alt="LA Kings Insider with Rich Hammond" />Here’s what Terry Murray said, after practice today, about the decision to start Jonathan Bernier in goal tomorrow against Vancouver and Jonathan Quick on Saturday against Anaheim (and beyond, apparently).
MURRAY: “This is the first opportunity that I’ve been able to back away from Quicker for a little while. His opportunity just to get some quality practice time in, for several days, is there because of Jonathan Bernier’s performance in last night’s game. He was solid, he had a shutout and I’m going to reward that performance with the game tomorrow against Vancouver. I want to take advantage of that solid performance and, again, give Quicker the opportunity to get specific in some drills and just go back at those looks for a few days in a row.
Quick is our No. 1 goaltender. There’s no gray area on that one. He’s going to jump back into the net here against Anaheim, and he will play the following week also. This is just a look here, for me, to get specific in the practices and give him an opportunity to get away from playing games day after day. He’s been one of the top guys in the league, so it’s a good break.”
Question: With Quick, the word “fatigue” has been tossed around a little…
MURRAY: “You guys bring it up. It’s not me. He’s not tired. He feels great. He’s physically strong, he’s mentally fresh. But as a player, if you just play and play and play, you’ve got to guard against that sometimes and give him the opportunity to practice. … When you’re playing every other day, with all the travel that’s going on, it’s near impossible for the goaltenders, especially, to give it that kind of a push.”
Why hasn’t anyone asked Murray how long he intends to keep Bernier up?
So that’s a vote of no confidence in Ersberg?
@Gizmo,
No, Ersberg still has a bad back and is the only reason that Bernier is up.
@Gizmo, pretty much goes without saying as soon as Bernier was called up the first time… when Ersberg was healthy
Could it possibly be a vote of less than no confidence?
@Mike J., I don’t think it’s necessarily a vote of no confidence in Ersberg, but his back is basically ok now, hence why he was in practice. I think putting in Bernier is more about rewarding good play than anything else.
well said by murray…he has no choice but to keep quick as his no. one in my opinion he has deserved it
quick is done. he is too rattled. ever since his baby… he cant handle the stress. he yells at the refs and pushes ppl who enter the crease…dust in the wind.
Like the move, Also does anyone know the name of the song the kings use when they skate out to start the 1st period?
Icould see it now ,Ivanans and Ersberg getting drunk and starting trouble in bars like Probert and Klima used to do when they teammates on Detroit!!! Anyone old enough to remember this comedic duo???
@simonsez,
Isn’t that more up to DL in this situation?
I would guess JB will be back in Manch in time for their Friday night game (even if he’s backing up).
For Murray to say this is “the first opportunity that I’ve been able to back away from Quicker for a little while,” means to me a vote of no confidence in Ersberg. No, Murray has been “able” to back away from Quicker all season long. He simply never has…another goalie named Jonathan came along and made it feel alright to do so.
With regards to EE….the no confidence vote has been written on the wall a long, long time ago this season. It was probably decided when EE didn’t have a good training camp. I believe the only reason EE was up here was because the plan was for JB to play as much as possible in Manchester. Now that JB has done that and passed with flying colors, and if you can read between the lines, EE’s days are numbered here.
With JB getting another start, the team (ie. DL, TM, Ranford, Hextall) are just buying time, trying to figure out what to do with the goalie situation.
If JB gives us another big win tomorrow and plays as good as he did last night, then management might have to make that decision now instead of in the off-season.
@Gizmo, I would say so. JB jumps past EE twice now and TM basically says that he hasn’t had the chance to let up on Quick. Why is that true now and not before? That’s because before, he didn’t have confidence in the backup. And that would have been EE.
The Kings haven’t beat the Canucks in God knows how long. Bernier won’t be seeing a so so Nashville offense with key injuries. He’ll be seeing one of the best teams in the league (my pick to win the cup this year btw).
It’s almost as if TM is counting on this game to get the heat off him regarding Bernier, but I’m sure that isn’t the case. He is just giving the Kings the best chance to win imho.
We’ll see what Bernier has got when the pressure is on.
Be funny if Bernier plays extremely well however. Then TM will have gone from the frying pan to the fire.
