Anaheim Ducks: 36 Days Until Home Opener— Best of John Gibson

Only 36 days stand between the Anaheim Ducks and opening day against the Arizona Coyotes. In preparation, we’re taking a look at some of the best John Gibson moments from the 2018-19 season.

Last season, we all caught ourselves staring in amazement and saying, “how did John Gibson make that save?” The Anaheim Ducks have struck gold with their elite goaltender, and with 36 days standing between them and opening day of the 2019-20 season, it is only fitting that we take a look at a few of Gibsons best saves of 2018-19. While these may not be his best saves of the season, they take the cake as some of our favorite.

Sticking it to His Hometown

Any time a player goes into his hometown, it is a momentous occasion. While most of us were excited to see Daniel Sprong play against the Pittsburgh Penguins after they traded him, watching Gibson perform against the team he grew up cheering for is something special.

During this particular save, Sidney Crosby was on the ice with the puck on his stick. With the defensive struggles that Ducks had last season, this was not a good recipe. Crosby dumped the stick near the front of the net, with Byran Rust willing and ready to send it home.

Nevertheless, Gibson made a highlight-reel save, showing off his athleticism and skill. Not only did he rob Rust, but he made a save that most goaltenders could never make. It’s saves like this that should get Gibson noticed for his stellar goaltending skills.

John Gibson Robs Tyler Seguin

If you know me at all, you know that I love the running joke that Tyler Seguin has never scored a goal against the Anaheim Ducks. It is almost unheard of that a player who has been good for 70-80 points over his 9 season career in the NHL. Yet, season after season, as hard as he tries, Seguin just can’t seem to get a goal past any of the Ducks netminders.

However, if there was any season where Seguin was going to score a goal against the Ducks, it would have been last year. The Ducks were defensively weak and extremely vulnerable in front of the net. During this particular game against the Dallas Stars, the Texas team had outshot the Ducks 37 to 13 in the first two periods alone.

More from Ducks News

• Who could the Anaheim Ducks consider presenting offer sheets to?
• Is Pierre-Luc Dubois on the cards for the rebuilding Anaheim Ducks?
• Making the case for the Anaheim Ducks to trade with the Edmonton Oilers
• Anaheim Ducks might benefit tremendously by trading John Gibson
• How close are the Anaheim Ducks to becoming contenders again?

The dynamic duo of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn were looking to lead their team to victory and break the 3-3 tie. As the Stars control the play of the game, once again, John Klingberg walks the puck down the slot. He lays a cross-ice pass perfectly on Seguin’s stick, who hammers the puck towards the net. Gibson stands strong in the net, making the save, but sending it once again to Seguin. In an attempt to score once again, he attempts to wire the rebound home, to no avail.

Gibson reacts quickly, not letting the shot even phase him as he makes the save with his glove. Another amazing save by JG36 and the look on Seguin’s face and his reaction were absolutely priceless!

An Impossible Save Against Nashville

Playing against the Nashville Predators is always a riot. The rivalry between the two fanbases has heated up to epic proportions over the past few seasons, and whenever the Ducks win, it comes with a lot of bragging rights. Nevertheless, the Anaheim Ducks would probably not have defeated the Nashville Predators twice last season if not for their faithful goaltender, John Gibson.

During their first game of the season, Rickard Rakell and Kevin Fiala had the game tied up for their respective teams, sending it into the dreaded overtime period. Things were going smoothly until Jakob Silfverberg took a 2-minute slashing penalty with less than 3 minutes to go in OT.

The Predators had a one-man advantage and in overtime, not the most ideal situation for the Ducks to be in. As the Predators set up the power play, Roman Josi sent the puck to Ryan Ellis. Filip Forsberg put himself in the perfect position to send the puck up the ice and right into Gibson’s territory.

Gibson made the save, but this left a wide-open net with Ryan Johansen and a rebound right in front. The possibility of a save seemed dismal, and it seemed like the overtime period was about to be cut short. Nevertheless, Gibson reacted swiftly, swatting the puck with the tip of his glove, giving it enough momentum to fly wide of the net.

The overtime period would end scoreless, sending the game into a shootout. Eight rounds later and the Anaheim Ducks would come out on top, with goals from Pontus Aberg and Rickard Rakell. However, without John Gibson and his flawless goaltending that night, his team would have lost.

Do you love the Anaheim Ducks enough to write about them? We have several open positions for contributors here at Pucks of a Feather and we’d love for you to join our team! Apply above!