Habs def Kings 2-1 - comments from Montreal locker room

The Montreal Canadiens came into Saturday's game with six straight wins over the LA Kings, dating back to March 2004.

Make it seven.

After coming out of the gate firing, including outshooting the Habs 14-5 in the first period, LA put it on cruise control. Montreal ended the game tied in shots 27-27. More importantly, they picked up a 2-1 win.

Here's what they were saying after the game...

Coach Jacques Martin on the overall game - "I thought we had a good effort. I thought the last two games we’ve played extremely well. In San Jose we only came out with just one point, but I felt we could have had a better fate. It wasn’t a lack of work. It thought that we executed pretty good today against another top team; a big team that’s physical. I thought we used our speed and quickness to our advantage…I think the last two games I liked our third periods… I thought our power play was good. We scored one goal but we also created some good scoring chances."

Forward Brian Gionta on the overall game - "They [the Kings] had a lot of shots on the power play in the first period. So it’s [shots on goal in first period] was a little deceiving, but for sure we got better as the game went on, and in the second and third I thought we overtook the play… It’s [the win] big. Obviously the last six games or so we’ve been struggling a bit so today here was a pretty good effort for us."

Looking Back with Jonathan Bernier

By now, even casual Kings fans know who Jonathan Bernier is.

However, the goalie of the future is still waiting for his chance somewhat. Sure, he set the world on fire last year in the minors - becoming the AHL Goaltender of the Year. Yet, here in LA, Jonathan Quick was having his own strong season and isn't quite ready to give up his spot.

Still, Coach Murray has said the Kings are just as committed to giving Quick rest this season as they are Bernier starts. Thus, he isn't expected to get the Ersberg treatment and only ride the pine.

In fact, the coach says his plan is to play Bernier about once a week. Looking at the upcoming schedule, that means his most likely next start is either in Wednesday's home game against Carolina or the following night in Phoenix.

Before moving forward, we took a little trip backwards with Bernier and discussed the road that's brought him here...

MM:  When you were drafted by the Kings in June 2006 the team here was a in a bit of flux.  They had just hired a new GM in Dean Lombardi and were about to go through several changes.  Going back to draft weekend, what did you know about the Kings at the time?

Season Preview with Kelly Hrudey of HNIC

Continuing with our season previews this week, we visit with another returning guest from last year - former NHL goaltender and long time LA Kings fan favorite, Kelly Hrudey.

Fans here probably remember him best as the blue bandana wearing goalie from the '93 Stanley Cup Finals. Yet, north of the border he's been a member of the legendary Hockey Night in Canada crew for over a decade now, both on television and satellite radio. Thus, the man loves to talk about hockey!

In fact, Hrudey's plans for his post-NHL career were so well known towards the the end of his playing days, Dean Lombardi (then with the Sharks) once asked him "Why do I want to sign a 35-year old goalie who wants to be a broadcaster?"

In the interview below, we lean on his experience between he pipes to get some perspective on several goaltending related issues going on around the league, as well as some predictions for the Western and Eastern Conference standings.

MM: Roberto Luongo recently relinquished the captaincy in Vancouver.  What do you think about goaltenders wearing the 'C'?