The 37-year-old netminder started against the team that drafted him for the first time since his departure in March.
The 37-year-old netminder started against the team that drafted him for the first time since his departure in March.
New York, N.Y: Jonathan Quick has started in 748 NHL games in his 16-season career. Not a single game was against the Los Angeles Kings until Sunday night.
Drafted by the Kings in 2005, he hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014 as the team's superstar keeper. He also took home the Conn Smythe Trophy the first go around.
Quick signed with the Rangers over the summer for less than a million dollars to play for the team he grew up cheering for.
The three-time champion acknowledged how playing his former team weighed heavy on his mind, "There's a lot of thoughts running through your head, and it's tough to nap." He continued, "As soon as you get out there...see guys you've played with for a long time try to score on you, you stop thinking about it and just stop the puck."
He blocked 25 of 26 shots that came his way, putting on a show at Madison Square Garden.
Peter Laviolette was conscious of what this game meant to Quick and to the team, "The players are aware and recognize when a player has had a career like that in one city... it's a combination of the way we played last night and the opponent today and what that meant to Jonathan."
Vincent Trocheck was aware of how important this game was to Quick, saying,"To see him do that it lights a fire under you. His passion and how bad he wants to win really lights a fire under you."
The 37-year-old veteran also got involved in a few scraps in the contest, "You don't want guys coming in and running you or sticking you so I've always tried to protect myself in that sense, and certainly tonight that came out a couple of times."
A fiery effort from No.32. It's the cherry on top as he earned his eighth victory as a Blueshirt against his former club.
The Rangers take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, with Igor Shesterkin likely starting in that contest. Quick's play allows the Rangers to have a bonafide starter playing every night.
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