I think it’s because of the stress of the new baby
that would be interesting, another JB win then a quick loss at home to the quacks. seems like the pressure is now on quick. JB has nothing to lose, going up against 2 teams that have owned us all year on the road, and then murray goes to quick at home vs the crosstown rivals after having seen a phenom before his eyes in the last 2 games.
@Jkking, I didn’t want to say it. But JQ hasn’t been the same since the baby arrived.
After his shutout win, TM has to reward JB.
Backing JQ as no. 1 is also a no brainer. Not getting any practice time to work out issues because you’re playing all the time doesn’t help either. It’s good all around that JB will play Nucks and JQ will get some practice then get back in net.
I just want the rest of the team to play more desparate and not be so complacent looking. That will help out whomever is in goal.
No one asked about Ersberg’s back?
hehe
@Matt R,
DL seems to let TM coach the team, so im sure that its really TM’s decision. But yes, DL is the one who actually does it.
@Little Willy,
Haha. Probert was banned from Canada for his hijinks.
There’s no “gray area” unless Quick loses a few in a row that is.
Personally, I’m fine with either goaltenders ans starting JB tomorrow and following up with JQ to close out the season is the way to go imo.
@JPUCK, wow dude, do you know him personally? people have babies all the time mr. cleo, pretty sure jon is fine. why don’t you take a look at how many goals the kings scored in those 4 games quick lost before you go and call him out saying he’s done. go ahead and look at the special teams play and how terrible the cycle has been on the forecheck before you blame our goalie who is the ONLY reason we’re here and then get back to us. kthnxbai!
@Stop the Puck,
Why would you even mention a loss at home to the Quacks and call it interesting? Under any circumstances that would not be okay. The Kings need all the points they can get especially against the Hated Ones!
This debate about the goalies has truly reached ridiculous proportions.
@Skebo,really? so what was the excuse the first 2 months of the season?
@Dean Youngblood,
Geez, Rob Lowe is on this blog??? Cool!!!
@Chris P. Bacon,
Because he won’t BE BACK!
What if Bernier tanks tomorrow night?
The reaction around here would be interesting.
@Dean Youngblood, Your absolutely right!! Their pictures taken in the papers were hilarious!!
@Kingsfanone, LOL!!That was the crapiest hockey movie ever next to the two Emilio Estevez Mighty Quacks movies!! BRUTAL……. LOL
@dMan, I don’t see this kid tanking.
Can we please just remember what is at stake here? I can’t believe how much debate there is about what if JB plays good tomorrow night? What if he plays bad? What if Quick plays bad? Who cares about what goalie plays.
We need the points. I don’t care if Fukufuji comes back and is in net as long as we win. 2 points is all I care about from here on out. We can sort out the alleged “goalie controversy in the offseason and training camp.
Rich, if Ersberg is practicing, does that mean JB is no longer up on “Emergency Recall” or is EE still listed as day-to-day?
We all know EE is not going to be here next season. Most likely JB will be with us, which is great. Can give both JQ & JB time on the ice without risking anything.
TM has had loads of chances to put in EE, but obviously he doesn’t trust him. He’s just no a goalie that can platy the whole season, IMO.
Having JQ and JB is going to be great especially for the Kings.
@dMan,
I don’t think the problem is a goalie tanking. I think the larger problem is how the team in front of the goalie plays. Lately, until last nite, it’s been pretty ugly. Fix that first and all will be well, no matter who is in net (even Ersberg).
JB AND JQ TWO GREAT GOALTENDERS.AWSOME.
@Skebo,
Exactly how I read that comment from TM. EE has been treated like (youknowwhat) by TM. I know EE isn’t a great goalie, but I still think he’s plenty good enough to have been used better in his role of backup.
I hope EE goes on to have a decent carrear with another team.
Nice to see Bernier get another game in before he heads back to finish the year down under. If anything this should help Quick mentally to be on his best. I like both goalies and think either one of them can carry this team to bigger things. They have developed nicely since they’ve been drafted.
well zatkoff just got hurt in la mancha…
@simonsez, Until Bernier gives up a goal or two.
