have given TM the credit he was due. He gave our team a very strong defensive foundation to build on, but he took the team as far as he could. The proper change was made, and I agree that pulling Quick when he did, and for the reason he gave, was probably what sealed his fate.
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 9:18 am
@mrbrett7,
What you say is true but it is also a bit of nonsense. In order to score goals and win games the defense has to loosen up a bit. There is a balance. For most of the season the balance in LA was shaded too far to defense.
Now, we see the Kings scoring more goals while conversely we see more 2on1 and 3on2 breaks against. This is a typical pattern for good teams. This is why successful teams carry very good goalies.
Focusing entire games on not allowing one odd man rush is fine…unless your team is losing 1-0 and 2-1 every night…remember?
[Reply]
Quick has been nothing short of a God send since his arrival to the team. Unbeleivable to finally have a solid starting goaltender.
I do wish he’d work on his puck handling a little more though…
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 6:54 pm
@Whodawat, I think he improved greatly before this season. If anything, it’s the sharp-angle shots now–not that he can’t continue to work on his puck handling..
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Blues & Wings playing a nasty one…super fun watching these guys. What a series it would be with the Blues!
[Reply]
tory17 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 7:12 pm
@Cry Baby,
oh no way do I want the blues or the wings in the 1st round,
I think the hawks would be a good series
[Reply]
rogiesbackup Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:40 pm
@Cry Baby, I thought the Kings went into their “prevent defense” against the Blues and the Bruins. Way too much respect for them with our D-men. The Dmen where getting involved in the play prior to these two games!!!
[Reply]
I am waiting for Penner to be the 1 player to have something negative to say “DP, what do you think, sboud Quick receive the Vezina?”
“Uhhhhh, what is the Venzina and what is a Quick? Are those like Italian pancakes and Nestle’s Quick chocolate drink? I would like that”
[Reply]
tellmeY Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
@DesertKing, good one
[Reply]
I think if they win the division Quickie is bringing home the hardware. Hopefully it wont be the only hardware this year. And even if he doesn’t it really speaks volumes about the character of this team the way the support him. Vezina or not, division champs or not, this is a team to be proud of.
[Reply]
No shut out for Elliott. That is a good news for Quick.
Quick was kinda shaky when he dealt with fewer shots but lately he can keep his concentration up no matter how many shots he faces. That’s a huge improvement for his game. If he keep it up, there is no hole with his goaltending.
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Quick of late has been off early in games, but has fought tremendiously hard in the last half of games. It may just be nerves, but better he deals with that the last couple of weeks than in the playoffs.
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I’m very excited for the next few days. I believe in this team. I think they will even be better in the next few years. Life is funny…It’s only a game, but I love that you people have the passion for it. I just wonder when it comes down to all those final games…is it fate….or is it talent….hard to choose isn’t it?
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 7:45 pm
@tellmeY,
Thursday and Saturday will be insane. My son will be at Tbursday’s game while I will ne cheering at home and hoping that Quick gets shut out #11.
[Reply]
tellmeY Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
@DesertKing, I will cheer for you….
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 7:58 pm
@tellmeY,
At the game? Dang you are killing me.
The only game all year he stank in was the det blowout but the whole team stank. On the nights he wasn’t the sharpest he still made big saves at critical times to keep the game alive (example at Nashville). His only competition really for the trophy is lunquist. His numbers overall may not be as good as lunquist but I think he meant more to his respective team as ny had some offense. All in all, I’ll take a conn smythe for him over the vezina!
[Reply]
QUICKsilver Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 7:57 pm
@tornado12,
What makes him the better candidate, IMHO, is his GAA. He’s had so many games where he is only faced 15-20 shots. It’s hard to stay sharp and focused with so few shots coming at you (because of the Kings stellar D). Yet, he brings it every night.
[Reply]
mrbrett7 Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 6:28 am
@tornado12, No, they aren’t as good as Lundquist’s…they are better.
[Reply]
tornado12 Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 10:16 am
@mrbrett7, i stand corrected. i hadnt realized he caught him in GAA and save percentage is the same. Lets see how these last 2 games go, but besides wins, quick has the best numbers!
[Reply]
“…I wouldn’t want to have another goalie to play for…” Drew Doughty.
I’m sure many more of his teammates feel the same way about playing in front of Quick.
