LA Kings: Team report cards after the first ten games

Category three: LA Kings Goaltending.

Grade: B

The LA King’s goaltending has been solid this season, especially considering the problems the team has been having on defense. Going into the season, the plan was for Jonathan Quick and Cal Petersen to share goaltending duties pretty evenly – and that’s what has happened, as Quick has six starts and Petersen has four.

Jonathan Quick actually started the first two games this season while Petersen was in the covid protocol. On paper, Quick’s stats are not good at all: he only has two wins to go with a 4.05 GAA and a .867 save percentage. In all fairness to Quick, however, the defense has allowed several high-quality scoring chances in the games he has played, especially in his last two losses against Minnesota and Vegas, respectively. The game against Vegas especially bloated his numbers, as he was hung out to dry for most of the time he was in the game.

Cal Petersen has been anointed the LA Kings “goalie of the future,” and his play this season has shown why. To put it simply, he has been outstanding. Although he has only one win, he has a sparkling 2,18 GAA, along with a save percentage of .935. Petersen’s lack of wins more of a result of no help from the Kings offense than anything else.

Jonathan Quick is still a quality NHL goaltender despite what his stat line says. With that said, Cal Petersen’s play has earned him more playing time, and the time is now to make him the team’s #1 goaltender.