He is on fire, shutting down yet another powerful offensive team in the Devils and continuing to clean up every mistake his teammates make in front of him. While he played very well during the regular season, he has played out of his mind when it has mattered most.
During the regular season, Jon Quick posted a 92.9 save percentage; that number is currently up to 94.9 in the playoffs. His 1.95 regular season goals against average has dropped down to a miniscule 1.36. Most importantly, the Kings won 50.7 percent of their games with Quick in net, going 35-21 during regular season play.
In the playoffs, the team has won a ridiculous 88.2 percent of their games, going 15-2 with a spotless 10-0 road record. These stats are not to prove that Quick is manufacturing this unlikely run by himself; the entire King’s team is playing extremely well right now. The point is to illustrate the colossal difference a goalie can make come playoff time—and man have there been some great performances in net throughout the playoffs.
To start, as should any good conversation regarding the history of NHL goalies, is Jacques Plante. The man won six Stanley cups during his 26 year NHL career but had one of the greatest playoffs for a goalie in history when he led his team to an 8-0 record during the 1960 NHL playoffs. In an era where goalies still did not wear protective masks, and the position was very underdeveloped, Plante was unbeatable, posting 3 shutouts and a 1.35 goals against average.
1960 marked only one of his tremendous playoff runs with the Montreal Canadians, who hoisted Lord Stanley’s Cup a record five consecutive times with Jacques Plante in net.&...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Los Angeles Kings