Enough said.
[Reply]
QUICKsilver Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
@Gustavo,
What I like about that. He plays FOR Quick. Not the Kings, Sutter, Lombardi, or even LA. He players for QUICK>
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
@QUICKsilver, I dont 100% agree with that, he is damn humble and on camera or tape, speaks highly of the team, speaks well for the team too. Sure he wants the best for himself, but also is hard on himself saying he wasnt as sharp for the team etc. He does play for his team. I think that is why he is so highly regarded by the team, not just for bailing them out of a few jams either. I do partially agree with you though, but cannot quantify a %age
[Reply]
chip Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:50 am
@Mars, It’s not the shoes.
Boys looked pretty focused in practice today. Looks like they are primed for tomorrow. X
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:01 pm
@jk28,
Hopefully they locked Kompon in the equipment room and then worked on a new PP strategy.
[Reply]
KingsFanFTW Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:31 pm
@DesertKing, LOL they tryed that when Sutter came along he just broke out of it
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:42 pm
@DesertKing, Chant with me; Rope-A-Dope
OK that might be mean, but can we “healthy” scratch him for a game?
[Reply]
He deserves the Hart and the Vezina, believe that.
[Reply]
Great piece Rich.
I won’t be surprised if “King Henrik” gets the award, but it will be a crime if the TRUE KING doesn’t win.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
@QUICKsilver,
#74 is up for an award? Good for him!
[Reply]
QUICKsilver Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:18 pm
@DesertKing, *rimshot*
But seriously folks
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:32 pm
@QUICKsilver,
Wbut, whut? I neva get any respect around here.
QUICKsilver Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:50 pm
@QUICKsilver,
Take my King, please!
Duncanz Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:30 pm
@QUICKsilver, Swede, nuthin’ !
OK so if its coming down to Quick and Lundqvist
http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/46261-Boylen-Jonathan-Quick-for-the-Vezina-Trophy.html
Trying to stay rational and not biased, we shall let the stats speak up first….
Netminder GPI W L T OTL Min SO GA SHA GAA SV%
QUICK 67 35 21 - 11 3970 10 125 1809 1.89 .931
Lundqvist 61 39 17 - 5 3693 8 119 1736 1.93 .931
Travel distance
55,591 miles for Quick
32,410 miles for Lundqvist
While not all games were played by both goalies I do believe team stats should also be a factor.
Team GP GF GA PPA PPG PP% PKA PKG PK% SF SA
KINGS 80 181 162 282 43 15.2 284 34 88.0 2442 2194
RANGERS 80 219 173 270 43 15.9 257 35 86.4 2265 2232
After all of that, it looks pretty dang tight.
Lets also factor in some FUN ALL STAR STATS TOO, they were on the same team (Alfredsson)anyways.
Netminder Period Total Sv% TOI
H. Lundqvist 1 9 – 12 .750 19:49
J. Quick 2 10 – 13 .769 20:00
Now onto my biased opinion……
Quick holds 6 games over Lundqvist. 277 more minutes played, 23,181 more miles traveled!
Quick is 8-6-3 (losing record) in games where he’s only allowed one goal. (Kigns 29th in offense)
He has broken a few franchise records this year too!
He has been the MVP for the Kings, flat out.
Honestly, I feel it a bad call if Quick doesnt get it.
Well, I guess I dont need to rant on to my fellow insiders.
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:46 pm
@Mars,
No, keep going, you are making a great case. DL could send this to the other GMs to get their support.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 9:29 pm
@DesertKing,
I doubt DL wants Quick to win the Vezina, lol…The contract negotiations face off will be lopsided.
[Reply]
KC23 Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 7:23 am
@DesertKing, I wouldn’t send DL out to make a case … DL has to try and sign Quick and if Quick gets the Vezina … well good luck with that DL.
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I’ll go against the grain a little and suggest that if the Kings finish strong and win the Pacific then Quick might better be suited for The Hart Trophy. The last goalies to win it were Theodore, Hasek back-to-back in the late-90′s, and Plante way back in ’61.
[Reply]
QUICKsilver Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 8:54 pm
@billanthony,
Try both Hart and Vezina. Sure Malkin can make a pretty strong case for Hart too, and will probably win it, but still, there is no question where the Kings would be without him. High Lottery Pick.
