Jonathan Bernier left the ice first at the morning skate at Toyota Sports Center, which is a likely indication that he will start tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. More updates and quotes to come.
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No matter where you go, there you are…
–Go with the hot goalie.
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Real 7 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 10:37 am
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, YES!
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Kings Fan In Temecula Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:08 am
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, oh man, poor quick cant be happy about it, ‘specially when its the weak D that got him in trouble D:
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Nickcypress Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:29 am
@Kings Fan In Temecula, Quick has been off since the beginning of the season. That last goal in Detroit was pretty soft.
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LA_1968 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 1:10 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, One game winning streak baby. Well, he might get the start again in Chicago if things go well tonight. I hope so. Quick is going to be better for this if that happens. Plus Coach Sutter needs to be consistent with performance plays. That’s what got us the cup so stick with it.
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Finally.
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knew this was coming. from Sutter’s quotes yesterday. “ride the hot goalie” “not a goalie who needs a pat on the back.”
Here’s Bernier’s chance. He’s been whining for over a year about getting a shot. here it is. don’t mess it up. cause we wanna trade you for something good!
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Real 7 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 10:39 am
@gboi, how long has it been since Bernie got two starts back-to-back?
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 10:46 am
@Real 7, Never?
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Real 7 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 10:47 am
@BrokeKingsFan, I think you’re right..
FKA PakiFro Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 10:50 am
@Real 7,
He’s did it twice under TM (once when he got called up when Quick had his baby after the olympics) and once under MC
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Real 7 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:02 am
@FKA PakiFrolov, I stand corrected….
Michael J. Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 10:50 am
@Real 7,
Since TM had no faith in EE.
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scositgoes Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:11 am
@gboi, First of all, How can you even say that Bernier has been “Whining” for a start.. He has been a reported great team player and works hard in practice… Bernier DESERVES to start and DESERVES to play more, He is a great goalie.. And I think you, along with many others Fail to attribute our playoff success to the Strong Defensive play from our defensmen and our strength up the middle in the center position… its not all about QUICK… get off his you know what.
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gboi Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 12:05 pm
@scositgoes, Whining = asking for a trade because you’re not playing enough. Which is what Bernier has done. He has been a good teammate by all reports but he did ask for a trade. Which is whining about playing time.
I agree he deserves to start and deserves to play more. I didn’t say that he didn’t deserve the start in my first post.
I also did not say/hint/imply, and I do not believe, that it was all Quick last season. We have an awesome team that won the cup. Those assumptions are wrong about me but maybe about other posters who you read on here.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 1:29 pm
@gboi, Whining is whining. Whining is not asking for a trade. There was no need to use a word with a negative connotation when this backup had been nothing but a team player. He is NOT whining.
And I for one do not WANT to trade him. If we need to in order to fill a hole, so be it. But I would prefer to keep him as cheap insurance to something happening to Quick and having to defend a Stanley cup with Martin Jones. In any case I do not want to see him do well “so we can get full value in a trade”. I want to see him do well because he STILL plays for the LOS ANGELES KINGS and we need a win. Badly.
would be interesting if Bernier has a great game tonight!!!!
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Michael J. Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 10:50 am
@neil,
I really hope he does.
Will poorman come back???
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Good deal…Im all for this! He looked better in last game than Quick has all season. Lets hope he carries over the stellar play and continues to make rebounds and second chances scarce
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Duncanz Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 10:54 am
@BrokeKingsFan, Not a great guage against a poor (and outside shooting) Blues team, but every game he can get at this point is a much needed chance to build his confidence.
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Nickcypress Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:31 am
@Duncanz, Don’t think the Blues are a “poor” team. Struggling yes, but far from poor.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 12:20 pm
@Duncanz, I would like to think the outside shots were more because of our D limiting them to the outside rather than it being becauese the Blues are a poor team.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, NickCypress,
Well, Blues played us like we played Preds (twice), I thought.
Kings played a fine game, but that was Blue’s 5th L on the trot and you could see they were skating with no confidence in themselves and generally looked lost out there.
If Wings don’t mercifully let them off the hook after taking the worst lead in hockey the other night, Blues are 0-6 in their last 6.
They’re struggling.
Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 10:55 am
@BrokeKingsFan, Also got to remember that Bernier played during the lockout whereas Quick didn’t.
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Real 7 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:13 am
@Jeff_R, good point…
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I posted a few days ago that this is Bernier’s opportunity to change the course of career for his benefit, the Kings benefit, his future team’s benefit. Should he play to his potential over the next several weeks he will give Sutter reason to play him more often, he will give his current team more points in the standings, he will give Quickie some needed rest, he will give other teans reason to want him on their roster, and he will give DL hwat he wants in return when he is traded.
It can be a win-win for all possible parties involved. It all depends on how JB responds to his opportunity.
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Shuchuk Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 6:25 pm
@Michael J., yeah, 100% agree. The better Bernier plays the better return we get when he is dealt.
