Anaheim Ducks: Match up of Olympic goalies tonight

Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Two Olympic goaltenders expected to lead their respective country’s charge for a gold medal will face off tonight at the Honda Center.

Switzerland’s Jonas Hiller looks to extend his personal winning streak to 12 games and look to extend the Anaheim Duck’s dominance at home.

For Tuukka Rask, he will likely get the nod in net for Finland who will be without Pekka Rinne as he continues to struggle to return to game action. Rask has been the back bone of a Boston Bruins’ team that made it to the Stanley Cup Final last season and returns a star studded lineup.

Tuukka Rask

20-4-4

Record

21-9-2

2.42

GAA

1.96

.911

Save %

.934

2

Shutouts

4

Rask is among the top-five in each major goalie statistical category – Save percentage, GAA and wins as well as being tied for the lead in shutouts.

Hiller’s numbers are not at the elite level that Rask’s are, but there is little doubt he has been the hottest goalie in the past month. In the month of December, he was named one of the NHL’s ‘Three Stars’, going undefeated in regulation.

These Olympics will be the first for Rask, who will also have Antti Niemi of the San Jose Sharks and Kari Lehtonen from the Dallas Stars nipping at his hip for playing time. For Hiller he is no stranger to these Olympics.

Having nearly led his country to an upset victory of Canada and used the games to take control of the Ducks’ goaltending situation, making the trade of Jean Sebastian Giguere earlier in the season – a little easier to set with.

Both countries will rely on their respective goalies, Switzerland more so than Finland – so this game will be a great warm up for both the players and the fans to get excited for the upcoming games.

Anthony Murphy is the Editor at Pucks of a Feather. You can reach him by email amurphy540@pullinamurph.com or follow me on Twitter @AMurphyTFC.