In part one I reviewed the Ducks forwards. Today it will be the goaltenders and defense. The goaltending has been this team's backbone so far.
Goalies
On many nights, John Gibson and Frederick Andersen kept Anaheim in the game while the offense was tanking. The problem is that they have to be almost perfect to overcome the lack of goals scored for.
John Gibson wasn't even supposed to be a Duck this year. Then Frederick Andersen went down and his backup Anton Khudobin was ineffective. Since then he is 9-6-2 with a 1.84 goals against average, .926 save percentage and four shutouts. His record should be better than it is. In his six losses and two OTLs, the Ducks have scored two or less goals in every one of them. If you need more proof of how Gibson has kept this team in games, of his nine wins, seven of them have been decided by two or less goals. Additionally, three of his four shutouts have been by a score of 1-0. This is why Gibson is closing in on the leaders for the Calder trophy.
Frederick Andersen has his share of hard luck losses this season as well. The difference is that some of those losses are because of his propensity to allow soft goals. His stats are decent; 6-8-5, 2.42, .916, O. The stat line however doesn't tell the whole story. There have been several times this season when Andersen needed to make a “big save… but hasn't. In addition, some of the soft goals he has allowed have been demoralizing. Last season, when Anaheim needed Andersen to step it up a notch and keep the team in the game he did, all the way up to the Western Conference Finals. Since the WCF, something is amiss. Freddy has not been dominant at crunch time.
Defense
It is tough to give a fair assessment of the defense due to injuries. The top pair coming into the season has hardly played together. Players who would have been the seventh, eighth and ninth defensemen have logged regular minutes. This has led to missed defensive assignments as well as increased scoring opportunities for opponents.
Cam Fowler was on his way to a big season until his recent injury. It seemed like this was the year he stepped up and provided leadership. Although his offensive numbers are up, his -13 is very concerning. He has played with multiple partners and that may be part of the problem.
Hampus Lindholm was expected to take another step up in his development this year. He didn't. He may even have taken a small step backwards. Lindholm plays such a polished game that its difficult to remember he won't turn 22 until next week. If there is some unevenness to his growth as an NHL defenseman, he gets a pass due to the fact the young Swede is best blueliner the Ducks have.
One man's injury was another man's opportunity. In Fowler's absence, Sami Vatanen has taken advantage of increased playing time. Until Theodore's arrival he was biggest spot of creativity from the back end.
Due to his concussion four games into the season, Simon Despres gets an incomplete.
Clayton Stoner is a player I have come to appreciate, the longer he stays with the team. If you are expecting a highly skilled player, big number three is not your guy. If you want a hard hitting guy that gives his team all that he has every night, then you found your man. Stoner just isn't a “gifted… skater or puck handler. He is a third pair, defensive defenseman; a role suited to his ability that he thrives in.
The start of Kevin Bieksa's career in a Ducks uniform has been lass than expected. He seems to be a half step slower than the half step he was off from his prime. On the bright side, he seems to be fitting in better recently, but he could see a drop in minutes when Despres gets back up to speed.
Korbinian Holzer is this team's eight best defenseman. He has played more this season than the Ducks would have liked.
In a short period of time, Shea Theodore is looking like everything he is advertised to be. When Simon Despres gets back some tough decisions will need to be made.
Dallas @ Ducks
The offensive juggernaut that is the Dallas Stars are tonight's opponent. Frederick Andersen was first off the ice during practice, so he is the likely starter in goal. There shouldn't be too much deviation from recent lineups. You will probably see...
Forwards Rakell-Getzlaf-Perry Hagelin-Kesler-Silfverberg Horcoff-Thompson-Cogliano Maroon-Santorelli-Stewart
Defensemen Vatanen-Bieksa Lindholm-Manson Stoner-Theodore
Goalies Andersen Gibson