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Agree that Bernie looked good in the last game. But remember that the team played a pretty stellar game in StL compared to prior games with Quicker in goal. Albeit, JQ isnt his old self yet.
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scositgoes Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:13 am
@cntrmn19, If Bernier had let in the goals that quick did lately, you wouldnt be saying anything about the teams play in front of him, you would only be crucifing bernier.. This QUICK cult is ridiculous.. Our TEAM Defense was BEST in the League last year in playoffs, as well as the two way game of Our Centers was awesome.. it is not all about Quick
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King John Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 1:06 pm
@scositgoes, BUT QUICK was AWESOME!!
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cntrmn19 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 3:23 pm
Im not dissing Bernie at all and did say JQ is surely less than his last years self. Agreed that team play was tops last year and most of their play this year would hamper any goalies GAA. Soft goals are a reality but cant become commonplace. JQ gave up few last year but too many this year. JB had a sort of a rough go last year partly because of little game time but IMO the team just didnt play that confident in front of him. This year, after waking up in the last few games, they realize that Quickie or Bernie need better play in front. I just hope they continue the tenacity they had during the last 30 or so games of last year.
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 12:26 pm
@cntrmn19, I kind of wondered about the fact they played better in from of JB…could it be that they take Quick and his skills for granted now and feel they can press more offensivly and slack off a bit due on the D side thinking Quick will have it covered? Or they are not as confident with JB and therefor make sure they are playing a tight defensive system and have more focus on limiting shots and chances as much as possible?
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Cntrmn19 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, I think last year tthat Quicks play gave the team great confidence and they would sorta let down when Bernie was in net. Their improved play the last few games IMO has resulted from finally a realizing that last year is past and they have to pick up their game as a whole and not look to the goalkeeper to bail them from any sub par play. Both JB and JQ will benefit. Soft goals are a reality in the game. They just cant become a habit. Just like a forward covers the point when a defenseman goes in deep with the puck, or a goalie makes the big save on a defensemans mistake, so should a teammate expend the additional effort after a soft goal to help makeup for that mistake
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It’s safe to say that Bernier got screwed over the most during the lockout. He would have been the number one guy for at least half the season and really would have been able to show his worth to the team. Instead, Quick recovered just in time when the lockout ended.
I don’t doubt Quick as the number one. But you do feel for Bernier sometimes as he has been very patient after his fit when he got sent down to his Junior team.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:01 am
@FKA PakiFro, I don’t know if JB would exactly feel screwed over, though.
He would have gotten that half season by default due to JQ’s recuperation and would have, either way by now, been in a battle against the goalie the Kings have already conmitted to long term.
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Quick stepped off the ice only moments ago. Richardson, Fraser and Campbell still skating. Seems pretty clear Bernier is in.
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Jeff_R Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 10:57 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I thought Quick would start so that he didn’t have so much time off between starts, but Sutter is King and knows best. Still believe no matter what happens Quick will start on Sunday in Chicago.
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puck73 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:05 am
@Jeff_R, I feel Quick will start Sunday as well.
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Real 7 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:06 am
@Jeff_R, that brings up a ‘what if’ scenario….what if Bernie has an outstanding, stand-on-his-head game tonight?…would Sutter then go with the ‘hot hand’, as he has stated he would..?..
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Duncanz Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:24 am
@Real 7, A win vs SLB, a shutout tonight (that doesn’t jinx it, does it?) and DS has no choice as DL will make him well aware of what befell his predecessor after a misplaced decision in similar circumstances.
The dilemna only gets worse for the talent beleaguered, bronco riding, SC winning head coach … right?
Real 7 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:28 am
@Duncanzbeer, I say let’s ride ‘em, cowboy….no guts no glory…
LT21 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 4:29 pm
@Real 7, People these situations are not comparable. First of all, Bernier is facing the struggling Blues and the perma-aweful Blue Jackets. Not the highest quality of teams right now. And the TM move from last year was so controversial because he did it after Quick had 3 shutouts in a row! That was an insane stat AND he was the #1 goaltender… not the backup. That is why it was so taboo. Not the same situation here.
I think this what both Bernier and Quick need.
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Shuchuk Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 6:31 pm
@Cav Pilot, Yup. Bernier gets some playing time and Quick gets more motivational fuel.
I know everybody likes the “this isn’t baseball” line, but this isn’t football either, if you have 2 quality goalies use them! Especially in a short season.
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I’ll believe it when I see it. This ain’t baseball.
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puck73 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:15 am
@KC23, Aint that the truth. Sutter has changed his mind before and pulled a fast one on the media. wouldnt be the first time..
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Duncanz Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:16 am
@KC23, So how’s the status of your house today, @KC?
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KC23 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:29 am
@Duncanz, game day, it’s serious. Bringing my A game as a fan tonight.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:49 am
@KC23, Did you realize I was referring to the comment you made on yesterday’s thread about betting the house?