[Reply]
what happened to all that talk about Bernier taking over the number one? el oh el
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Mars Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
@Subby, haha! You should give them some tequila with the lime and salt you just poured into their wounds.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
@Subby, ello ess … jus’ wanted t’say that..
[Reply]
Lime Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 10:36 am
@Subby,
lol
glad those days have passed.
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I’d like to think that Quick has a fair chance of winning the Vezina, but I just don’t see him getting past the east coast bias. Just not enough GM’s get to see him enough..
On a different note, Bud Holloway is now leading all players in playoff scoring in the SEL, with 7g 7a in 11 games. Not bad, and it looks like his team will probably make the finals. I still wonder what the heck went down for him to take off like he did. I’m guessing he just wanted to play somewhere where he was asked to score, and get paid for it and have some fun. I just wonder if there is any door left open between him and DL for next year. He is still technically Kings “property”, right?
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 9:55 pm
@PP Anybody?, What happened to him was the same thing that happened to Oscar Moller..Terry Murray. Holloway and his agent knew their was no way in hell he was going to play if TM was coaching here.
[Reply]
PP Anybody? Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:34 am
@puck73, Yeah, I have no doubt it was about TM, I just wish I knew the nitty gritty. It’s not too often that a prospect straight up bolts your organization. Radulov I get, cause he got millions to go back to Russia, but I doubt the money was much of an issue with Bud. Clearly, he wanted a scoring role, and that wasn’t in the cards here. Just peaks my interest to see a guy like BH who seems to be coming into his own. Would like to see him come back to camp this year and given a shot by DS.
[Reply]
vinny Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
@PP Anybody?, holy crap! what does he play over there? kings say left, hockeydb says right..great numbers either way, i hope he comes back and is allowed to compete for a spot
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
@PP Anybody?, Holloway still is property of the Kings. Once he saw the top 6 for the Kings in the offseason he thought he wouldn’t get a shot and left for overseas. He was actually hoping to maybe be part of a trade deadline deal to maybe crack the NHL. He might have missed the boat when King and Nolan got called up. Hopefully he can round out his game a bit more in Sweden and come to camp.
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
@PP Anybody?, Just based on the optics and politics, I think the Kings need to win the Division for Quick to have a shot at the Vezina over Lundquist. And a great game against SJ to clinch would help. Rangers probably win the President’s Trophy. Henrik was the captain of one of the All-Star teams, and he chose Quick for his team. The NHL is a league of paying your dues (see DS comments on comparisons of Quick and Kipper), so it would be pretty neat for the GM’s to vote Quick over Lundquist.
OTOH, the NHL is also a screw the Kings league, so maybe the GMs vote Quick just to drive up his price
[Reply]
Wilmonde Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 3:19 am
@PP Anybody?, On the Holloway bit, I saw an article awhile back that made a lot of sense in saying the the Kings’ ineffective third line is what has truly killed their offense this season… do you think Holloway would make a good second/third line winger to help us replace Penner, or should we try the free agent market in the off-season?
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Quick has keep this team alive almost by himself. The team owes him 60min of they’re best hockey to help get that
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http://www2.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=392267
Quick Vezina Stuff
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KingsNewsDaily (formerly wavesinair) Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 9:41 pm
@Subby,
Marc-Andre Fleury? Talk about east coast bias. Darren Dreger lost his mind.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 9:58 pm
@Subby,
Cant believe anyone is saying Fleury (or others really)
Netminder GPI W L T OTL Min SO GA SHA GAA SV%
QUICK 67 35 21 – 11 3970 10 125 1809 1.89 .931
Lundqvist 61 39 17 – 5 3693 8 119 1736 1.93 .931
Fleury 65 41 17 – 4 3804 3 150 1716 2.37 .913
The stats are not there, say he carried the short legged tuxedo birds, the same could be said for Quick, the Penguins are 1st in offense, While the Rangers are in 11th and the Kings in 29th!
If we really want to get into SF/SA I dont have a Kings netminder spread, but have the Kings not been more offensively and defensivly minded early on for JB than JQ. So the overall team stats are skewed against Quick a bit too.
I would be VERY angry if its not Quick or Lundqvist. I think Quick has it locked though, even though one stat is against him. But in the overall I mentioned above, it says Quick.
