Jonathan Bernier stopped 26 of 27 shots and was the Kings’ best penalty killer in Wednesday’s 3-1 win over Calgary. He has won three consecutive starts for the first time since March 11, 15 and 29, 2011 and for the third time in his career.
On the team’s performance, and what he saw from Calgary:
“They came out hard in the third. We ran a little bit of PK and they had some good quality chances, but I thought our execution was really good. Our passing was really crisp tonight, and we scored some big goals to get the lead.”
On his own rhythm after wins in three consecutive starts:
“I think it’s all about the team. If you look at it, four wins out of five, and that’s what we wanted to be. Now we’ve just got to focus to be a home team. We have sa lot of games coming up at home, and we’ve got to find a way to be a strong team at home and find those wins.”
On whether it’s encouraging that a young defense allowed two goals over the past two games:
“For sure. I think we play so well as a team, so when we’re on our game, our forward helps our D, and [for the] goalie, same thing. It just makes it a lot easier for everyone. You can tell when we’re on our game.”
Great game Bernie
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So can we!
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linny Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:11 pm
@kissmyblarneystones, hi blarney…since I may not have enough time to catch up w u in the future…here, finally is what I believe is the answer u were looking for re: lokti trade: what would I expect to give up or b willing to give,
well here ya go: sinnce he had a higher prospect rating #7.5 according to ‘hockeysfuture’ w many compliments about his skating n offensive skills in general than the next 20 prospects on the kings now (aside from toffolli) and the ones (aside from D,oughty) who DL picked that r now on the kings (like lewis n clifford) AND stating that he had 2nd line forward potential AND that he could play on pk n pp units, n good in faceoff circle…AND tncluding the fact that usually when he got called up he got to play with Westgarth n similar talent….I’d have given a 3rd. I can’t respond for awhile so if u respond I may not c it. If this is not what u were asking….not much I can do about it.
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hiway39 Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 8:28 am
@linny,
other teams also see that lokti had no shot of skating in the top 6 with the kings. why would they overpay for him? he’s not a bottom six guy, so really he’s just wasting away in the AHL. getting anything for him would’ve been a plus.
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KingsGRT Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 8:30 am
@hiway39, AND he was just dumped right back down to the AHL by the devils anyways, so it doesn’t look like they thought THAT highly of him anyways
linny Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 9:27 am
@hiway39, I don’t want to go round n round on this I was just answering a specific question from several days ago. I still think he can make it based on above n what I saw in him. Its very subjective n remains to b seen if he ever has any impact in NHL….still possible. He doesn’t fit DL’s mold but he could find a spot soon on one of several teams who r ready to start a “youth” movement n rebuild their entire teams (according to a couple of analysts) on the NHL nlogs
“our forward helps our D”
Nice. Seems like the adjustment to life with out Willie Greene is finally taking hold. If it means more D coverage by the forwards and they can still win, basically come playoff time, this team will be impossible to beat. Or we don’t make the playoffs…
“You can tell when we’re on our game.”
Right? Right.
If the Kings played Calgary first on this roadie, it might not have gone so well. I think playing Speedy E last night woke up on mr. momentum’s right side of the bed. Good riddance hangover. Calgary can have it. Oh yeah, and we’re taking Sutter with us!
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 10:18 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), I thought so too. I thought the Kings still had jump in their step from the night before against Edmonton. Made me wonder if a lot of teams clean Calgary’s clock right after playing Edmonton this season.
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Yes, this this is what I was talking about a week ago…having the forwards help out our D in our zone. Forwards basically did NOT pressure the opposition in our own zone like they did during the cup run. The D did not get any help.
Kings playing well last 4 games except the other day against the Hawks.
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I like watching 45 play. Fun game to watch tonight.
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Sounds like Bernier played really well. Congrats JB!
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Mikey J. Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:03 pm
@DesertKing, You miss the game too. Not easy missing games. Glad Bernier played well.
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Like what I’m hearing here. We’ve heard it from quick before. Deflect all self praise to the team and absorb the blame in failure! Best stretch of his career that I can remember though!
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LGK!! Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 11:43 pm
@tornado12, it’s the only “stretch” he’s had
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No wifi on this flight – notes and most quotes will be posted in the morning.
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Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com) Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
@JonRosen, Then how are you posting this?
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 1:04 am
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), He wasn’t on the flight yet?
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jet Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:45 pm
@JonRosen, Just have them lay over in Denver so you can upload.
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King2Peat Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 2:19 am
@JonRosen,nice interview tonight. Welcome aboard!! Feed us insider news!!
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The spirit of TM is still with us and it is great to see. There have been at least 6 cases in the past two games where a King forward was in our blue.
Another interesting point is Elerby’s unsteadiness under pressure, where the dmen from our system are much more comfortable and calm moving the puck in their own end. I guess years of camps focusing on basics really helps.
Not to take anything away from Sutter, because he was able to rebuild the D’s confidence during the Hawks game. That 3rd period may have been the turning point in the season.
Brown has been dominate the past 2 games. We have to leave him on the left side, even if Penner is not fully comfortable on the right.
Last note, Bob is funnier in cold weather.
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jess Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:08 pm
@jet,
Yeah the spirit of TM with a strong forcheck and D pinching in?? No.
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jet Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:31 pm
@jess, Hey, TM started sending 2 in last season. Your are mostly right wrt the D
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Bernier has got to play more games this year.