And so it began.
Just as things settled back down to normalcy in one western goaltending-battle-to-the-death town, a new conflagration flared right up in another one.
Would JQ become the new sweet Valentine’s bouquet in every Maple Griefs nasal passages?
Would JB play out of his skin, only to be reinstalled to his pinely throne when the team’s goal production dropped through the floor and wins became hard to come by?
Will LA Kings fans disintegrate under the intense pressure amd burn their beloved town to the ground?
Like sands through the hour glass, these are the days of our …… sykes …. lol ….. kiss and make up?
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puck73 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:17 am
@Duncanz, Sounds like The beginning of the Batman show from the sixties with Adam West and Burt Ward.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:30 am
Holy jumpin’ midget goaltenders, @puckman!!
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DesertKing Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:32 am
@puck73,
KPOW$#@*!! SOCKO&*@!@#$!!
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Just Win Baby! Conn Smythe Quick will be fine, just a minor blip on the radar.
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Lets just Bernier can finish the game. With a win. We really need the 2 points.
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I don’t care who starts..I just want the 2 points.
JB looked solid last game but the D was outstanding including the forwards coming back.
Just win baby..damn, did I just quote Al Davis?
Go Kings Go!!!!!!
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DesertKing Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:28 am
@Nykingfan,
+1
To quote AL “Who is this Cable guy? I never heard of him.”
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Nykingfan Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
@DesertKing,
Lol
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BrokeKingsFan Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 12:33 pm
@Nykingfan, read my reply above to @cntrmn19 in regards to the D playing well in front of Bernier…long story short maybe they feel they can cheat alittle bit with JQ and feel they must maintain a solid and complete (no cheating) D game with JB due to less confidence in his ability to stop pucks since he hasnt been annointed Goalie god as Quick is to some
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LT21 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 4:31 pm
@BrokeKingsFan, Love it! Agree!
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We have probably the 2nd best tandem of goalies in the league. There is no reason we should be where we are in the standings.
Crawford will probably not play Sunday.
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If Bernier plays well.The value goes up…if he doenst…value goes down??? Or is that reading too uch into one game? The biggest question…Did anyone have the ba.. to ask D.S. who is starting tonight??
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Robyn Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:44 am
@neil, well they asked yesterday or the day before and he got pissed LOL so we’ll see soon if anyone was foolish enough to ask Sutter the baseball question.
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Finally my first game of the season! Glad to see Bernier get the start, he looked solid against the Blues and Quick has seemed a bit shaky so far this season. Either way get those 2 points boys we only have 48 games, this isn’t baseball!
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Per PA’s post from a few minutes ago, seems like JB is a sure starter tonight
Guess we’ll see if he keeps to that later
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Duncanz Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 11:52 am
@Robyn, Right, pen in Bernier.
See what I did there?
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I’m wondering how much of the surgery is still in Quick’s head? Just because a player is cleared to play and feels ok, that doesn’t mean that his mind doesn’t have some type of small doubts?
Sometimes it takes a while for a football player coming off knee surgery to totally trust his knee (AP not included but he’s about has close to Superman and the NFL has to offer). Maybe Quick is going through the same thing?
I’m glad JB is getting another start and hope he plays a bit more. It can only help his trade value because the biggest knock on him is a lot of talk about potential and not a whole lot of sample size.
Either way, this team needs to score goals and get back on track.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 12:30 pm
@gvineq, Substitute ‘Mitchell’ for ‘Quick’ and you have a faultless post for the next ‘Where’s Willie’ thread Mr Rosen puts up!
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No big deal, Quicker will be back for the Blackhawks. Bernie did look good last game though. If only we had our defense intact, it wouldn’t matter who’s hot, let’s just hope the D tonight will help them out.
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It makes sense to rotate goalies, especially if you have 2 good ones. After a while, it would seem that other teams would “get to know” the same goaltender and learn how to exploit weaknesses. So, good for Bernie, this a a short hangover year anyway, so it makes sense for him to finally get some work in, to prove his worth to the team and to the league.
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Bernier gets his chance, and this decision should also light a fire under Quick’s tush.
Also, if Coach doesn’t reward the good effort of Bernier, doesn’t that show a double standard to everyone else? Uniform, consistent enforcement of “you mess up, you sit”.
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One game doesn’t prove anything. Let’s see he can do it again.
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LT21 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 4:07 pm
@goldielocks, Agree. But at the same time, let’s consider who Bernier has been facing. The seriously struggling Blues and… well… the Blue Jackets. Not exactly the leagues elite teams lately. Him playing well against those teams is expected and if it didn’t happen then I really question who our backup goalie is. If Quick lets in a goal against Chicago on Sunday we shouldn’t all be questioning who the #1 goaltender is. The competition is exactly apples to apples here people.
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LT21 Reply:
February 15th, 2013 at 4:33 pm
@LT21, *isn’t exactly apples to apples
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