@Deadmarsh,
He’s had plenty of bad games in the AHL, including recently. What makes him immune to bad games at the NHL level? I hope he plays great tomorrow and we get the win. But he’s also up against an offense that is clicking and a goalie that is coming off one of, if not his best performance since winning the gold. Should be a fun game to watch.
The extra practice time for Quick will be huge coming down the stretch and into the playoffs. He’s been our #1 all year, and probably the MVP of the team. That’s not changing with 12 days left in the season.
@20lucfan, And look at how many bad goals he gave up… sorry man yea the team has played bad, but quick has not been the same guy post olympics.
Now I hope Murray isn’t thinking about dressing a soft line up against Vancover or the Ducks. Look at what Vancover did to a soft Phoenix team last night (I think Morris is still bleeding). I hope Murray has a little bit of brains left and will dress Clune & Ivanans for these next three games, so that none of our important players gets hurt out there. But I am sure TM will do the stupid thing and keep them out of the lineup. Leaving us to be out hit and the other teams to take runs at us….
I say Scratch Halpern and Modien (who has turned the puck over a lot in the last 2 games), to dress Ivanans & Clune so this team can get physical and not worry about it. They are lacking the hits like they had before the trade deadline. Because they have no one in the lineup to face the other teams tough guys..
I don’t care if Ivanans doesn’t see a shift unless it’s to answer the bell, he needs to be on bench for these three games and so does Clune!!!
Speaking of goalies………..Is there a goalie in the Western Conf. among the playoff teams who has even played in a Western Conf. Finals game (other than Osgood, who currenyly is a backup)?
@lakingsfan19,
Oh yeah, Rich can you ask TM why he isn’t dressing Clune or Ivanans against tough teams? And does he think his decision not to dress these guys, is taking the physical play we once had out of the team?
It sure does seem like it…
I take heed on the notion that TM says this is his first “opportunity” to give Quick a rest. The reality is he DIDN’T want to back away from Quick which tells me he’d rather play Quick instead of Iceberg.
Which is a shame because I was a big Iceberg fan when he first arrived on the scene last. Keep in mind that last year Iceberg WAS in the same position as Quick is now. He inherited the job from an underacheiving Jason La Barbara and everyone was so exited that we had a good goalie.
What a difference a year makes.
Quick comes along and steals his thunder–and his job. I’m quite sure he feels dejected and lacks confidence. He’s got a coach that would rather burn out Quick instead allow for two goalies to co-exist on the same team.
Bad decision TM.
The writing is on the wall. I hope Iceberg gets a starting job somewhere and shows the Kings and TM the kind of talent we all know he still has.
@BRIAN SIMMONS, Correction…Quick is NOT a great goalie…..middle of the road except for wins which just means your team scored more than your…(i.e. 7 3)90% save pct ALL year..AVG> at best…
I liked Ersberg when he first came up because he was a big improvement over the other goaltenders we had at the time. His play has dipped a little bit (probably due to rust) but the real change has been that we have added better goalies to the team.
Ersberg always seems to be very happy for Quick after a Kings win, and he also seems supportive on the bench. I really hope he does well wherever he lands next, whether it is in Europe or in the NHL.
@lakingsfan19,
vancouver are a physical team but they are also a very fast skating team. Ivanans has no business being on the ice with a team like this. It is an absolute waste of time and kills our 1st two lines as Ivanans can only be allowed to play 5 mins because he is that bad, this causes our first two lines and top D men to play top mins more so than usual.
When are people going to realize this? We need to be playing balanced lines and do what we do best…. Not worry that the other team is tough. big deal, they are all pros in top shape and they are all men. Deal with it. That’s hockey!
He will do well no matter where he ends up. He was not given a fair shake this year at all. With the amount of games Quick has played one would expect he would be in the top 5 of “pure goaltending stats” and he is far from that.
Ersberg is a good goalie and should get an opportunity somewhere for sure.
@KC23, I hope to see TM in the fire. Would be a huge win for the kings and Bernier. Good luck kid I’m pullin for ya.
@JT Snow, Are you the former major leaguer JT SNOW, or is that just your moniker?
Quick is near the top in wins.
@PurpleNGold,
dude, come on!!! even f… marty brodeur goes thru bad patches.
patrick roy wasn’t having a good year in mtl and got torched for 8 (yes that is Eight) goals and was traded to the avs. If memory serves me, he won 2 Cups w the avs and could’ve gotten to the finals w a break here and there two more times. doesn’t seem that bad to me…….
