Jonathan Quick set NHL records en route to winning the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe Trophy. (Ken DeNardo photo)
The question now is whether or not the Los Angeles Kings’ star goaltender set trends as well.
Quick finished as playoff MVP with 16-4 record that included an incredible 1.41 goals-against record and .946 save percentage, topping the marks for any goalie to play more than 10 games in a single postseason (Chris Osgood at 1.55 in 2008, and Martin Bordeur, his counterpart in this year’s Final, with a .934 in 2003). Quick also set new NHL highs for road wins, with 10 overall, 10 straight this season, and 12 in a row over the last two playoffs. He allowed just seven goals in six games in the Cup Final.
“I feel like I tried to give my team a chance to win every night,” Quick said in his post-game press conference. “From a goalie standpoint, that’s your job. You try to do your job every night and hopefully more times than not, you can do that.”
Quick did his better than most these playoffs – and differently too, which is interesting on a couple fronts.
While the trend towards tandems will likely continue in the NHL, Quick shattered the post-lockout theory that a workhorse goaltender, especially one based on the travel-heavy Westcoast, could not win the Stanley Cup. The 26-year-old played 69 games in the regular season – and most of them were pressure packed because the Kings’ 29th-ranked offense failed to provide steady run support. That’s the highest total of any goaltender to win the Stanley Cup in the last seven seasons, eclipsing Marc-Andre Fleury in 2009 as the only other to play 60-plus games and win it all, and well above the average of 45 starts for a Cup winner.
The more interesting trend, however, may be the one Quick established from a style perspective.
Following on the heels of fellow American Tim Thomas, who also won both the Stanley Cup and Conn Smythe while wearing Vaughn pads and a Sportmask helmet painted by EyeCandyAir last season, Quick makes it two championships in a row for goalies playing an ultra-aggressive style that combines more reactionary elements than many goaltenders on top of a solid base of butterfly mechanics and recoveries. (Of course, a shut-it-down, block-out defence also helps out, especially to take away backside or second chance opportunities that the aggressive styles of Quick and Thomas can sometimes surrender because of the extra distance they have to recover).
That’s not to say the technical part should be ignored in any way. Just as Thomas worked hard to add more of those elements to his game over the years, a fact still overlooked by many, Quick has come a long way technically since playing in the ECHL just four seasons ago. InGoal noted one technique both have added after Game 5. We have also discussed the strides Quick made in that regard in depth with both Kings’ goaltending coach Bill Ranford and assistant goaltending coach Kim Dillabaugh, and will present all the important modifications made to his approach in the cover story for this month’s edition of the digital magazine.
As much as Quick’s refined approach increased his consistency during a season that included a Vezina Trophy finalist nod, it’s his dynamic athleticism that really sets him apart. And the fact a 40-year-old Brodeur emerged as the Eastern Conference champion in goal with kick saves, half butterflies, and two-pad stacks only adds to the trend of goaltenders succeeding in the NHL by giving shooters a different look. Add Antti Niemi’s somewhat unique looking approach to winning the Stanley Cup two seasons ago, and it seems be fair to argue goalies may need more than the prototypical butterfly as a save selection to win in the NHL.
So what do our fellow goalies think? While it’s no secret the drop-and-block system was already declining as an effective style when overused at the higher levels, has it now gone a step further? Do goalies have to be able to get outside the blue ice and give shooters a different look to be effective in the NHL now? Be sure to add your thoughts and comments below.
Congrats to the Kings and Quick for the win! Im glad to see them bring the silver back home. The butterfly trends are changing! Quick is an example of this with insane angles and an old-school-hash-mark approach. I see too many goalies stay back nor do they skate to the hash marks as much as they should. With his speed, flex and reaction allows quick to be a very large speed bump. Watching highlights (despite down in a full split) his gloves stay super active instead of dropping which leaves the top ft or so of the net as a scoring zone. Plus he lundges at the puck (niemi like of 2010) which cuts down the rising angle.
There is no doubt that athleticism and situational awareness, two very big parts of Quick’s game, are rising trends in goaltending. What makes Quick such an elite goaltending is that he knows when to play out and when to play a little deeper in his crease. For that, I would credit his situational awareness as the cornerstone of his success.
For example, if you look at Quick’s ability to read the play, you will notice that his movements are in fact calculated and done with purpose. For example, when he plays against the post, he seals the ice, five-hole and sixth and seventh holes under his arms. However, he is very smart about WHEN he puts himself in that position, recognizing threats in tight or back door, and then adjust his movements, positioning and save selection accordingly.
Whether he is on his feet or down on the ice, Quick takes a moment to literally pause and set himself before making his next move. It only happens at a fraction of a second, but his ability to process what is happening around him at that speed and identify the opposing threat(s) is world class.
Quick is a perfect example of how combining natural athletic ability, technical skills and situational awareness yield incredible results.
As a father to an undersized, but very athletic goaltender, it makes me smile to know that the “big as trees” theory of goaltending is changing. Quick is just that, and he is so patient and doesn’t allow a shooter to think he can go high, but his transition to his V, as well as his edge work…NO ONE compares! His game isn’t very efficient, however, it frustrates a team into “just shooting”. Just like 6’3″ goalies can mess with the minds of shooters because there isnt’ anything to shoot at…Quick gives them the illusion…but, then steals it back! Even the announcers thought they should shoot high…notice they didn’t say that after game 4?
