When the Rangers signed goaltender Jonathan Quick to a one-year deal this offseason, the hope was that he’d serve as a veteran presence for young starter Igor Shesterkin and slot into the starting lineup when needed.
So far this season, he’s done that and some for Peter Laviolette’s squad.
Quick made just three appearances and posted a brutal .807 save percentage and 5.08 goals against average with the Los Angeles Kings and Las Vegas Knights last year. But thankfully for him and the Rangers, the regular season has been a completely different story.
Quick stepped up and filled in admirably as the starter when Shesterkin was sidelined for a handful of games due to a lingering lower-body issue, but now back in his backup role, he continues to dominate.
The veteran made 37 saves to record his 60th career shutout earlier this week in a win over the Penguins, making him the first U.S.-born goaltender in NHL history to reach such a feat. Then on Saturday afternoon, he made more 27 saves in the Rangers’ 7-4 win over the Bruins.
Quick is now riding a four-game winning streak and is yet to lose in regulation through seven appearances (6-0-1). He also sits in the top three in the league with a stellar 1.99 GAA, .930 save percentage, and a pair of shutouts.
“He’s been outstanding,” Laviolette said pregame Saturday. “His career has been unbelievable and he’s just come in here and done exactly what our team has needed him to do. He stepped up and handled a lot and has gotten off to a really great start this season.”
Back home on the East Coast, the Connecticut native has looked rejuvenated, but his teammates aren't surprised.
"When we signed him, I thought, ‘Wow, we have Jonathan Quick,'" winger Chris Kreider told Larry Brooks of the NY Post. "He's as advertised. He goes in there and battles, he's vocal, he's pumping up his teammates in the room and on the ice more than the usual goalie. He's just been Jonathan Quick."