Kings history will soon be made yet again. With the current team’s 9 game winning streak eclipsing the old mark of 8 (set by 2 teams), another “changing of the guard” will soon take place. This time by Jonathan Quick. He is on the doorstep, and will certainly step on then over, the Kings single season record for wins by a goalie set by Mario Lessard back on March 14, 1981 against the Stars. The Kings scored 10 goals for him that night. Mario not only set the record for wins in a season for the Kings (which has lasted for 29 years) but he also led the NHL in victories for the entire 1980-81 season, along with a 3.25 GAA. Not bad at all considering the explosive offenses of the era.
During that season, Mario recorded 35 wins, 18 losses, and 11 ties in the 64 games he played. Quick currently has 34 wins in 53 games. But with the new rule changes eliminating ties comes criticism of comparing Quick’s wins with Lessard’s. “They are not equal,” some say. Quick has 7 shootout wins thus far, which would have been ties in Lessard’s day, which would give Quick only 27 wins in 1981. So if all things were equal, Quick would need to win 9 of his next 11 starts outright in order to beat Lessard’s mark in 64 games. Right? Well not so fast…
There are simply too many variables to consider when comparing rule changes and eras in any sport. Hockey is no different. While it can be said the open style of hockey in the early 80′s is akin to the NHL of today, there’s little doubt the level of play has improved 10 fold if not more. The complexity of today’s game far surpasses what it was back then. Nonetheless, Mario Lessard’s 35 victories was and is truly remarkable. He played his entire career with the Kings, which will always endear him to this fan. But the time has come to pass the torch. Jonathan Quick will very soon take his well earned place among great Kings goaltenders (and there aren’t many). Time will only tell in which direction Jonathan’s career heads, but regardless, it’s off to a very Quick start.
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