`Unbelievable’ Quick impresses Kings

Timing can be a funny thing. On Monday morning, the NHL announced that Jonathan Quick was its “first star’’ of the week, after three consecutive shutouts. A few hours later, Terry Murray announced that Jonathan Bernier, not Quick, would get the start tomorrow night against New Jersey. Murray said he planned the move before Saturday, when Quick recorded his third consecutive shutout and received the honor from the league.

MURRAY: “It’s great recognition, obviously. It’s a team recognition, in my mind, because it takes a lot of people to make that stuff happen. But Quicker was outstanding in those games and I’m very happy for him.’’

Quick has been getting league-wide attention of late, but nothing has really changed in the Kings’ locker room, where Quick’s play — and his attitude on and off the ice — have been a consistent source of pleasure for his teammates. Drew Doughty, out injured, got a chance to appreciate Quick from afar this week.

DOUGHTY: “Quickie has been unbelievable. He’s been standing on his head the last couple games, minus I guess the St. Louis one. Last game, he was unbelievable. He kept us in that game. Without him, we maybe would not have won that game. He played great and he deserves all the accolades he’s getting. Three shutouts is unbelievable. I’m so proud of him and we’re all thankful, especially his defensemen, for how good he is back there. … Off the ice, too, Quickie is unbelievable. Everything is always his fault, when clearly it wasn’t. He takes the blame for everything, when he shouldn’t be. Most goalies, it’s `You guys are screening me, get out of my way,’ that kind of thing. He’s the exact opposite, so that’s why we all love Quicker off the ice, as a person, and obviously as a goalie and a teammate.’’