Rangers super backup goalie Jonathan Quick might start against Arizona
Rangers goaltender Jonathan Quick deflects a Bruins goal attempt in the first period of an NHL game March 21 in Boston. Credit: AP/Steven Senne
TEMPE, Ariz. — Rangers coach Peter Laviolette prefers not to disclose his starting goaltender the day before a game, but if one wanted to speculate that Jonathan Quick is likely to get the call Saturday, when the Rangers close out their two-game trip with an afternoon game against the Arizona Coyotes in tiny Mullett Arena, that wouldn’t be unreasonable.
And if Quick does get the start, his first since a 5-2 victory over the Bruins in Boston March 21, then he would be in line to make a little history. With a win Quick would surpass his friend Ryan Miller to become the winningest American-born goalie all-time in the NHL.
Which was a subject he was very uncomfortable talking about after the Rangers’ optional practice at Mullett Arena Friday.
“We obviously we want to win tomorrow,’’ Quick said. “And the reason we want to win tomorrow is to hold our spot in standings, right? That's the most important thing every night, going forward here.
“And you know, that type of [individual milestone] stuff kind of comes with it, right? So, the focus is to keep our spot in the standings. And whatever comes with that, comes with that.’’
The Rangers (49-20-4) sit atop the NHL’s overall standings with 102 points, one more than Dallas. But of more immediate importance is that they only hold a three-point lead over Carolina in the Metropolitan Division race.
Quick, 38, made his name over a 15-year career with the L.A. Kings before being sent to the Vegas Golden Knights at the trade deadline last season, and winning a third Stanley Cup. Coming off a down year, statistically, he signed a one-year deal with the Rangers last summer to be the backup to Igor Shesterkin, and he’s been so good this season (16-5-2 with a 2.44 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage) that the Rangers signed him to a one-year contract extension this month.
His victory over Boston in his last start was the 391st of his career, which tied him with Miller, who retired following the 2020-21 season.
Trouba near return?
Captain Jacob Trouba, who has missed the last 11 games with a lower-body injury suffered in the March 4 game, was one of 10 players to skate Friday, and he looks ready to return.
“I’ve got to talk to the trainers and those guys to get their approval, so we'll see,’’ Trouba said. “It feels good from my standpoint, for sure.
Laviolette wouldn’t say if Trouba will be in the lineup against the Coyotes, but Trouba made it clear he wants to play.
“Yeah, I mean, I think everybody wants to play,’’ he said. “I don't think anybody likes not playing, so I would say yeah, I want to get back.’’
Fox is okay
Laviolette said defenseman Adam Fox, who left the game after taking a puck to the face with five minutes left in regulation, did return to the bench before the game was over, and though he did not play in the overtime, he was fine.
“He would have played last night,’’ Laviolette said of Fox. “We just didn't get him back in time. So I don't foresee any issues there.’’
Colin Stephenson covers the Rangers for Newsday. He has spent more than two decades covering the NHL and just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