Damn it is gonna cost us to kepp him. But what a year!
Statistically best year in NHL
All star game
Team MVP
Breaking franchise records all over the place
(pulls out crystal ball)
Vezina trophy
Division Champs
Conference Champs
Stanley Cup
Gets fat and wide contract to retire a like a King with the Kings
A outlined placeholder in the Staples rafters where his jersey will be retired.
teamstore sells out of #32 jerseys
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
@Mars,
* Erstwhile emigre entertainer returns home with tail between legs to contritely pay homage – even tho’ it’s freeee …
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:16 pm
@Mars, It’s a 32 league. Order the inaugural Insider T-shirts with the Vezina on the front and that DS quote on the back. I’ll buy @Poorman’s.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
@Kenny44, You should have slapped a patent pending line in there and cut in on some profits or at least a free shirt for it.
I would buy one too.
Kenny44 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:36 pm
@Mars. I paid some bills with stuff like that long long ago. It’s somebody else’s turn, for sure. I just hope to see something like that (and wear it with pride!)
grega11 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 11:14 pm
@Kenny44, birilliant!!
Rich, I hope you don’t mind the name change. I’m trying to change my handle, but I’m still experimenting. I’m not trolling (I swear).
[Reply]
Dominick (defrim65) Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
It would help if I at least spelled “Dominick” right.
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Mars Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:05 pm
@Dominick (defrim65), Damn beat me to it.
I always check my name before I post, I am always worried someone will catch me doing that.
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any body love all the butt hurt fans on the nhl forums about that vezina article? Even though i think Quick deserves to win, i really don’t think he will based on all the east coast bias. Even if it is voted by the GM’s i still think the GM;s on the east don’t notice Quick as much as they notice lundqvist
[Reply]
What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:03 pm
@The Batman, Yeah, saw that. Unbelievable! They may as well have said “can’t win–he’s on the left coast.”
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:12 pm
@The Batman, I keep trying to ignore all the “coast” chatter, but damn it is hard too. It is in your face all the time.
**Best Barney Stinson impression^^
Statistically speaking, the refs rule against the Kings 78% of the time… True Fact.
Its in the BROferee book the NHL gives the the zebras. True Story.
[Reply]
The Batman Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 1:13 am
@Mars, lol nice
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Looking at the standings tonight, I have to say that things are lining up in a very positive way for the Kings. Given the alternatives, a match up with Chicago is the most favorable first round for us. I expect NSH to bury DAL tomorrow, which also cements Chicago in 6th place. The opportunity is right there. Kings just need to handle their bidness to take 3rd.
Did you see that ridiculous 5 min major boarding penalty against STL tonight? It was for a glancing blow on Stuart, who dropped like he was tased, I am SO glad that we will not be playing the Ref Wings in the first round.
And someone show that video to Stoll before the playoffs, please!
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:15 pm
@Kenny44, I like the typo ref wings. Totally explains the inmates on the ice sometimes.
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:17 pm
@Mars, Typo?
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:25 pm
@Kenny44, I thought the 2nd to last line where you typed “Ref Wings” was a typo, if it was not, then it was pure genius! I know I will be using it a lot, LOVE IT!
I am not really sure if the Kings truly get hosed by the refs and Toronto more than other teams because I am biased; but at times it really feels like it. Not complaining about the penalties we make/take those are what they are, but more so the lack of missed calls we get.
I know I should let the officiating gripes go, but I feel we got burned a lot this year and last year pretty badly compared to most.
But at the same time, glad the oilers coach got slapped 10k serves himright for the bad trades.
Kenny44 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:49 pm
@Mars
It wasn’t a typo. I’ve used that slur for Detwah for a while. Feel free to spread it around, of course, and thanks for the compliment
GKG!
The war of words heating up between the Flyers and the Penguins is outstanding! Even Mike Milbury kicked Crosby right in the mouth and basically called him a hypocritical little punk. Remember this, Malkinn cross checked Willie Mitchell right in the head, thats what caused his concussion.
Bottom line, those 2 are snipes when they have to be for sure. Their not choir boys.
[Reply]
Mars Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:29 pm
@puck73, I have cracking up on it too. They need to make a series about that, not behind the flyers rangers but all the intermixing of the NHL trash talks and bad blood.
