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NHL scores 2017: Peter Budaj is the goaltending story no one is talking about

The Kings are only where they are because of their backup turned starter.

With the news that Jonathan Quick is starting to practice again with the Kings in full gear, it’s time to do a bit of a retrospective on the goaltender that’s carried the Kings through over half the season: Peter Budaj.

Like so many times this year, Budaj was the difference maker for the Kings on Saturday in their 1-0 shutout victory over the Flyers in overtime. He only needed to make 17 saves in the Flyers’ lifeless outing and arguably Michal Neuvirth was the bigger goaltending story on Saturday, but Budaj should get his fair due.

The Kings have the Western Conference’s first wild card spot with 58 points in 52 games. Budaj has started 43 of those so far this year, and has come out with an incredible .923 save percentage. The reason it’s so noteworthy? Budaj hasn’t played a starting role since 2008-09, and back then he posted a .899 save percentage.

Coming into this year, Budaj had a career .903 save percentage in 297 games played.

No one expected Budaj to play this well, and he’s clearly a big reason why they’re even contending for a playoff spot. When Quick went down it seemed the Kings were going to have to sink or swim with whatever goaltending they got, and Budaj is the No. 1 reason why Los Angeles isn’t hanging out with Colorado and Arizona at the bottom of the league.

Oh, and with the shutout on Saturday, Budaj now leads the NHL with seven. Should the Kings make the playoffs this year, you know the reason why.

#LAKings Peter Budaj: Last 35 starts: 7 shutouts Previous 203 starts (2007-2016); 7 shutouts

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) February 4, 2017

Scores

Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 Kings 1, Flyers 0 (OT) Avalanche 5, Jets 2 Maple Leafs 6, Bruins 5 Sabres 4, Senators 0 Lightning 3, Ducks 2 (SO) Hurricanes 5, Islanders 4 (OT) Devils 5, Blue Jackets 1 Penguins 4, Blues 1 Red Wings 1, Predators 0 Blackhawks 5, Stars 3 Wild 6, Canucks 3 Coyotes 3, Sharks 2 (SO)

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Four Things We Learned

1. The 4-1 lead curse struck again for Toronto

Thankfully this time, the Maple Leafs recovered. Even so, their dreaded nemesis, the 4-1 lead, came back to haunt them again versus the Bruins on Saturday. Second-year forward William Nylander had his first hat trick for the Maple Leafs, but it was almost overshadowed as the Bruins stormed back from a three-goal deficit to tie the game 4-4. A back and forth third period later and Toronto came away victorious 6-5 thanks to James van Riemsdyk’s late game winner.

The Maple Leafs are one win away from a season sweep of their Atlantic Division rivals.

"It was 4-1" in all three games against the Bruins so far. The results: W 4-1 W 4-1 W 6-5

— Pension Plan Puppets (@PPPLeafs) February 5, 2017

2. Sidney Crosby is inching closer to 1,000 points

It’s amazing to think we’re going to have both Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby hit 1,000 points in the same season. Saturday, Crosby added a pair of goals to put him three points away from the magic number. His first was as Crosby-like as you’d expect, a top shelf backhander from one knee.

How on earth did Sidney Crosby even manage to pull this off http://pic.twitter.com/2Me4WLDhX9

— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) February 5, 2017

His second, an empty netter, while not a game changer, put Crosby in a very nice position.

#Pens Sidney Crosby records his 30th goal in his 45th game this season He didn't score goal #30 last season until Game 69

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) February 5, 2017

3. The Blue Jackets took a beating

Since their 16-game winning streak, the Blue Jackets have been quite mediocre.

Blue Jackets 6-8-1 since winning streak. Part of that was backup issues with The Bob missing some time, but he's started 4 of last 5 (0-3-1)

— Tom Gulitti (@TomGulittiNHL) February 5, 2017

Sergei Bobrovsky has come back to earth over his last few games, and he gave up four goals on 29 shots to the Devils on Saturday. Of course, the Blue Jackets are still among the NHL’s best so it will likely take a fall of epic proportions before anyone should really worry about their playoff hopes.

4. Bo Horvat is the best thing about the Vancouver Canucks

After a very solid All-Star weekend, Horvat has continued to show why he was selected as the Canucks best player, because he’s the most exciting thing about them this year.

The Canucks lost once again, this time a 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Wild, but Horvat notched his 15th goal in the loss. The 21-year-old is now one goal shy of tying his career high, and seven points away from tying his career-best 40-point season from last year.

Impact Moment

There were a lot of fights and big hits on Saturday. Let us count the ways.

A) Mark Scheifele got lit up by Nikita Zadorov on maybe the hit of the year.

B) Matt Martin was dropped by Adam McQuaid with this hair-raising punch.

C) Jordin Tootoo also delivered a big punch, this one to the head of Antoine Roussel.

Jordan Tootoo thanks Antoine Roussel for playing http://pic.twitter.com/4hHD58mF9x

— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 5, 2017

Just another night of hockey.

Stat of the Night

Trevor & James van Riemsdyk are the first pair of brothers to score Game-Winning Goals on same day since Jordan & Eric Staal on Jan 15, 2011

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) February 5, 2017

One for the Blackhawks and the other for the Maple Leafs. Not a bad evening.