Jonas Hiller Shines Playing In Back-To-Backs
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The Anaheim Ducks’ depth at goaltender will be put to the test again, as goaltender Viktor Fasth was placed on injured reserve yesterday before their matchup against the Phoenix Coyotes.
In the corresponding move, the Ducks recalled Frederik Andersen from the Norfolk Admirals of the American Hockey League. This will be the second stint in the NHL for Andersen this season, who shined in his first bit of action with the Ducks, winning his first six decisions before suffering a loss and earning a new two year contract with the organization.
For a two night stretch, it wasn’t the depth that carried the team out of their losing streak – it was the familiar face in Jonas Hiller that lifted the Ducks to two straight wins, on consecutive nights.
With the emergence of Fasth last year, and Andersen this year it has seemed easy to let the pending free agent slip your mind but his play the last two nights have put the Ducks back on the winning path.
Hiller was fantastic against the Lightning and Coyotes, stopping 73-of-75 pucks, including all 31 in the Ducks 1-0 victory over Tampa Bay. Barraged with pucks several times in both games, Hiller stayed cool and collected – especially when it counted. The Ducks went a perfect 10-for-10 on the penalty kill, led by Hiller who stopped all 15 shots he faced while down a man.
In an ideal situation, the Ducks wouldn’t of had to play Hiller on back-to-back nights, but Hiller handled himself and showed no sign of tiring at the end of the game, which would been understandable after facing 75-shots in a two day span, that also included travel from Anaheim to Phoenix.
The key? Getting involved quickly,
"It’s definitely easier coming off a good game and finding your way right into it. I thought early on I had a few shots, so it was nice to be right into the game again."
Having to face so many shots early on, Hiller was able to make last night’s game a continuation of the Tampa game.
That doesn’t mean he isn’t looking forward to the next two days off before playing the Dallas Stars,
"I’m definitely happy if I get to sit on the plane and be at home so I can put my legs up. If things go well, it’s always easier to push. We’ll definitely take that day off tomorrow."
He, as well as the entire Ducks team earned Sunday off, and will look to make the Stars their third straight victim on Tuesday night.
Anthony Murphy is the Editor at Pucks Of A Feather. You can reach him by email anthony.murphy@thefarmclub.net or follow him on Twitter @AMurphyTFC.