Should Bernier have been the starter?

Before last night’s game, those of us media chatterboxes — those who cover the Kings and Avalanche — reached a consensus that Jonathan Bernier was all but certain to start in goal. Then, Jonathan Quick led the Kings onto the ice for warmups. Shows you what we know… Darryl Sutter’s decision wasn’t a total shock, though. Quick had a bad outing the night before in Phoenix, and there is a school of thought that would say, “Let him have a chance to redeem himself quickly.” After the game, Quick said he very much wanted to play, but he only lasted one period, as he allowed three goals and was pulled in favor of Jonathan Bernier. Today, without being asked, Sutter tossed out the idea that perhaps Bernier should have started the game.

SUTTER: “Maybe Bernie should have been the guy, but Quicker wanted to go back in, so you’ve got to do that.”

That said, Sutter didn’t lay blame for the defeat at Quick’s feet.

SUTTER: “I looked at our first period, and I think it was three or four mistakes, and they end up in our net. A couple of those kids are struggling right now, and you’ve got to help them through it.”