If anything, Mr. Quick should be a reminder to all goalies that you need to skate well, work your edges well, and constantly work on quick legs!
I agree that the skating is the key element, but hopefully your goaltender isn’t so “undersized.” Getting from point A to point B will always be a challenge for 5’8″ or smaller tenders.
One of the things that I have found interesting in relation to technique and modern game play for NHL goalies is in regards to stick handling the puck. I mean, we ALL would love to score like Ron Hextall did 20 years ago, but to often goalies for the unnecessary obligation to go out and play the puck when the majority of the time it doesn’t generate any scoring opportunities. However as Quick demonstrated in game 5, playing the puck can have dire consequences. I would love to know if it’s pressure from coaches to actively play the puck or an ego thing making them think, ohh yeah I can effectively control the puck with a lobster claw holding a paddle? Stay in net!
Raymond: The purpose of goaltenders to come out and play the puck is not primarily to create scoring opportunities. The reason for a goalie to play the puck is to disrupt the other team’s forecheck and allow your team to break out. Yes there are times that a goalie has the awareness to fire the puck down the ice for a 2 on 1 or a breakaway but the main reason for playing the puck is to beat the other team’s offense.
Yes, Quick won the Cup, and yes he’s an outstanding goalie who had an amazing season, but he does NOT represent a trend toward smaller, athletic goalies. I’m sorry guys, but the 6’4″ drop-and-block guy is going to get the opportunity far more often over the smaller quick guy (pun intended). Hockey’s a big man’s game, and just as the next Marty St. Louis has to be twice as good as the next guy who’s 6-foot-plus, the next J-Quick has to be better than the Carey Price-type who’s a Sequoia.
I HATE it because I’m a smaller guy, too, but that’s the reality.
The bottom line. Its a goalie’s job to stop shots and a shooter’s job to score them. The best player’s in the league adjust their shot to beat goalies who play repetitive styles, as was exhibited by Lunqvist’s demise to the devils. Any goalie who has the ability to keep the shooter guessing will always have an advantage. The game evolves and with it, so should goalies.
This is analyzing the results over process.
Two rounds ago all I heard was talk about Mike Smith, Pekka Rinne and Henrik Lundqvist. Lundqvist’s crease management and playing deep were being talked about daily.
If Lundqvist was playing goal for the Kings, would they have won the Cup? If so, are we talking about the trend of playing deep and crease management?
Quick has his flaws that were masked by the defense in front of him. That is essentially every goaltender in the NHL today.
The fact is if Quick played that way for the Leafs he wouldn’t be anywhere near the Vezina trophy. They don’t have the defense to clear the slot of rebounds and they don’t have the personnel to cut off passing lanes and cover his backside.
The same conversation happens every season. We analyze the results and try to fit it into an explanation. Niemi, Osgood, Leighton etc. etc.
Quick is a very good NHL goaltender, but you don’t need to be a great goaltender to win the Cup anymore.
I think in the article the quote that says it best is that “I feel like I tried to give my team a chance to win every night”.
There is more than one way to skin a cat and each goaltender that is discussed there is one common thread, they know their strengths and their weaknesses. Quick is not as big and therefore doesn’t focus on the stop and drop blocking style, Rinne is athletic for sure but he doesn’t have to challenge and be as agile in the crease as a goalie like Quick does. If you play your game from your strengths you can distract the other team from your weaknesses, yes this can include the defensive style of play of the team in front of you as well.
My personal theory (being a beer leaguer myself you can either take it or leave it) is that it is great to know and be able to borrow from as many different styles as you can. Treat your save selection like a tool box and constantly try to add new things and work on new things. Some tools will get used more than others but if you have them in working order they are ready to be used if a situation pops up.
I am about to turn 51. I have been playing net on and off for over 40 years. Like all things in life, there are trends. Goaltending is no different. Originally, we were all standup goalies. A few were butterfly, but very few. Our equipment didn’t work for that style. The best goalies have to be able to adapt to and play lots of different styles. Players get comfortable and expect certain goalies to play a certain style. Tim Thomas was a great example. He was aggresive and you didn’t know what to expect. He attacked the player and challenged him to beat him physically.
We are returning to the era where a goalie challenges the player. The best goalies are already playing this style. It has been my technique for a long time and a constant point of frustration for the opposition. Goalies will start to transition back to being a third defenceman and become more involved in the play, especially in the era of 4 on 4 hockey in overtime.
Goalies have to change and the best have. Some of the new goalies understand that. The older goalies have the experience and skills to be able to adapt and have, both Thomas and Brodeur are great examples and playing their best hockey.
The best goalies will stop relying on their equipment size to stop pucks and will start to move out of the crease once again and take away the angles and will start to use their sticks again to block passes that defencemen miss.
The time is now for them to change. The players are being coached to recognize a goalies weak spots with the style they are playing. Teams will start to turn to older goalies for their skill base instead of a younger goalies quick reactions that cover for their mistakes causing them to be out of position.