Where was the NHL team shows with Avery around HAHA! Another example of the east coast bias there too, man they are all over the place this week, or heck maybe I dont notice.
[Reply]
Kenny44 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:46 pm
@puck73, Don’t forget Malkin’s last second cheap shot elbow on Simmonds a couple of years ago. I will definitely be watching that series, too.
If John Ziegler was still NHL Commissioner, Craig Berube would have Shanahan’s job.
I love the first round of the playoffs – so much intense hockey, it’s sensory overload! The twelve days of Puckmas!
[Reply]
DesertKing Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 11:19 pm
@puck73,
Kinda sounds like you and @poorman in the “good ole days.”
[Reply]
jess Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 12:01 am
@DesertKing,
Yeah bring it back! @Poorman is so fun to kick in the mouth after he has duct-taped himself into his own chair for self abuse reasons unknown.
[Reply]
Man I am so antsy for tomorrow and Saturday. More freaked out than I have been about the Kings in some time
Think I will wear my Brown t-shirt tomorrow.
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 10:58 pm
@Mars, You cannot go wrong with the Brown selection. I expect a big game from him. He knows what’s on the line and will push harder than anyone.
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Minimum of 40 games:
Quick:
1st GAA 1.89
1st SV% .931 (tie w/Hank)
1st Shutouts 10
His record isn’t as good as Lundqvist. That’s the only problem. But his goal support isn’t as good either.
I think you might be able to rule out the East Coast biased on this one. Half the GM’s voting are not in that conference.
A big game tomorrow night for JQ could push him over the top. Then rest him the last game locking in his stats.
[Reply]
Gustavo Reply:
April 4th, 2012 at 11:56 pm
@LA_1968,
Screw the stats and screw the Vezina. WIN THE DIVISION FIRST!!!!
[Reply]
LA_1968 Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 9:09 am
@Gustavo, This isn’t like going for a scoring title or some selfish individual trophy. If he let’s in LESS goals it does help us win both things.
[Reply]
I guess we should be a little mad at Quick.
It seems like he takes some “heat” about some of DD’s bad plays that cost us a goal. (the quote from the article linked in the artcile from RH above… “He’s very humble,’’ Doughty said. “He expects a lot from himself. One of the good things about him is, if he lets in a goal and it’s completely, say, my fault, you tell him, `Sorry, Quickie, that was my fault,’ and he always says, `No, no, I should have had it. It’s not your fault”
So DD used Quick taking the blame to get his $7mil paycheck.
isnt that like sitting next to the smart kid in class during a test?
[Reply]
only 20 hrs 29 minutes till sj vs kings and maybe by that point we will have clinched a playoff spot…gkg
[Reply]
Since so many posters are changing their blog names, I was thinking of changing mine too. I was going to use SupercalifragilisticexpealidotiousGKG but I couldn’t spell it. Then I thought about DessertKing, but that made me hungry, then I thought about KingRaider, but then everyone would call me a gangster, and then I thought of KomponForever(in Saskatoon), but I didn’t want to be banned from Sakatoon, so I decided to just stay as DesertKing, even though that name makes me thirsty and I drink more soda.
[Reply]
Duncanz Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 3:28 am
@Dessert King, Well, if you closed your eyes and thought really hard for a few hours you might even imagine the one I’d have plumped for – possibly.
They were all good, but if I were forced to vote for a new one it would be for,
‘@WillCoachForNachos’. It would be cooler still if your name really were ‘Will Coach’ …
It must be late! Goodnight..
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DesertKing Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 8:41 am
@Duncanz,
Perfect!!!
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Bob Mackenzie on picking JQ for the Vezina:
“Jonathan be nimble, Jonathan be quick;
Some nights it seems like the LA Kings forwards play without sticks!!!”
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KC23 Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 7:43 am
@bmova, Bob is by far the most respected one of the group. I’m starting to get the vibe that Quick might just win the Vezina.
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Quick deserves and should win the Vezina. Good thing GM’s vote for this, at least there is a chance. Had it been the media Quick would never win as most all go to bed by 11pm EST.
Ok now back to the important stuff (Vezina stuff is off season stuff.) Tomorrow’s games that affect the Kings r as follows.
