In his brilliant 20-game run to the Conn Smythe Trophy - and backstopping the Los Angeles Kings to their first Stanley Cup championship last June - Jonathan Quick never allowed more than three goals per game.

In a banner-raising opener Saturday, Quick allowed three goals on the first eight shots - and five goals on 22 shots - in a 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

In his season debut, Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes was pulled after one period in favour of Dan Ellis, after allowing four goals on a dozen shots in a 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Jamie Howard of the Detroit Red Wings was mercifully yanked in the third period, after giving up five goals on 28 shots, and allowed Jonas Gustavsson to mop up in a 6-0 drubbing by the St. Louis Blues.

If that isn't enough, early Vezina Trophy favourite Henrik Lundqvist lasted 29: 11 in his Sunday opener for the New York Rangers before giving way to Martin Biron, after allowing four goals on 18 shots in a 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

And, of course, Cory Schneider got the hook Saturday, and was replaced by Roberto Luongo, after allowing five goals on 14 shots during an embarrassing 7-3 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.

Schneider's goals-against average is 11.11; his save percentage is .643.

What in the name of Martin Brodeur is going on out there? Lockout rust? European exposure causing skill erosion?

"It's the speed of the shots that you can't replicate in practice," said Kelly Hrudey, the Hockey Night In Canada colour commentator and former NHL goalie.

"It's the traffic in front of the net, because that takes a lot of adjusting, and so does the reading of plays.

"If you get a little bit behind, your mind starts racing. And when you're under the gun, it causes you to do things you wouldn't normally see."

Hrudey should know. He played for the Kings during the lockout-shortened 1994-95 season, and fashioned a 14-13-5 record with a 3.14 GAA and a .910 save percentage. After advancing to the 1993 Cup final, the Kings were just 16-23-9-0 and used five goalies through injury, indifferent play and trades.

"I went from being really excited to pretty nervous to almost being scared knowing that I felt I was way behind everybody else, and didn't have many days to turn it around," added Hrudey.

"Our first game, we had Toronto in town and tied them 3-3, and I let in two pretty ordinary goals, and (coach) Barry Melrose had a talk with me the next day."

Schneider felt his Swiss league experience during the lockout was beneficial, although Hrudey's brief exposure overseas, with Wayne Gretzky's touring team, wasn't a pleasant one during that work stoppage.

"It's a huge adjustment over there and I felt completely lost most of the time," recalled Hrudey. "I really struggled."

Schneider stressed that no goalie wants a puck getting through him - especially between the arm and body - and that's where he allowed a Sheldon Souray goal Saturday.

"I seem to be a fraction of a second behind and maybe that's the quick adjustment you need to get back to the pace of NHL play," said Schneider.

"The releases are quicker and a couple squeaked through that I was just a split-second late in closing up. That's the difference between this league and others around the world.

"Sometimes, you're a little too excited and you don't relax and let the puck come to you.

"You have be patient and trust yourself and do what you've been doing your whole life. If you're tracking pucks and sealing your body up, you'll be amazed how much success you can have."

Schneider went 20-8-1 last season, with a 1.96 GAA that ranked behind only St. Louis's Brian Elliott (1.56) and Quick (1.95). Schneider's .937 save percentage ranked second to Elliott's .940.

But now comes the additional strain of the agonizing wait for a Luongo trade and coach Alain Vigneault not electing to give his anointed starter a chance to redeem himself Sunday.

Although Vigneault hasn't named his starter for Wednesday against the Calgary Flames, it hasn't affected the relationship between the goalies.

"We bounce stuff off each other and Louie has been supportive," stressed Schneider.

"We're there for each other when things aren't going well. There's going to be adversity. You've got to learn from it and move on and become better. You can't dwell on it."

Unlike Schneider, Luongo didn't play in Europe during the lockout but worked with longtime goalie consultant Francois Allaire. He allowed two goals on a dozen shots Saturday in relief, and made 30 saves Sunday through regulation and overtime before being beaten on both shootout efforts in a 3-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

"For me, it's a matter of the flow of a game," said Luongo. "I want to make sure I'm making good reads and that comes with ice time - even though I feel right now I'm almost where I want to be."

Even in what most would perceive to be an awkward goalie situation?

"We're a team, no matter what the roles are this year or the past, and it's important we have each other's back," added Luongo.

"The best thing to do is to forget about a bad game and work hard in practice and have fun. If you think too much, it's going to hamper you."

bkuzma@theprovince.com twitter.com/benkuzma