Kings’ Jonathan Quick could be getting plenty of starts in goal

Goaltender Jonathan Quick will start when the Kings face the Calgary Flames on Thursday at Staples Center, which isn’t news. But it will continue what could end up being a long streak after Coach Terry Murray’s decision to erase his schedule in order to give more starts to Quick and fewer to Jonathan Bernier.

The trick for Murray will be to avoid overworking Quick, who faded last season while playing 4,258 minutes 27 seconds, the second-most ice time in the league. This season Quick has played 1,093:21, which ranked 18th before Wednesday’s games.

Murray said he hopes to keep the two-game winning streak going with Quick. “I’ll stay with it. That’s not going to be the No. 1 criteria, necessarily. But I’ll just stay with this game right now,” Murray said Wednesday after the team practiced in El Segundo. Quick, among the NHL leaders with a 1.92 goals-against average, .928 save percentage and 13 wins, said he feels sharp and able to handle more playing time. He credited his teammates’ strong defensive work for making his job easier.

“I feel great. I think we’re pretty fortunate right now where we’re not getting hit with a ton of games, so we get a little time in between,” he said. “I think the right thing is just to make sure you get your proper rest and do the right things away from the rink because the next couple weeks we’re going to start running downhill a little bit. There’s going to be a lot of games and we’re going to need everyone ready.”

He’s not reading much into Murray’s revised plan. “I just take it one game at a time because I know for sure if the job’s not getting done he’s going to have to make more changes,” Quick said.

Bernier, who last played Nov. 24 in a 4-1 loss in his hometown of Montreal, said he has felt good in practice. “I’m hoping to get a start again soon,” he said. “I know Quickie’s been great. He’s been outstanding since the beginning of the season so it’s hard for me to get ice time. I just worry about the team, not about myself.”

Slap shots

Defenseman Alec Martinez sat out practice because of the flu. His status for Thursday’s game will be determined at the morning skate. … Defenseman Willie Mitchell, who broke his left hand Nov. 6, practiced vigorously Wednesday and might return Monday at Detroit. … Winger Alexei Ponikarovsky will be activated Thursday and will play against Calgary. The Kings won’t have to make another roster move. … The fourth line will be Kyle Clifford-Brad Richardson-Kevin Westgarth. … Defenseman Drew Doughty turned 21 on Wednesday with 182 NHL games on his resume. “It’s incredible. Coming in as an 18-year-old, I can’t comprehend that,” said Murray, who made his NHL debut at 22. “It’s amazing how these young guys grow so fast and are so talented, so ready, so prepared to play in the National Hockey League.”

helene.elliott@latimes.com

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