Stars at Preds – We all know what we need from this game. The Stars need to lose in Regulation. If for some reason that doesn’t happen and the Stars win, well that will make either the Kings or Sharks nervous. Go Preds. If the Stars win, well just keeps up with the craziness that is the Pacific. We all know the Avs want the Preds to win, as do the other 3 Pacific Division teams.
Sharks at Kings – If the Preds win in Regulation by the time the Puck drops in Los Angeles the Kings will have clinched a Playoff spot and AEG will then ring up every season ticket holder, that chose Pay 4 Play, credit card. Also it would be one less worry on the game. The Kings will know that if they win this game they only need to worry about Phoenix in terms of winning the Division and seeding. The Kings need to do all they can to put San Jose away and get them to be reckless and make mistakes in trying to catch up and win. SJ needs to win this game if they want to make the Playoffs. Lose and they will need to count on others to make it. GO KINGS GO!!!! Win and then Watch the TV Friday Night and the Division may be Won.
Blue Jackets at Avalanche – This game doesn’t affect the Kings any. However it does affect the 8th seed. If Colorado wins there last 2 games in Regulation or OT and SJ loses both games to the Kings in Regulation and Dallas goes 1 and 1 or loses final 2 in regulation then Colorado gets the 8th spot tied with San Jose but will have tiebreaker. That would be awesome.
Now it would be great for the Kings to win both Shark games and the Sharks to be knocked out of the playoffs, whether it is Dallas or Colorado taking the spot. We will see and the next 3 nights (hopefully 2) will be MUST SEE TV……
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Wilmonde Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 4:13 am
@Jeff_R, Because of the way things would have to fall, I’m actually rooting for the Avs to make it into the playoffs. If they make it, it means the Kings have won both games against the Sharks. At least we know of one other group of NHL fans that are helping to root on the Kings!
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I sincerely hope Quicker gets the Vezina, but oh man will that cost DL and the Kings in cap space when they try and extend him. I can hear his agent now:”that will be 7+ large, please”.
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Shuchuk Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 3:39 am
@src, Exactly. Let’s be careful what we wish for. Doighty’s Norris consideration clearly drive his pricetag through the roof.
The Cup > any popularity contest trophy. Ain’t no East Coast Bias regarding who wins the CUP
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Shotongoal Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 6:58 am
@src, It’s the “price of doing business” and the Kings will gladly pay-up as long as Quick wants to stay in LA. And, there hasn’t been any indications that he doesn’t so this is not a problem. Teams gladly pay their top players top money, and Quick would definitely fall under that category.
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The pressure is on tonight!! Quick will be depended on heavily. Huge 2 games ahead of us
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14.5 more hours….and only 12 more hours for the appetizer game…
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Duncanz Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 9:04 am
@Shakes,
SUTTER; “Doin’ a little bit of ‘scoreclock’ watchin’ over there on the East Coast?”
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The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that Quick should not only be Vezina, but should get MVP as well.
You’re talking about a player who has pretty much single-handedly taken the team on his shoulders and has them on the verge of not only a playoff spot, but the divison title as well. It’s not even close that he’s the team MVP.
There are certainly a number of other players deserving of the Hart trophy (Malkin), but you can’t say he deserves it more than JQ.
It’s not like this team has gone thru some scoring slumps this year…it’s been a constant scoring slump from the very beginning. We’ve been playing playoff hockey since the new year where almost every game is life or death. They’ve given him little to no offensive support, yet he’s carried them to the point they’re at now.
If that’s not an MVP candidate, I don’t know what is. Malkin has been incredible, but if he goes 4 or 5 games without getting a goal, Pittsburgh has other players that can and have contributed some. If JQ had 4 or 5 “bad” games in a row, we’tre not talking about division title or playoffs, but who will be the new coach/gm of the team next year. That’s incredible pressure he’s had to face.
In all of my years of watching hockey, I haven’t seen a more impressive season given the circumstances, than what JQ has shown us this year.
To me he should be the league MVP!
Go Kings!
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puck73 Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 7:41 am
@nykingfan, Great points as usual, although they are not officially in yet. That may become a reality depending on what happens tonite. If the Kings win tonite, they are definately in, and I would be stunned and excited to be in the playoffs because they did not look like a playoff team for much of the season, and played some of the most boring hockey I have ever been subjected to. Thank God Leslie Nielson is not the coach anymore!
