While much credit is given to the Los Angeles Kings’ offensive leaders Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, and Drew Doughty, it must not be forgotten that the man in net is also another huge part of the team’s success this season.
Let’s state the obvious: Jonathan Quick is one awesome goalie and Los Angeles is lucky to have him. After suffering a lower-body injury last season that kept him sidelined for majority of the season, Quick has had a incredible bounce-back season. Playing only seventeen games last year, Quick has started in 25 contests this season and catapulted the Kings to the top of the Western Conference. Out of the 20 total wins on the season thus far for the Kings, Quick’s time in the net has accounted for 15 of those. Jonathan’s back-up, Darcy Kuemper, holds the remaining five (he’s not having a bad season either).
With Quick’s 15 wins thus far, he ranks eighth in the league in total wins for goalies. He also ranks in the top 10 in the league in other major statistical categories. At this point in the season, Jonathan has a .926 save percentage (seventh in the league). He’s even racked up two shutouts as well (tied for fifth in the league). Quick also has a 2.30 goals against average, ranking fifth in the league.
It’s clear by any standard that Los Angeles missed Quick’s presence last season, both on and off of the ice. That has really showed thus far in the season, with a record of 20-9-3. This far into the season last year, the Kings were 15-12-2 on their way to a rather pedestrian season. Los Angeles would finish up at 39-35-8 for 2016-2017.
Next: The Win Streak Continues
You have to think, “how cool is it to have a top-10 goalie on your squad?” While many other team’s aren’t as fortunate as the Kings, it’s hard not to brag about the guy, right? His production value is precious to this team’s success so far. At this rate, it’s simply a matter of keeping it up and riding that wave into the post-season.