from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,

The Kings considered goaltender Ben Scrivens almost a throw-in when they acquired him from Toronto last June, with winger Matt Frattin and a second-round draft pick, for goalie Jonathan Bernier. Kings executives liked Frattin but were so unsure about Scrivens' ability to capably back u pJonathan Quick that they invited veteran Mathieu Garon to compete for the job in training camp.

Frattin, supposedly the Kings' prize, has been a disappointment. Scrivens, the afterthought, has been thrust into the starting role with the monumental task of keeping the Kings' playoff hopes alive while Quick recovers from a groin injury.

Scrivens got off to a promising beginning Thursday, making 23 saves as the Kings rallied for a 3-2 victory over the New York Islanders at Uniondale, N.Y. But they face a perilous road without Quick, the most valuable player in their 2012 Stanley Cup run and still their foundation.

The muscle strain Quick sustained Tuesday was diagnosed as Grade 2 in severity, meaning he won't need surgery but will be out an estimated four to six weeks. That's a tough blow to a team trying to crack the top eight in the West without scorer Jeff Carter (foot), defenseman Matt Greene (upper-body injury), winger Kyle Clifford (head) and third-line center Jarret Stoll (upper body).

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