Also, if the Kings win these 2 games, I would think Quick will win the Vezina.
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Shakes Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 7:41 am
@nykingfan,
“Malkin has been incredible, but if he goes 4 or 5 games without getting a goal, Pittsburgh has other players that can and have contributed some. If JQ had 4 or 5 “bad” games in a row, we’tre not talking about division title or playoffs, but who will be the new coach/gm of the team next year.”
I think that’s the best comment on the topic i’ve heard.
And to be fair, it’s an issue which is unique with goalies versus any other position, which implicitly leads to the view that a truly dominating goalie on a team that points-wise bearly makes the playoffs should always be MVP… and you know what, that makes sense. If the roles were reversed, and the Kings were cruising into the playoffs with a 100+ pt season but the Rangers were fighting it out until the final game(s) and King Henrik was playing like he is now, but with even better numbers, I would’ve said that it should goto to Henrik then.
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I don’t usually get this kind of feeling on game day until the playoffs. I’m pretty darn excited about tonights game.
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For as long as i can remember i told my wife and friends “If the kings can just get a good goalie, they would start winning” And honestly that is exactly what has happened. Before Quickie my fav goalie was Rudy. I don’t think fans should get jerseys with players names, just seems silly. But if i was to break that rule i would get Quickie’s. I hope i get the chance to meet him someday and shake his hand and thank him for everything he has done for the Kings and for the Fans.
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puck73 Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 7:54 am
@pr0cess, You mean Kelly Hrudey? Rudy was that overachiever who played for Notre Dame.
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pr0cess Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 7:59 am
@puck73, ya Kelly lol
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Shakes Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 7:55 am
@pr0cess,
I got a Quick jersey. You should too. No matter what happens, unless he starts killing people or demands to get paid more somewhere else in some sorta ugly showdown later in his career (the Blake Effect), both of which seem like unlikely scenarios, people will always point at him as being an exception Kings goalie. Hence the jersey can always be worn with pride
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pr0cess Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 8:01 am
@Shakes, I don’t get players jerseys cause to me its their’s and im not them. But ya Quick is special
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Not sure if this has been mentioned!! Of course it has but i have never seen a more Lazy player than Dustin Penner… He is terrible he stands around and waits for the puck hardly moves his feet and when he does he tires quickly and gives up. He’s my only concern going into the playoffs. Games will be close and it could take only 1 costly mistake… just sayin.. as far as Quickie, not even a question in my mind. By the way i thought he was great as one of the kids in “The Hunger Games”… wait that wasnt him???
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pr0cess Reply:
April 5th, 2012 at 8:06 am
@flakingsfan, ya penner is a waste of talent, guess that is what happens when you win the Cup out of the gate… you have nothing more to work for
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Suite tickets were not available for tonites game. That being said, I was thinking of hanging out, and watching the game somewhere over at the espn zone/LA Live area. If this is something that interests some of you on the site, let me know. Alot of people on the site already have my cell number. For those who dont, contact me at mikebrnstn@gmail.com and I will forward it to you and maybe some of us can hook up out there tonight so we can soak up the atmosphere. It would especially be awesome if the Kings win tonite, clinch, and put the Sharks in a world of hurt!
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10hrs till nash v dal and 12 till our boys begin shark destruction
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All Kings fans know this, but it bears repeating…if Quick had just an average offense in front of him, he’d be running away with the Vezina. I mean, if you look at the player that most outside of the Kings are saying might win, Lunquist, his team has scored 219 goals so far this year.
We should all wonder at what Quick’s record would look like if the Kings would have scored almost 40 more goals than their current total of 181.
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It’s pretty cut and dry for me. I am a long time kings fan and am trying to look at it just by the numbers. Elliot is impressive with 9 shutouts in so few starts and his save % and gaa is nothing to scoff at. But the lack of starts to me puts him behind Quick. Henrik has a higher gaa, same save %, fewer shutouts and 4 more wins than quick. Quick has more starts, more saves, more shutouts, 2nd in the league in gaa has more starts and has faced and stopped more shots than henrik. Add in the lack of goal support for quick who has 9 losses in games where he gave up 1 or 0 goals and to me Quick is the Vezina winner.
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Fans need to be chanting Quicker when he makes a great save. QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER! QUICK-ER!
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