Pucks of a Feather
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Anaheim Ducks mid-summer review: Are they better now?

By Ed Stein

SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 18: The San Jose Sharks shake hands with the Anaheim Ducks after the Sharks sweep the Ducks to win the Western Conference First Round in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 18, 2018 in San Jose, California. The Sharks defeated the Ducks 2-1. (Photo by Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
SAN JOSE, CA - APRIL 18: The San Jose Sharks shake hands with the Anaheim Ducks after the Sharks sweep the Ducks to win the Western Conference First Round in Game Four of the Western Conference First Round during the 2018 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at SAP Center on April 18, 2018 in San Jose, California. The Sharks defeated the Ducks 2-1. (Photo by Scott Dinn/NHLI via Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /
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Anaheim Ducks
SAN JOSE, CA – APRIL 16: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks defends the net against Tomas Hertl #48 of the San Jose Sharks in Game Three of the 2018 Western Conference First Round on April 16, 2018. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) /

Goaltending

This is the Anaheim Ducks greatest strength. The combination of John Gibson and Ryan Miller is outstanding. There were no changes here other than exchanging third-string goalies. Reto Berra left for Switzerland and Jared Coreau was signed to replace him.

Both Gibson and Miller are a year older, ironically their respective birthdays are three days apart. That’s both good and bad for the Ducks. Gibson is now 25, more seasoned and hopefully in better condition. He’s had another summer to reflect and study.

The Pittsburgh, Pa. native has been around long enough to play 178 regular season and 26 playoff games. By now, he has a good read on opposing players and teams around the league. The Ducks will go as far next season as Gibson can take them.

Miller turned 38 this week. He’s at an age when a goaltender’s skills are in rapid decline. Last year, he had his best season since 2009-10, albeit in a somewhat reduced role. Most important for Anaheim, he was, at the least reliable, and most times outstanding, when called on to play by Randy Carlyle.

Miller has an important role on the team as both Gibson’s backup and mentor. To get the most of the future Hall-of-Fame goalie, he’ll need to to be more protected than he was last year. The Ducks can’t afford to play Miller more than 22-25 games in 2017-18.

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