Coaches can always find something to worry about, but Darryl Sutter hasn't had to spend a lot of energy weighing who will be the No. 1 goalie for the Los Angeles Kings. That comfort evaporated during the first intermission of Wednesday's season opener.
Jonathan Quick, who got more ice time than any player in the NHL last season, left after the first period with what the team is calling a "lower body injury."
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The prognosis is "not good," general manager Dean Lombardi said through a team spokesman, according to the Los Angeles Times. Lombardi told the team's website it "could be awhile" before Quick returns.
Quick, 30, is scheduled to have an MRI exam on Thursday.
The team did not specify when Quick was injured, but Sutter said trainers told him that Quick said it while sliding in the crease late in the first period.
Jeff Zatkoff replaced Quick in net to start the second period and allowed one goal the rest of the way in a 2-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks.
Quick led all goaltenders by playing in 68 games last season, with 4,034 minutes of ice time — 139 more than runner-up Pekka Rinne. The Connecticut native won the Conn Smythe Trophy as the best goaltender in 2012 playoffs as the Kings won the Stanley Cup.
