5 Anaheim Ducks Who Need to Perform

1.) Frederick Andersen/John Gibson

Sep 16, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Frederick Andersen (31) against the Phoenix Coyotes at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks firmly believe in their future as they let long-time starter Jonas Hiller walk via Free Agency. This move opens the door for either Frederick Andersen or John Gibson. At this point it is not yet known who will get the nod as starter but what is known is the starter needs to play at an exceptionally high level. If there is one big question mark on the Ducks as a whole it’s between the pipes.

Both Andersen and Gibson and played well in their limited time with the Ducks. Both showed they can play with the big boys during the regular season. Andersen won 20 of the 28 games he played posting a 2.29 GAA and a .923 SV%. Gibson won all 3 regular season games he played while posting a 1.33 GAA and a whopping .954 SV%. Andersen played vastly more games but both showed they belong in the NHL. The playoffs showed some cracks in both goalies games however. Andersen got the nod to start the post-season for the Ducks and showed that choice was the right one. He played lights out in Games 1 and 2 verses Dallas he looked like and All-Star composed and never letting the big stage get to him.

That changed when the series shifted to Dallas. Away from the comfy confines of Honda Center Andersen looked noticeably rattled. This trend continued until Andersen’s injury in Game 6 of the Dallas series that shelved him for the rest of the playoffs. Andersen looked great at home and so-so away in the post-season and for the Ducks to succeed Andersen needs to play at the level he’s capable of no matter what rink he’s in.

Gibson didn’t get his playoff shot until Game 3 of the Los Angeles series. With the Ducks down 0-2 and looking at two straight games in LA they needed Gibson to stymie the Kings. And that’s what he did; posting a shutout in Game 3 and continuing that high level of play gave the Ducks three straight wins and a 3-2 series lead. Although playing well in Game 6 the Ducks would drop a close one and be forced into a Game 7. In Game 7 the Ducks didn’t do much to help Gibson out but he looked like a rookie in this one and would ultimately lead to Ducks loss and series loss. Both problems that plague the goalies seem to be confidence and composure on the big stage. Now that it’s their show they should be able to force on another to be better and they will have to be if the Ducks want to compete amongst the elite in the West.