Getty Images Much has been made about how damaging the lockout might be for the Los Angeles Kings in a market brimming with distractions, but many ignore the impact of extra healing time. Jonathan Quick‘s recovery from back surgery might just be the leading example.
ESPN’s Craig Custance reports that Quick is heading to Los Angeles on Thursday to see if he can receive medical clearance on that repaired back.
The Conn Smythe-winning goalie underwent the procedure to fix an inflammatory cyst and disc fragment in August, with the Kings initially expecting him to be good to go by standard training camp time.
(Well, unless team exec Ron Hextall was just making a really accurate prediction about the lockout.)
Losing Quick for any amount of time won’t be ideal for the Kings, but at least he can be spelled by much-touted backup Jonathan Bernier.
His numbers have lagged behind Quick’s stats despite first-round hype, yet contract year pressure could very well push Bernier to excel if the Kings’ workhorse No. 1 begins the season on the IR.
(H/T to Rotoworld)
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The playoffs haven’t been kind.
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Playoffs tonight: Spezza’s Game 3 return, Bruins-Rangers highlight your Sunday
May 19, 2013, 10:30 AM EDT
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A pivotal Game 3 awaits in Ottawa.
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Kings’ Scuderi took the diplomatic route complaining about Game 3 calls
May 19, 2013, 9:54 AM EDT
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Last night’s Game 3 saw the Kings get stung for two calls late in the third period of a 1-1 game that led to a 5-on-3 power play for San Jose that saw Logan Couture capitalize on in overtime for the win, you could feel the angst coming. Dustin Penner sounded off about it at…
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“He screws it up.”
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Penner blasts refs for having ‘gall to guess’ on goalie interference call
May 19, 2013, 12:44 AM EDT
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Trevor Lewis doesn’t think it was a penalty.
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Logan Couture goes from injured to game-winner.
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His Halifax Mooseheads topped Seth Jones’ Portland Winterhawks.
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Ouch.
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At least Scott Hannan’s OK?
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These moments hurt in games with small margins of error.
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After falling to it in Game 2.
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Matt Greene isn’t playing in Game 3, either.
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Dennis Seidenberg likely out, Wade Redden’s a game-time decision.
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His club’s down 0-2 to the Kings…
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Their critical press release fund must be dry.
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Is that “grossly unfair,” too?
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The captain cares not for the rough stuff.
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Video: Valtteri Filppula’s highlight reel goal ices Detroit’s victory
May 18, 2013, 4:22 PM EDT
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Flying through the air going five-hole? Yes.
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Switzerland shuts out Team USA, faces Sweden in gold medal game
May 18, 2013, 4:00 PM EDT
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It’s their first finals appearance since 1935.
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The comments are now open.
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Video: Highlights: Sharks take critical Game 3 in OT
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Video: Stuart lands huge hit on Williams
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Video: Toffoli gets Kings on the board
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Video: Sharks take advantage of early penalty
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Video: Highlights: Red Wings even series, thump Blackhawks
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Video: Filppula scores impressive, unbalanced goal