@KC23,
when the pressure is on???? there was no pressure vs. dallas or last night vs. nashville in their building, both games on the road in hostile environs….
@dMan,
dMan, i remember reading some of your other posts. you definitely have a good understanding of the game…. that much is clear
If JB plays well again against Vancouver … dont be surprised if the Kings decide to carry 3 goalies for the playoffs with EE and JB rotating as the backups…If im not mistaken EE has one year left on his deal… will be interesting to see what happens in the offseason with that situation, because i see EE and JB as the tandem next season.. EE is a great guy … whatever happens i hope he lands somewhere where he can play… a good team guy.
ooops i meant Quicker and JB :) as the tandem next season :)
@GOALIEFN,
he is also near the top in games played with stats that far from justify it.
Go to GP stats. look at the goalies.
then from there click on gaa…. then on sa% suddenly you will wonder qhere quick went. Hopefully your mouse can drag down. He did not deserve the amount of games he played this year. He did well but never ever should have played as much.
Had he played less, this question of Quick would not be happening as he would have been more on top of his game. His holes are showing. Big time!
@Cricket, can’t argue with that. Seems it must be true.
@bfstyle33, You were doing great right up to the last couple paragraphs. They just told you what’s going to happen–Bernier is going back to Manchester, unless Ersberg breaks his back.
@KC23, Why can’t it be what he says it is–a chance for Quick to get in a few days of practice? He’s used those chances effectively before (remember, he didn’t have that chance over the olympic break.)
@Stop the Puck, Could be the opposite–giving Quick an opportunity to practice, and getting Quick and Bernier to play lights-out hockey against each other to improve the team’s chances of winning. Meanwhile, the team is going to play their best, because there’s extra emphasis on making each of them look good.
It’s a winning situation, and a good call by management.
@dMan, He’d be human. He’s tanked before. I think in his situation, though, he could play several good games before he gets knocked off his current high.
@KingsFan in OC, I, for one, would seriously hope Fukufuji doesn’t play, unless he found some game.
;-)
@20lucfan, What I just read is that Zatkoff was pulled after giving up two goals on three shots to start the game, and Lopes (who was just signed) won the game in relief.
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100401/SPORTS/4010348/1007/sports
@GOALIEFN, He’s not burning out Quick. It’s actually a pretty good bet he’s right, and what Quick needs is the practice time he’d normally get in a season that isn’t compacted by the Olympics.
@royalmonarch, If Manchester loses out while the Kings are still playing, I could see that happening.
@JT Snow,
Agreed. Gotta go skill vs. skill with VAN and hope that the Kings can step up the Compete Factor in a big way. Goon Time is pretty much over.
@JonG,
Agreed. He has shown himself to be a true team player and deserves a chance to get more ice time, whether it be here or elsewhere. I just hope he doesn’t cost us points down the road by beating us.
TM’s comments relating to putting Quick through drills clearly indicate to me that he is concerned about JQ’s focus. Only problem is that he is practicing against a team that at this point largely can’t hit the side of a barn with the side of a barn. It’s too bad we can’t send him over to a Red Wings practice. That would sharpen him up pretty quickly.
@JT Snow, Yeah, how has that worked out the last 5 games? How has that worked out since the Olymic break? Seems you don’t relize, how we were winning!
We were a physical team, we have lost that now. Halpern is bust, time to scratch him and put Clune back in. Modien is old and slow. He has turned the puck over way too much the last 2 games.
The only reason we won the last game against Nash, was because of Bernier.
wake up kings fans!!
What got us here? The way you said above, or the lineup we had before the trade deadline???
I think that’s a easy question, mini Terry Murray !!
@KaBoom, totally agree with you,as a back up Ersberg has been treated like garbage. Quick has been overplayed by TM and he needs a rest. Goalies,like catchers in baseball have ta get a day off from time ta time or they wear down and get burnt out because it is such a taxing position. I will say this though..if Bernier wins again tonite and he is impressive,I dont thin he will be sent down just yet because i would think they would ride the hot hand until he falters.