Childish?  Yes.  I have to admit I love this “X-Tra Normal” stuff.  Here we have Roberto Luongo giving word to Martin Brodeur that he’s no longer number one in goal.  Go Canada Go!

No one should be surprised that a Los Angeles Kings revival is taking place with a guy named Jonathan between the pipes.  Most would have predicted that it would be 2006 first round draft pick Jonathan Bernier burgeoning on stardom, but Jonathan Quick’s elevated play thus far in 2009-10 has him locked in as number one in Lotus Land.

Quick made 45 saves last night en route to upsetting the division leading San Jose Sharks 6-2.  The recently anointed Olympian has started in goal for all but four of the Kings’ games this season and while his 2.56 GAA and .907 SV% aren’t eye-popping, his record of 23-13-3 certainly is.  Barring an injury or complete collapse, Quick appears to have solidified his status as the team’s number one goalie for this season at least.

Jonathan Bernier has been viewed as the goalie of the future since he was drafted eleventh overall and appeared in four games at the beginning of the 2007-08 season.  He was quickly sent back to the QMJHL where he was eventually named to Canada’s World Junior team along with Steve Mason.  Bernier had a decent 08-09 season with Manchester of the AHL, but his stock appeared to slip a bit and he was supplanted on the depth chart by Quick.

How’s he doing now?  Bernier has been lights out in the AHL this season, finding himself in the top five in just about every statistical category.  As of January 5th, Bernier held a 16-9-3 record, a 2.02 GAA, and an incredible .940 SV%.  His four shutouts are good enough for second and he’s seen nearly 300 more shots than any other number one in the league.

So what’s next for the Laval, PQ native?  Look at it this way, Erik Ersberg has been awful in five appearances this season and Quick is just a handful of starts away from surpassing his career high.  The Kings currently sit in third in the uncomfortably close Pacific Division (their 53 points would put them in second in any other division) and with Quick slated to head to Vancouver in February for the Olympics there is the threat of breaking down.

My money is on Bernier joining the Kings down the stretch, while it’s unlikely he jumps over Quick right away he should get a chance to prove that the future is bright in L.A.