4 Anaheim Ducks Preseason Storylines

Goaltending

May 14, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie

(36) during game six of the second round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Ducks 2-1 to tie the series 3-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

You would be hard pressed to find a bigger question mark for the Ducks entering the season. We know it will be Frederick Andersen and John Gibson, but there are questions to follow.

Who claims the No. 1 role and can one, or both, handle the pressures that come with it?

To be honest, I have no idea who to pick at this point as No 1. Consensus would probably lean toward Gibson as he is labeled a phenom and succeeded at virtually every level he has ever played at. But Andersen look very good last season and this job is 50/50 in my opinion. All eyes will be on them this whole preseason to see if one can claim the starting job.

Both looked very good in their season and playoff experiences last year with the exception of a few blemishes (Andersen away from Honda Center and Gibson seeming to let nerves get to him in Game 7 vs. LA) for each. Despite both saying all the right things in interviews about this being good and them pushing each other, they know it’s competition. Look for both to have their ‘A’ game from the drop of the puck tonight.

Honestly as far the season goes, I’m okay with a 41/41 game split. Both are coming into their second season and I don’t want either one of them playing anywhere close to 50-60 games. However come playoff time I want one guy. No goalie carousel in the playoffs this season. One guy and stick to it.

This may be the most important storyline to follow this preseason and although it may sound like a broken record, this one phrase is true:

The Ducks will go as far as Andersen/Gibson or Gibson/Andersen will take them.