Quick Strikes Again

  Jonathan Quick wasted no time completing his 17th career shutout as be outdueled Dallas’ ace goaltender in a 1-0 victory on Saturday night.

  The game was set to be a battle of the goaltenders and defenses from the start. Karri Lehtonen entered the evening on top in the save percentage and wins department, but it was instead Andrew Raycroft getting the nod for the second time this year. Lehtonen had started in all five games straight through the Stars five game winning-streak allowing just eight goals. Jonathan Quick, who started his sixth game of the year, would leave victorious. After stopping 28 saves, Quick recorded his third straight shutout on the season. The shutout streak began with a shutout win over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, followed up with another against the Phoenix Coyotes on Thursday, and finished the hat-trick of shutouts in last night’s Pacific Division matchup of the two very hot clubs. The game was pivotal, and Quick delivered.

  With the shutout, Quick becomes the first goaltender in the Los Angeles Kings’ 44 year history, ahead of names with big games as a Kings goalie like Rogie Vachon (389), Kelly Hrudey (360), Mario Lessard (240), Stephane Fiset (200), and Felix Potvin(136). Jonathan Quick, 25, has accomplished the feat in 180 games.

"It feels great to have that done -- but at the end of the day, it's one game and two points. That's all I was focused on," Quick said after the game.

"It's a long season, and we have to keep this momentum going. We've got guys battling at all areas of the rink, especially in the D-zone, where they're battling along the wall and in front of the net and clearing out rebounds. They're doing their job extremely well, and it's making my just that much easier."

  The only player to score in the low-scoring affair would be defenseman Jack Johnson, as he tallied at 15:03 of the third period for his third goal and fifth point in his club’s seventh game of the season. All three of Johnson’s tallies have been game winners on the year. The faceoff win by off-season mega acquisition Mike Richards left defensive partner Rob Scuderi with the puck. He quickly dealt it to Johnson, who blasted it in from the right point as Raycroft was screened by nearly eight other bodies. The well-timed goal gave the Kings all they needed, but Quick was the real difference maker.

"He deserves this as much as anyone, and we're so happy for him and really excited for him," Johnson said of his goaltender Quick.

"All the top goalies in the league like Tim Thomas and Ryan Miller, they all have the same characteristic -- they never quit on a play. Even when it seems like Quicker is down and out, he keeps coming and makes that miraculous save."

  The win marked the Kings’ fourth straight win in their seven regular season games. It ended Dallas’ win-streak at five. The victory boosts the Los Angeles Kings’ morale, as Dallas too has nothing to be ashamed of – especially given the situation.

"Any time a goaltender gets a shutout, everyone contributes. But you've got to give him a lot of the credit," Kings coach Terry Murray said. "He's focused on the play and he's aggressive to the shots. Tonight he was again on his game, and he just followed up on the game at Phoenix and brought the same game here tonight."

  Quick has stopped 175 of 180 shots through his six games this year. His shutout streak of 188 minutes and 10 seconds bests Rogie Vachon’s record of 185:55. Quick takes honors as the league’s leading goaltender in save percentage (.972) and shutouts with three. He is runner up for both goals against average (0.81) and wins (5) just one win behind Dallas goalie Kari Lehtonen. Quick also becomes the first goaltender to accomplish the feat since Columbus Blue Jackets Steve Mason did it in his rookie year in 2008.

  The game was significant in many ways, but the proof is on the stats sheets that the Los Angeles Kings are in fact one of the premier teams in the National Hockey League, and they’re doing it in one of the most competitive divisions in the league. The Kings sit just one point back from division rivals Dallas, good enough for an early third-best in the West.

"We're a confident group now and we have enough swagger now and cockiness that if we play well, we're going to beat anyone," Johnson said. "The only way we're going to lose is if we beat ourselves."

  The Dallas Stars on the other hand we not meant figured on being heart-breakers early on, but have done exactly that. The Stars may have ended the night with zero points, but given the team they played against; the team did quite well. The Dallas Stars saw their win-streak end at five, which lands them at the top of the West in the dawning of the new year.

"I don't think there are a lot of things in the game we can complain about, besides finishing," Stars captain Brenden Morrow said. "Sometimes the puck just doesn't go in for you, and we didn't get one tonight. When we have success, we're getting pucks deep. With guys like Kopitar and Richards, you don't really want to play in your zone. So the easiest way to defend is to play in the offensive zone."

  Yes, Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards.. these are the names you will hear all year-long, but don’t dismiss the likes of Jack Johnson and without question; Jonathan Quick.

- Kendall Grubbs