Enroth “more ready” for number two responsibilities

With Jhonas Enroth joining the Kings as a free agent, he’ll be deprived of facing an opponent he’s found success against – though one that comes with a warning of a small sample size.

Enroth has won only one of his three career games against Los Angeles, though he’s stopped 97 of a total 101 shots for a .960 save percentage that ranks second best amongst his personal stats against all NHL clubs. Last December 9, he stopped all 34 shots in a 1-0 win over the Kings at the First Niagara Center in a game in which the Kings out-attempted the Sabres 57-18 at even strength but were felled by a third period Tyler Ennis power play goal.

“Yeah, I remember that game. I think that was one of my last couple of games for the Sabres, too,” said Enroth, who was traded from Buffalo to Dallas in February. “It’s definitely something good to have in the back of your mind, that you’ve been playing good against these guys here. It’s something to fall back on, I guess.”

Though Jonathan Quick is the entrenched and featured starter, the Kings won’t necessarily be looking to “fall back” on Enroth for starts; they’ll be looking to rely on a goalie with starting experience who can handle a wider load should Quick miss any extended period of time during the season. Los Angeles also has 13 back-to-back games this season, up from a league-low (tied with Winnipeg) nine in 2014-15.

“Obviously I want to play as many games as I can, but we have one of the best goalies in the league here and I’m just trying to focus on myself and trying to get ready for my next chance and just try to be sharp in practice and stuff like that,” Enroth said. “I think I’ve been in this situation before with Ryan [Miller] and I think with that experience I’m more ready now than when I was with Ryan.”

Jhonas Enroth, on the process of signing with the Kings:
Obviously I did my research. I was looking at teams that needed goalies and stuff like that. The Kings came up on my radar when they traded Jones there right before the deadline. I knew they were interested and I think it was a great fit and I’m happy to be here.

Enroth, on his first impression of the team:
You can tell this team has been pretty successful the last couple of years. It’s a lot of winners in here and they definitely know what it takes. So I’m just trying to soak up everything I can from the more experienced guys here. That was the biggest thing I noticed, that everyone is so passionate to win, I guess.

Enroth, on the challenges of joining a new dressing room:
I’m just trying to be myself and just trying to play my own game. Obviously it’s a lot different from where I’ve been before, but it’s a good experience and I’m just trying to get into a good groove and start playing well for the team.

Enroth, on whether he’s had an opportunity to get to know Jonathan Quick yet:
I didn’t know him before I signed here, obviously. But these two weeks have been great. He’s a very nice guy obviously and he seems to be very laid back and pretty easy to talk to. I like that. He’s a very nice guy.