A special look at Jonathan Quick’s amazing playoff run

Kings goalie Jonathan Quick has one year remaining on his contract. So, less than 24 hours after winning their first Stanley Cup in team history, that may be the biggest story gaining steam in the chatter of Los Angeles hockey circles.

Sure, he’s locked up for another season. Yet, every plan from this point forward starts with getting him inked to a long-term deal. Then, and only then, can GM Dean Lombardi properly asses what’s left over and how his salary cap will be impacted in the coming years. For example, Nashville’s Pekka Rinne – who has very similar career numbers to Quick – recently signed a 7-year $49-million extension to remain with the Predators. If Quick is looking for that type of money, there might not be much left to retain unrestricted free agents Jarret Stoll and/or Dustin Penner. And fans can forget about LA making a run at any of the big name free agents this summer. With big-money, multi-year deals already on the books for Drew Doughty, Anze Kopitar, Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, cap management will become a bigger issue is each passing summer.

Among the many things Quick has proven is that he’s at least equally as valuable as any of the aforementioned names when you’re looking at the Kings’ ascension to the top of the NHL.

Exactly how valuable? Take a look at just some of his recent accomplishments…

– Over the last three regular seasons he’s lowered his goals against average from 2.54 (2009-10) to 2.24 (2010-11) to 1.95 (2011-12). His save percentages have also increased, going from .907 to .918 to .929.

– This year he led the NHL and set a franchise record with 10 shutouts during the regular season, compiling a 35-21-13 record in 69 games. He recorded his third consecutive 30-win season, becoming the first goalie in franchise history to accomplish that feat.

– He also finished second in the League in goals-against average (1.95), fifth in save percentage (.929) and tied for fifth in wins (35). He allowed one goal or shut out the opposition in 27 games and surrendered two or fewer goals 46 times.

– He just won the Conn Smythe Trophy, awarded to ‘the most valuable player to his team in the playoffs’ (as voted by a panel of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association). Next week, he’ll have a chance to take home the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the best goaltender of the regular season.

– He became just the third U.S.-born player (and second U.S. goalie in a row) to win the Conn Smythe, joining New York Rangers defenseman Brian Leetch in 1994 and Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas in 2011. The 41st overall winner of the trophy, Quick also is the 16th goaltender – the most of any position – to
claim the Conn Smythe, which was first handed out in 1965.

– Quick was the Kings’ only goaltender during their Stanley Cup-winning run, finishing the playoffs with a 16-4 record, 1.41 goals-against average, .946 save percentage and three shutouts.

– His series=by-series stats:

GP W L GAA SV% SO
5 4 1 1.59 .953 1 Conference Quarterfinals vs. Vancouver
4 4 0 1.50 .941 0 Conference Semifinals vs. St. Louis
5 4 1 1.52 .939 1 Conference Final vs. Phoenix
6 4 2 1.11 .947 1 Stanley Cup Final vs. New Jersey
20 16 4 1.41 .946 3 TOTAL

– Playoff highlights from this year:

* set NHL record for lowest goals-against average in one playoff year, min. 15 games (1.41)
* set NHL record for highest save percentage in one playoff year, min. 15 games (.946)
* set NHL record for consecutive road wins by a goaltender in one playoff year (10)
* set NHL record for consecutive road wins by a goaltender over multiple playoff years (12)
* tied NHL record for overall road wins by a goaltender in one playoff year (10)
* tied for the postseason lead in shutouts (three)
* set Kings franchise records for shutouts in one playoff year (three) and career (four)
* allowed two or fewer goals in 18 of 20 games

Now watch, as he deservingly was announced as the 2012 Conn Smythe winner…

About an hour after the celebration on the ice, Quick spoke with NBC’s Darren Pang back in the locker room…

Yesterday we posted MayorsManor on-ice interviews with Kopitar, Penner, Simon Gagne and Dwight King (see the ‘Recent Posts’ section near the top right corner of this page for links), plus Bob Miller’s call of the Kings winning the Stanley Cup here…and an exclusive interview with Nick Nickson here…yet, we’re not done! There’s still a LOT more content from down on the ice that we’ll be publishing throughout the day today. So, stay tuned.

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