Quick is starting to show why he was playoff MVP, and a Vezina candidate(which he should of won).
Bernier is on fire!
It’s nice knowing that we have 2 top goaltenders.
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Beating bottom feeders is critical, but let’s not get carried away with feeling we’re all that. We get past the Ducks and Wings and I’ll be a lot more impressed.
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jet Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:50 pm
@KC23, But, we are getting experience for the 4 new defencemen while still winning. With all the bad breaks we have had, it is a perfect time to play teams below the line right now.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:59 pm
@jet, Great point!
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Duncanz Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:32 pm
@KC23, Ducks and Hawks, especially – Wings are a declining force – but the point is well taken.
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 6:11 am
@KC23, Exactly.
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Pens/ Flyers Classic eastern conference free for all. No stress fun, like watching a sitcom. What the hell is a goalie doing wearing #92? That’s just wrong.
Blues / Avs. Tarasenko had his reset button punched, but good. Welcome to the League kid. What league? The National Hockey League, you know, in North America . . . OK kid, back to the quiet room.
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Gmo Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:51 pm
@Kenny44,
Those flyers/pens games are very entertaining, just seems that just about every shot on net is a goal. Who ever shoots last wins
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:02 pm
@Gmo, yeah, that playoff series last year was downright primitive
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jet Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 10:51 pm
@Kenny44, Simmonds dominated that game. He was brought along the right way.
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Kenny44 Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:05 pm
@jet,
He has good patience with the puck, and now he’s encouraged to use that to score.
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rogiesbackup Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:01 pm
@Kenny44, Saw the highlights on that one…Senko looked like he was hit by Pacquiao!! Lights out! Yakupov needs that welcome too!
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(off topic) Have feeling Hawks gonna play “500 hockey” now that Hossa is gone!
I heard Camelleri was traded for draft picks…..Who did we get in the draft for him???
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jet Reply:
February 20th, 2013 at 11:28 pm
@rogiesbackup, in a round about way, Penner and Deslauriers
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Neil Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 8:52 am
@rogiesbackup, it had more to do with freeing up money…
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 10:20 am
@Neil, They basically did cancer surgery when they traded away Camalleri.
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I can’t imagine that some team with a need in goal wouldn’t trade a first round pick for Bernie. Caps got a first and a second for Varlamov, so that should be the comparable. Tampa bay? Philly? Who’s gonna step up?
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 1:14 am
@LB, IF DL were to trade Bernier at this point I would say get a solid stay at home defenseman or a forward that can help chip in some goals. Personally I’d rather keep him as cheap insurance against something happening to Quick, even if DS doesn’t end up playing him as much as he’s been lately. I can’t see that a draft pick, even a first, is that important. A few years back, yes, but we are now quite a bit deeper and will need to make room for Toffoli, Pearson, etc. as it is.
Remember too that if you trade Bernier you then have to obtain another backup Goalie. Most reports I’ve heard state that Martin Jones is NOT NHL ready just yet.
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Simarosa Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 7:15 am
@HockeyNerd,
Jones certainly isn’t ready for the NHL, unfortunately, many days I don’t think he’s ready for the AHL. I hold my breath on a regular basis when the puck is near Jones.
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LB Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 8:45 am
@HockeyNerd,
Nobody is willing to trade a solid top 4 defenseman right now, according to Lombardi. Also Bernier has long time starter written all over him so I don’t think a defensive dman is not enough of a return in the long term. Forget Martin Jones, there are better goalies in the NHL waiting for a chance, plus if the Ducks found Fasth in Europe and he’s so good, there’s gotta be a few goalies available who are not as good but solid. We’re talking about a backup that might play 10 to 15 games a year.
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LB Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 8:47 am
@LB, sorry I meant “is enough of a return”
By the way, I’m not thinking about trading him during the season, but after the season is over and there have to be teams that realize by then that their goalie won’t get it done.
Jonathan Bernier looks awesome, I hope they keep playing him. When he is on he makes it looks so effortless.
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We signed Quick for 10 years, but there is also no way we should waste Bernier on the bench, eithier play him 25-30 games a year or trade him. I rather keep him to raise him value to the max then get a top 4D in a year or 2 to replace Mitchel. Trading him this year would be a huge mistake unless CBJ gives us their first pick..
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 10:21 am
@KopiStar, It already seems to be in the cards that he’ll probably be gone at the trade deadline. He can and should demand too high a salary cap bump to keep.
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paige Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 11:58 am
@What’s the frequency, Kenneth?, Agreed. He has made it clear that he, understandably wants to go somewhere he will play more. He is an RFA, and his contract is up this year. What does that do to his trade value? Does That means the Kings either trade him for a little something now, or use him for playoff run/insurance and see him go for nothing after the season? As much as I think he is worth more than a good draft pick, with his contract up, can the Kings get very much for him?
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 21st, 2013 at 2:20 pm
@paige, There will be a team that thinks what separates them from the playoffs, or doing damage in the playoffs, this year and for years to come, is goaltending. Hopefully, there’ll be two or three, and mostly in the eastern conference.
That team is (those teams are) what we expect to see when approaching the trade deadline. isn’t Toronto supposed to be one of those teams?
“we won 4 out of 5″
yeah guess which goalie dropped that one?
Bernier is our starter
Go Kings
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