Darryl Sutter declined to name a starting goaltender for Friday’s game against Columbus, and it appears our first assessment as to who will lead the team out of the tunnel at Staples Center Friday night will take place when the first goaltender leaves the ice at tomorrow’s morning skate.
On the team’s performance over the last two games:
“I think we deserved a better fate against Detroit. Sometimes it doesn’t go your way like that. Obviously we played really well against St. Louis. We had a strong game. But there are things we definitely need to clean up and get better at and continue to work on as we move forward here.”
On what he’d like to see improve:
“I’d like to see myself get better. That’s the biggest thing.”
On how vocal he is with the defense:
“It’s great. Every play we’re talking to each other. Every time the puck’s in our end we’re talking.”
On whether he’s more vocal this year, considering the youth on defense:
“We have certain commands. Every time someone has the puck, or we see something, we’re yelling. I think you try to maybe do it a little more frequently, but at the same time you don’t want it to be overkill. You don’t want five guys yelling at you to do five different things. I think it’s about keeping it simple, no matter who’s out there, whatever the lineup is, whoever’s on the ice. It’s about keeping it simple and not over thinking and just making the smart play.”
On how anxious he is to start again:
“Yeah, obviously. You always want to play the games. It’s why you work so hard over the summer and during practice. You do all that work to play games, and you do all that work to play well. When you’re not playing them well, you always want to get back out here and try to do it again.”
On if he’s pinpointed an aspect of his game that needs improvement:
“Yeah, there are more goals going in. So that needs to be improved on.”
On Detroit’s game-winner, and how difficult it is to end a game like that:
“It’s a tough pill to swallow. It especially kind of hurts a little more, just because you know how hard the team played in front of me all night long. They worked really hard, and they deserved better. Finally to tie it up and to think we’re going to have an opportunity to play four-on-four overtime, possibly shootout, and then you kind of lose that opportunity. Obviously it’s going to sting a bit. You feel like you let a lot of guys down. At the same time, that’s part of the position. That’s what I signed up for. You’re going to have those ups and downs, and you’re going to give up goals you want back, and you’re going to make saves that maybe you shouldn’t have. That’s all what you signed up for. It’s how you handle it. It’s all about the next day. Obviously, you’ve got to come back and work hard in practice, which I felt I have the past few days. You look forward to get out there and help your team win the next game.”
On whether it’s still “a little weird” seeing Jack Johnson in a Blue Jackets jersey:
“It’s part of the game. Guys get traded. Guys get called up and sent down. Nothing’s guaranteed in this league. It is what it is…You hate to see him go, but its part of the game, and you know it’s a business. From my talks with him, he’s happy there. He really loves it there. That’s all that you hope for – that guys are happy where they’re at.”
On whether he noticed that Jack Johnson leads the league in ice time:
“I did notice that, yeah. He likes to play, so that’s good. That could be a reason why he is happy there. He’s playing a ton. He’s a big, big part of that team. They’ve got a nice, young group of players. Obviously, you can see they’re growing something special there. You’re just happy that he’s happy.”
Totally off subject: I loved seeing my wifes’ ex husband make a fool of himself
at the Condors’ game the other night. He was the guy with the Condor that got away.
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DesertKing Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:00 pm
@vegasking,
Don’t marry the condor.
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neil Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:15 pm
@DesertKing, always wear a condor…. That was my attempt at Duncanzing….
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vegasking Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:16 pm
@neil, Awesome!
Duncanz Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:49 pm
@neiling, Vulture capitalizing!
I love JQ. So blunt.
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Wow, Quick actually said more than 3 words in a row.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:03 pm
@DesertKing, Yeah. It’s wierd seeing him like that. Almost like he’s at the all-star game or something. I guess when he doesn’t say 4 words it means he is carrying the team.
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Glaring problems that I see this year as opposed from last year
# 1 Brown is not hitting everybody like last year
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:06 pm
@hockeyfanb4gretzky, Right, or like the last many years. I suspect he’ll be getting his mean streak back quickly.
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puck73 Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:08 pm
@hockeyfanb4gretzky, Good observation. One Thing I had noticed over the last several seasons…When Brown is taking the body at the start of games, usually the Kings fare well.
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Chip Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 1:25 pm
@hockeyfanb4gretzky,
Clifford already has half of everybody knocked down. There aren’t so many left to hit.
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KC23 Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 1:52 pm
@hockeyfanb4gretzky, When Brown is engaged we almost always win. I do get why Brown can’t do that throughout the regular season. He’d never make it to the playoffs health wise playing like that. Brown will be Brown soon enough.
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luc20rules Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
@hockeyfanb4gretzky, Brown was mentioned in an article as having two ice bags on his shoulder after the Detroit game. If he is playing thru a sore shoulder that might explain it. If he is 100% Brown is a wrecking ball out there. I hope we see that soon.
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One thing I love about him is that JQ NEVER blames anyone but himself.
And he’s still rehabbing, no matter what he says, so things will improve start by start.
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puck73 Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:09 pm
@bbb7, JQ is extremely mentally tough.
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Robyn Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
@puck73, agreed. But you have to be as a goalie
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luc20rules Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 2:13 pm
@puck73, I always like hearing Quick say he had a bad game, because he almost always comes back with a great game.
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DS has to know Quick is his man and needs to get him going. If he starts JB Friday is it to play the hot hand and maybe if JB plays well use him as trade bait? Or do we keep JB all season because of the uncertainty of Quicks play this year.
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Robyn Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:29 pm
@Cunning Plan, Dunno.if you saw any of his post practice quotes, but he said the team needs a hot goalie right now, not one to be patted on the back (his words, not mine). I suspect that JB will start tomorrow might
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Robyn Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
@Robyn, night*
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Stuck Working... Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 12:35 pm
@Cunning Plan,
JQ is the type that responds to DS’s style very well. He’s always been called the most competitive from his teammates, so sitting will more than likely fire him up!
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KC23 Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 1:53 pm
@Cunning Plan, I’d bet the house that Quick starts Friday.
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katlin Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 2:43 pm
@Cunning Plan, It would be a disaster to trade Bernier. I can’t imagine they would even entertain the idea. Bernier could be as good as Quick if they played him more. I’m even thinking JB will be the starting goalie tomorrow night.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 5:50 pm
@Cunning Plan, Quick starts Friday. I’d be very shocked if he didn’t.
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@lakingsbob(chi),
We’re going to be in your neck of the woods this weekend. Hoping you’ll be around. I’ll check back right here in case you saw this.
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JQ’s answer to the question regarding if he’s pinpointed any of his weaknesses is pure Sutter.
Sounds like he’s going to be a chip off the old block.
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King John Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 5:54 pm
@Duncanz, He sounded like Sutter to me too.
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mrbrett7 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 7:42 am
@Duncanz, I was going to point that one out as well.
On if he’s pinpointed an aspect of his game that needs improvement:
“Yeah, there are more goals going in. So that needs to be improved on.”
Brilliantness…
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JQ>Luongo + Schneider
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