It's been a couple of days since the Anaheim Ducks, led by Jonas Hiller, dispatched the Los Angeles Kings by a score of 3-0 in the first game ever played outdoors in Southern California.
The result was surprising, if not shocking. The Kings outshot the Ducks 36-21 and had a fair share of the possession in Anaheim's end. But much to the chagrin of the heavily pro-L.A. Crowd, Jonas Hiller was in net and on his game.
Unlike his previous start, a 3-2 loss at home to the Winnipeg Jets, Hiller brought his A-game and was sensational in the win. It was Hiller's fourth shutout of the season and the 20th of his career. He improved his record to 24-6-4 on the season, while dropping his goals against average to 2.34, his lowest since his rookie year back in 2007-08. Hiller's save percentage improved to .915 and that too is up over the previous four full seasons.
Even under the glare of the Dodger Stadium spotlight, it was Hiller that stood out above all else. His stop on Anze Kopitar's penalty shot midway through the first period set the tone for the game, while Corey Perry, Matt Beleskey and Andrew Cogliano did the rest.
With the amount of depth in net throughout the Ducks system, (Andersen, Fasth and Gibson) I figured Hiller would be allowed to test free agency and possibly walk this summer or maybe he would be traded for assets before that happened. Not so much anymore. One could argue that besides Ryan Getzlaf, Hiller has been one of the best stories and biggest reasons the 39-10-5 Ducks are where they are.
I think the Ducks have to extend the soon-to-be 32 year-old Swiss net minder. Hiller is proving that he IS a franchise goaltender and reliable one at that. He needs to be resigned and resigned soon.
If the win in the Stadium Series isn't convincing enough then I'll eat my prized Scott Stevens jersey.
What do you think? Is Hiller the Ducks franchise goalie going forward? Would you re-sign him and for how much?
***
After having watched the disaster in the Bronx on Sunday, a 7-3 NY Rangers win over the NJ Devils in the East's first Stadium Series game, it was clear that the conditions in L.A. were perfect for an outdoor hockey game and the conditions in New York were not. If fact, they were simply awful.
Both the Kings and Ducks moved up and down the ice with speed and showed no ill affects from the ice conditions.
Meanwhile.....
The conditions at Yankee stadium were atrocious. Both teams agreed the ice conditions were some of the worst they'd ever seen. Martin Brodeur was victimized by six really bad goals had this to say after the game...."... It was the worst ice I ever played hockey on."
The flow of the game in New York was slow and sloppy. Both teams looked like they were skating in mud. That conditions helped a much speedier Rangers squad manhandle a noticeably slower New Jersey club. It was tough to watch as a hockey fan, especially after the great show put on at Dodger Stadium the day before.
It will be interesting to see what happens during Wednesday nights second game in the house that Ruth/Jeter built. I hope nobody gets hurt.
What did you think of the outdoor games? Did you think the game in L.A. was better and are you sick of outdoor games yet?
Follow me on Twitter! @StevePalumboHTW
On Facebook at StevePalumboNHL
Email me at [email protected] 
San Jose Sharks Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»