“You guys are writing a story on that one goal?” an annoyed Jonathan Quick asked local reporters.
Quick’s L.A. Kings dropped their home opener 3-1 to the New York Rangers Monday in what should’ve been a classic duel between arguably the best two goaltenders in the game, Quick and Henrik Lundqvist.
Instead, it will be remembered for the shorthanded goal Rangers defenceman Ryan McDonagh should have never scored.
At 4:39 of the third period, with the Kings trailing by a goal and on the power play, Ranger Brian Boyle wins a defensive-zone draw to McDonagh, who just clears the puck down the ice off the boards.
Quick leaves his crease to play the puck — which is heading way wide — but drops his stick.
“My stick fell out of my hand,” he said. “I tried to stop it with my blocker and it hit my blocker.” And took a sharp left turn and crept into the vacant net.
Poor guy. You know Quick felt embarrassed. But to make matters worse, when the 2012 Conn Smythe winner made a routine save on the next play, the Staples Center crowd cheered sarcastically.