Through the first portion of the season, Jonathan Quick was phenomenal. There probably isn't any arguing with that.
In fact, if you look at the numbers, through the first 17 games of the season
he was 10-3-4 with a .937 save percentage.
However since the Dallas game on November 22nd, where Quick gave up a season high 5 goals on 23 shots, he hasn't seemed the same.
Since then he
has gone 6-8-4 (with one no decision) and had an abysmal
save percentage of .887.
If you want to even it out you're probably talking about
a .935ish save percentage on the first 18 games of the year versus an .889 or so on the second.
It's really quite astonishing when you factor in that Quick has faced far less shots in the last 19 games than he did in the first 17 of the season when he looked so good. How many shots less?
First 17 -
35.0 shots per game
Last 19 -
23.8 shots per game
However, despite a perceived tightening up in shots allowed, the Kings No. 1 has not been in good form.
Last time out we talked about how
the Kings defense hasn't exactly been tight in high scoring areas. With that in mind it is hard to lay blame entirely at the feet of Jonathan Quick or Martin Jones. The Kings are dealing with a very difficult situation defensively, with a lot of shifting of personnel and more than a few players having poor seasons.
However, in this time of need the Kings need someone to step up and help right the ship. As the last line of defense it can seem unfair to say Quick needs to step up, but he really does. In the post game pressers, Darryl Sutter has probably talked the most about the need for top goaltending more than any other subject outside of special teams. When you look at how the Kings played in the first half, yet won a lot of games, it is hard to argue with that.
Was it a formula for long term success? Maybe not. Jonathan Quick faced an obscene number of shots, with multiple games ringing up over the 40 shot mark. The powerplay was also converting at an exceptional rate, and the penalty kill was stopping teams cold.
While special teams can be a bit of a coin flip in terms of their impact, you can see the difference it makes when you look at a team like Vancouver. Who despite a downturn in corsi, fenwick and pretty much every statistical category from this year to last, sit in a very good position overall right now with better special teams play. Their powerplay has gone from the bottom five in the league to the top ten this year.
How many times this season can you say that the Kings had a game turn on either A) a big powerplay goal, or B) a big powerplay goal AGAINST?
Quite a few if memory serves.
It does come back to goaltending and "needing our goaltender to come up with a big save."
In that vein of logic, think about how Semyon Varlamov was able to single handedly guide the Colorado Avalanche into the playoffs last season. With his hot play lately he has also got the Avs back into contention out West this year.
You hear it all the time from coaches and Sutter hasn't been shy about saying it. He also went with back to back starts for Martin Jones, which hasn't happened for Jones as long as Quick has been healthy. It didn't exactly work out, as Jones gave up 3 goals on 13 shots, but nonetheless that may have been another message sender from Sutter to Quick about his play.
You could easily make the case that the goaltending is the least of the Kings concerns. Especially when you look at the combined goaltending numbers of Jones and Quick. Neither netminder has been good statistically. The argument that it isn't their fault is an argument that would sway many, especially when you watch the firewagon defensive coverage and mental mistakes that seem to be plaguing the L.A. game right now. However, this really isn't about blame so to speak. This is more about needing someone to step up and lead the team out of a bad period.
If you don't think Jonathan Quick is capable of that then you should take a look at his playoff performances and the first portion of this season. The Kings weren't necessarily playing good hockey at times this year but No. 32 was there to bail them out on a number of occasions.
With the team in the final wild card spot out West, just one point ahead of Calgary and three points ahead of a revitalize Colorado team, someone has to step up.
If the Kings can't get a bounceback and a stabilizing effect from their No. 1 then some personnel changes may be in the cards for the rest of the team.
With a 3-3-4 record in their last 10, and an 8-7-5 record in their last 20, someone has to do something.
Is it defense? Goaltending? Everything? You be the judge.
Follow me on twitter for news and notes about the Kings and the NHL
Also be sure to like HockeyBuzz on facebook!
++++I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR ADVERTISERS! If you, or anyone you know would be interested in placing an ad on the blog here at HockeyBuzz then send me a PM!+++++ 
Los Angeles Kings Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»