Kings goalie Jonathan Quick moves into third in wins for American-born goalies

Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick made 16 saves in Friday’s 3-2 win over the New York Islanders for his 370th career victory, moving him into third place among American-born goalies. Here’s what you should know:

• Quick moved past Tom Barrasso in career wins, now trailing only John Vanbiesbrouck (374) and Ryan Miller (391).
• The 37-year-old entered tonight’s matchup with 18,168 career saves.
• The Kings are now 33-19-8, sitting second in the Western Conference.

Backstory

Quick was drafted by Los Angeles with the 72nd pick in the 2005 NHL Draft and has spent all 16 seasons of his career with the Kings. He helped bring the team’s two Stanley Cup victories to Los Angeles in 2012 and 2014. This season, Quick has an 11-12-4 record in the net with 695 saves.

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The Kings take the ice next against the New York Rangers on Sunday at 5 p.m. ET.

How meaningful is the milestone?

It might not have been a particularly vintage performance by the 37-year-old Quick, but it is surely a signature milestone for one of the finest goalies that the United States has produced.

His legacy in the NHL is secure even if he’s no longer the netminder that often carried the Kings in his prime, especially in the two-time Stanley Cup winner’s transformative 2011-12 season where he would finish as a Vezina Trophy runner-up to Henrik Lundqvist and capture the Conn Smythe Trophy as the MVP of the postseason.

No list of the best American-born goalies in the league’s history will be complete without him on it. — Stephens

What kind of season is Quick having?

Until lately, the Milford, Conn., native was having a rough one. Early inconsistency in his starts and below average statistics and advanced metrics led to him losing the net to Pheonix Copley, making him a backup on the regular as a healthy goalie for the first time since he broke into the league for good in 2008-09.

But Friday’s win – where he made the timely saves that were necessary – was his third straight and second as a starter. It could give the proud netminder a lift and re-establish confidence from the Kings’ brass heading into the team’s playoff push over the final 22 games.

It’s important for Quick to play well in case Copley falters or suffers an injury. The Kings still have Cal Petersen in the minors and the 28-year-old has put up solid numbers for the AHL’s Ontario Reign as he gets his game back in order. — Stephens

What they’re saying

“I immediately think of just the great things I’ve been part of. Teammates. Coaches. Everyone that had some influence on those wins. Very grateful. Lucky to spend as many years with a great group of guys,” Quick told assembled media at UBS Arena. “The guys at the top of the list there, they were unbelievable goaltenders for a long time. Just to kind of be in a category with them, it’s an honor and it’s humbling. I think they would say the same thing. How fortunate they were and how fortunate I am to play for some great teams. Guys that work hard and guys (that) compete and love the game.”

Required reading

(Photo: Dennis Schneidler / USA Today)