When star goaltender Jonathan Quick went down with an injury during the LA Kings’ season opener this year, many thought it would be backup Jeff Zatkoff who’d take the reins until Quick returned.
Soon the team discovered that Quick’s recovery would take months. Kings head coach Darryl Sutter decided to rely on the tandem of Zatkoff and Budaj until Quick was healthy. It was Budaj, however, who would go on to win the starting job and excel while doing so.
Peter Budaj put up seven shutouts this season, along with a GAA of 2.12 and a SV% of .