Kings’ Jonathan Quick may require surgery on injured groin

Jan 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) in the first period of the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) in the first period of the game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Reports have surfaced that Jonathan Quick may need surgery on his injured groin, which, if confirmed, will keep him out of the Kings lineup for months.

News may have just gotten even worse for Jonathan Quick and the Los Angeles Kings. Reports have surfaced that the Kings No.1 goaltender may need surgery on his ailing groin.

Quick, as he slipped while sprawling laterally on a wraparound attempt, suffered the injury on opening night against the San Jose Sharks.

The injury appears to be in the same spot as the Grade 2 groin pull he suffered three years ago, which kept the U.S. goaltender out of action for two months.

The Kings have placed Quick on the injured reserve and will await further advice and instruction from several specialists.

Peter Budaj was recalled from the AHL but it looks like the Kings will have to rely heavily on backup goaltender Jack Zatkoff in the meantime. The big question is whether the Kings will be forced to try and source a replacement for their injured goaltender, who is arguably LA’s most important player.

Inexperienced and untested, Zatkoff has played only 37 games in his NHL career. The 29-year-old has a 16-16-3 record with a 2.64 GAA. Only time will tell if Zatkoff is up to the challenge of being a No.1 NHL netminder.

One thing is for sure, though. The Kings won’t be considered a Stanley Cup contender as long as their franchise netminder is sidelined. Recurring groin injuries can be a cause for grave concern, especially for goaltenders who are so reliant on speed and agility.

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Kings fans will surely be holding their collective breath in the hope that Quick makes a speedy and full recovery. He is currently listed as week-to-week, but if surgery is required, Quick could possibly be out of the lineup for months.