The Kings' all-time goaltending list is admittedly not that impressive. Sure you have Rogie Vachon, Felix Potvin and Kelly Hrudey. But for each of those names, you have a Dan Cloutier, Jason LaBarbera or Rick Knickle.
So when a player can rise up and set a team record in goaltending, you tend to pay attention. That's exactly what happened Tuesday when Jonathan Quick tallied his 36th win of the season to break Mario Lessard's 30-year record.
The Kings picked up where they left off back in February, mainly kicking ass and taking names. Tuesday's team was the Dallas Stars, a team they have outright owned this season. And it was a perfect start to the pressurized stretch run.
I have to say, this "stretch" run is going to be more of a sprint than a run. The league closed up shop for the Olympics, and players couldn't even practice for a week while the Games were underway in Vancouver. But the time off wasn't wasted as teams got healthy and rested for the playoffs.
Sure, Dustin Brown, Jack Johnson, Michal Handzus and Drew Doughty didn't get a break, but thank goodness Quick got some rest. The kid has been an iron man for the Kings this season, and it was nice for Burke to name him to the U.S. team. But let's face it, Quick was the Christian Laettner of the U.S. Olympic hockey team. A good player in his own right, but wasn't going to see the ice unless something unforeseen happened.
The time off the ice probably gave Quick some time to think and focus on what he needs to do when he laces up the skates for the Kings. And he was able to come out and pick up where he left off for L.A.
Almost.
Quick had several flubs handling the puck. His paddle pass in the first period almost cost a goal. Another pass got away from him later in the game. But what little rust had settled on him was gone at the end of the game. I also heard that he and his wife are expecting a ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Kings
