Feb 6 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Viktor Fasth (30) prepares to make a save from a shot by Colorado Avalanche right wing Chuck Kobasew (12) during the third period of the game at the Pepsi Center. The Ducks defeated the Avalanche 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

The Ducks got off to a good start with a goal in the 1^st period coming from blueliner Sheldon Souray, who blasted a shot from the point for his fourth of the season.  Saku Koivu would add to the Ducks lead with a power play goal that came from a pass from Teemu Selanne, a pass that would be a landmark for the Finnish Flash, marking his 750^th career assist.

In the 2^nd period the Ducks would further build their lead when Francois Beauchemin would take a pass in the slot from Daniel Winnik, and bury it in the Avalanche net.  That would be the end of the scoring for either team, despite a shot that came from Kyle Palmieri that appeared to be a goal, but was not called as such on the ice.  The ruling was not overturned in video review as it was concluded that there was not indisputable video evidence.

While the stat sheet seemed to show the Ducks dominated the game offensively, there’s no disputing that tonight’s game was about Viktor Fasth.  The Avalanche were without Gabriel Landeskog, (injury), or Ryan O’Reilly, (contract issues), but still managed to test the Ducks netminder with 31 shots, 11 more than Anaheim.  Fasth wouldn’t budge however and provided some huge saves that would allow him to get his first career shutout.

The difference in shots was somewhat indicative of how well Anaheim played, (or didn’t).  While Anaheim certainly did make the most of chances, they weren’t always the most defensively responsible.  Thankfully, when the Ducks did have a defensive breakdown, Fasth was there to save the day.  Fasth is giving Bruce Boudreau good reason to consider giving him more starts, and will also hopefully inspire Jonas Hiller to improve the consistency of his play.  If these guys play to their potential, the Anaheim Ducks could end up with one of the elite goaltending tandems in the NHL this year, and perhaps for the next few.

Anaheim is giving the impression in this young season that they made all the right moves during the offseason as three of the offseason acquisitions found their way onto tonight’s stat sheet.  With tonight’s win the Ducks move to second place in the NHL standings, tied with the San Jose Sharks and the Boston Bruins.  The Ducks sit 3 points behind the first place Chicago Blackhawks, who the Ducks will face in Chicago, on Tuesday.  Before getting there however the Ducks will have to play in Dallas and St. Louis in back-to-back games.

Jan 18 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere (35) deflects a shot on net away during the first period against the Florida Panthers at the Pepsi Center. Credit: Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

He’s not a Duck anymore, but former Anaheim goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere was an important enough piece of Anaheim Ducks history that he warrants keeping an eye on. The Colorado Avalanche and 35 year old netminder announced today that they have agreed to terms on a contract extension that will keep Giguere with the club through the 2013-14 season. His existing 2-year contract had Giguere signed through the 2012-13 season at a $1.25 million cap-hit, the additional year of his new contract extension will put him at a $1.5 million cap hit for 2013-14.

Giguere spent 9 seasons with Anaheim, and was an integral piece in the Ducks’ 2003 Stanley Cup Final appearance, as well as the 2007 Stanley Cup championship team. After the team’s loss to the New Jersey Devils in the 2003 Stanley Cup Final, Giguere became one of only five players in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe on a team that did not win the Stanley Cup. He was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2009-10 season, and on  July 1st, 2011 he signed with Coloarado on as a free agent.

Jer is ready for elite goaltending in Anaheim. Follow him on Twitter @JerMeansWell.