Super saver is ticket on Kings’ trip to London

LONDON -- It was only one game.

One very good game.

It would be crazy, on the basis of a 26-save performance in a raggedy season opener, to predict that Jonathan Bernier will solve the goaltending problem that has plagued the Kings for most of their 40 years.

But wouldn’t it be something if he does?

He showed so much promise that Saturday’s game at the O2 arena may be remembered not as the NHL’s first regular-season venture in Europe but as the day a star was born.

He’s ready: he has “Hollywood” on his mask.

It’s not every goalie who could remain serene while making his NHL debut against the defending Stanley Cup champions, who threw big-bodied Todd Bertuzzi in front of him to block his view at every opportunity.

Who could keep his wits in a game played 5,500 miles and eight time zones from the city he represents.

A game whose start was delayed 16 minutes because the house lights didn’t brighten after being dimmed for a shaky performance of “The Star Spangled Banner” and a rousing, sing-along rendition of “God Save the Queen.”

Any one of those circumstances might have shaken a less confident athlete.

Bernier, barely 19, never lost his poise during the Kings’ 4-1 victory over the Ducks.

“It’s always the same game,” he said, shrugging. “I felt great in preseason games and I just tried to do the same things.”

When the lights wouldn’t regenerate and the teams were sent back into their respective locker rooms, Bernier removed his jersey and chest protector and quietly awaited the signal to reclaim his crease.

“I skated over to him and said, ‘This is how it always is in the NHL,’ and he just said ‘OK,’ ” said Rob Blake, the Kings’ captain. “Nothing is a big deal to him.”

But he may turn out to be a very big deal to a team that has lacked credibility -- and routine saves -- for too long.

He is keenly aware that Kings fans have had their fill of goalies who can’t stop a beach ball, who are befuddled by shots from the blue line and recoil from rebounds as if they were allergic to rubber.

“I heard that a lot of times,” he said with a smile.

“I just try to do my things and for right now, I just try to go day by day and we’ll see in the future.”

Among his “things” is a ritual he follows during the national anthem.

“I kind of say what I need to do for the game, and I talk to five persons that are dead and were important for me in my life,” he said, adding that his late grandfather, uncle and surrogate grandfather are his main sources of inspiration.

Whether his strength comes from the spirit of his departed loved ones or from his technical skills, he made a favorable impression Saturday that went beyond holding the Ducks scoreless until Bobby Ryan backhanded home a power-play rebound at 13:09 of the third period.

He wasn’t subjected to much sustained pressure by the Ducks, who sorely missed the energy and creativity of the apparently retired Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer. But he made the necessary saves, the ones that kill flurries before they can grow into rallies.

The saves the Kings couldn’t count on getting last season.

“After they got that goal in the third he smothered two or three pucks right after that and you could see our team calm down,” Blake said. “That’s what great goaltenders do.”

Winger Dustin Brown saw it, too.

“He has a calmness to him that makes it easy to play in front of him,” Brown said.

“On routine saves he’s calm, but big saves you don’t expect him to make, he just makes them and goes back to his net and has that calm look to him which calms everyone else on the ice.”

Bernier learned Friday that his stellar training-camp efforts had earned him the start. Bill Ranford, the Kings’ goaltending coach, went over some points Bernier might not have picked up in exhibition games, such as the tendencies of the Ducks’ shooters and their power play.

“The big thing was for him not to get too excited,” Ranford said.

Fat chance. “He has presence around the dressing room,” Blake said. “He’s an NHL player.”

First, though, the Kings must be sure he’s the real deal and not ahead of everyone else only because his season began more than a month ago, during the Canada-Russia junior Super Series.

Ranford attributed Bernier’s success to the Quebec native’s skills and sharpness under duress. The latter talent may come in handy for someone expected to make up for four decades of goaltending follies.

“He’s not going to put that type of pressure on himself,” Ranford said. “He just relishes the opportunity to go out there and play. That’s always been his approach and I don’t think he’s going to change that.”

Bernier’s polish defies his youth. He was born on Aug. 7, 1988 -- two days before the Kings acquired Wayne Gretzky from Edmonton.

“That’s pretty amazing,” said Blake, who will be 39 in December. “I’d probably get along with his parents better.”

But they can’t stop pucks like Jonathan can.

“He’s definitely up for the challenge,” Blake said. “He wants to play in the NHL, and what better opportunity is there than to come in with a franchise like the Kings?”

Who thought anyone would ever say those words, in that order, in a sentence? Bernier has already made history, the best thing likely to emerge from this marketing exercise disguised as a hockey series.

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Helene Elliott can be reached at helene.elliott@latimes.com. To read previous columns by Elliott, go to latimes.com/elliott.