Jonathan Quick wins in Vegas debut, 'felt pretty comfortable'

LAS VEGAS — Jonathan Quick didn't have the sharpest debut, but did enough to notch his first victory with the Vegas Golden Knights Sunday in a 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Quick, a two-time Stanley Cup champion acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday — two days after he was traded from the Los Angeles Kings — had 25 saves in the victory.

«I felt pretty comfortable right from the get-go,» Quick said. «Obviously, a different setting, a different color jersey, but once you get out there, you just try to play hockey.»

Quick, who knows the environment in Vegas as an opponent all too well, was greeted warmly by the fans when he led the Golden Knights onto the ice pregame.

«It's a fun building to play in,» Quick said. «These fans are great, we've known that since Day 1. Definitely a warm reception, and I enjoyed that.»

Where Quick, who will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, fits into coach Bruce Cassidy's plans the rest of the regular season and into the postseason remains to be seen. He could work his way into a starting role, or be a backup like he was this season in Los Angeles. But, after this whirlwind week, the veteran will be ready for whatever comes his way.

«I'm a goalie,» Quick said, «so, stop the puck, try to win.»

Ivan Barbashev, another recent acquisition in Las Vegas, scored twice, and Shea Theodore and Reilly Smith also tallied in the win for Vegas.

Barbashev is very comfortable right in front of the net and that's where the forward found himself twice with the puck on his stick. He made the most of it.

«I think you'll see a lot more of that,» Cassidy said. «That's where he goes, that's where he hangs out. He's comfortable there, right out in front of the net. He was ready to use