Anaheim Ducks Mid-Season Report Cards: The Goaltenders

We continue handing out our mid-season grades by taking a look at the three masked men who have played between the pipes for the Anaheim Ducks this season.

There have been several moments this season where the Anaheim Ducks have relied too much on the men between the pipes. While they are nowhere near perfect, after last nights loss, it seemed like a good opportunity to give some recognition to our masked men.

Chad Johnson — Anaheim Ducks Backup Goaltender

Grade: C

It is very difficult to grade Chad Johnson based off of two games with the Anaheim Ducks. Especially since one of those games was at the relief of John Gibson after he was injured during the game against the San Jose Sharks.

He is an average goaltender, and it has shown in the two games he has played for the Ducks. In two games he has let in four goals, posting an average save percentage of .911%.

I feel it is only fair for me to give an average grade to an average goaltender who spends most of his time on the bench.

I wish I had more of a sample size, but because John Gibson has managed to stay healthy for most of the season, we have very little to grade him on.

If we were basing his grade off of his new mask though, I’d give him an A for sure!

Ryan Miller — Anaheim Ducks Backup Goaltender

Grade: B-

It is very difficult to grade backup goaltenders sometimes. They seldom make an appearance, and it makes things difficult when they succumb to the injury bug. However, the 10 games Ryan Miller has made an appearance in so far this season have given us enough to give him an adequate grade.

He has started in 7 games this season, winning four, losing two, and losing one in overtime. There have been three other games in which he has come to the relief of John Gibson, two of them being losses, one of them turning into an impressive win.

While he has been a reliable back up, he has not always been a brick wall. I cannot entirely chalk the losses completely up to his performance, but losses such as that against the Buffalo Sabres and the Colorado Avalanche were rather disappointing to watch.

However, He has aided the Anaheim Ducks in big games this season, such as the road win against the Tampa Bay Lightning where he made 34 saves and only allowed one goal.

There were three games this season that resulted in John Gibson being pulled. Two of those three games ended in a loss for Miller.

He allowed two more goals against the Vegas Golden Knights which resulted in a 5-0 shutout. However, there was little he could do in the Dallas game after John Gibson allowed four goals after facing 44 shots on goal in two periods.

One of the most impressive performance, from the Anaheim Ducks as a whole, was their 6-5 comeback against the Washington Capitals. While Miller did allow 2 more goals before the end of regulation, he was clearly the better option after a tired John Gibson allowed 3 goals 13:19 into the first period.

John Gibson — Anaheim Ducks Goaltender

Grade: B+

John Gibson has made 38 appearances, starting in 37 games, with the Anaheim Ducks so far this season, posting a 15-14-7 record.

While his save percentage has dropped to .920% after the Anaheim Ducks 10 game losing streak, he has still maintained his composure in the net. He is leading all active NHL goaltenders in shots against, saves, and is second in goals saved above average.

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This points to a striking revelation. His save percentage doesn’t tell the whole story. It is still impressive, and with plenty of games left to improve, he is still easily in the running for the Vezina.

While it would be easy to give Gibson a lower grade based on the Anaheim Ducks recent failings, it isn’t fair. Bob Murray‘s refusal to make change has dumped a lot of responsibility on John Gibson’s shoulders and in a roundabout way, he is being asked to carry the team.

He has risen to the occasion, doing what he can to keep his team in a position that could possibly give them a chance to see the playoffs. However, goaltending can only cover up so much. With the rest of his team playing the way they have been, it is no wonder they are on a 10 game losing streak (I am still in utter disbelief that I have to write that.)

The Ducks are in the position they are in right now because of John Gibson. Plain and simple. If the Anaheim Ducks had even an average goaltender, they would be hanging out at the bottom of the standings with the Los Angeles Kings.

There are certainly goals this season that Gibson probably wishes he wouldn’t have given up, and that is why he’s not getting an A on his mid-season report card. However, he has been the Anaheim Ducks saving grace when they have put themselves between a rock and a hard spot.

It’s gotten to the point where it seems like carrying this team is finally starting to weigh on Gibson.  He seems to be going through the motions, wondering, like the rest of us, when this season is going to end. That doesn’t mean that he is anything less than the phenomenal goaltender he has been all season.

What it does point to is that the Anaheim Ducks have a lot of problems that need to be addressed and John Gibson cannot be the answer to all of them. It’s time for a change. A goaltender like Gibson deserves a team in front of him that is going to enhance his performance, not a team that is going to drag him down.

Do you agree with our goaltender grade? Be sure to stay tuned as we work our way down the rest of the roster to hand out our mid-season grades.