Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

John Gibson has been terrific since the start of 2017

Anaheim Ducks v Pittsburgh Penguins

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 09: John Gibson #36 of the Anaheim Ducks protects the net during the season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on October 9, 2014 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Getty Images

By trading Frederik Andersen to Toronto, the Anaheim Ducks were essentially crowning John Gibson as their starting goaltender, but he didn’t get off to such a hot start.

Gibson dropped his first three decisions of the season and it took a while for him to look comfortable as the go-to guy for the Ducks.

It’s not totally unexpected that a 23-year-old goalie would struggle to find consistency in his first full year as a starter, but Gibson and his team were able to weather the storm and it’s paid off in a big way.

He’s been terrific since late-December and that continued on Sunday, as he made 24 saves in a 1-0 shutout win over the rival Kings.

Since Dec. 27, Gibson has put up a 1.98 goals-against-average and a .934 save percentage. Both those numbers are tops in the NHL. He also leads all goalies in shutouts after Jan. 1 with four.

“This time of the season, that’s the way it’s going to be,” Gibson said after the win over Los Angeles, per NHL.com. “Going into the playoffs and towards the end of the year, games are going to be tight. There’s not much room for error, so you have to be pretty good.”

Anaheim is currently in third in the Pacific Division with 72 points in 60 games. They have the same amount of points as second-place Edmonton, but the Oilers have a game in a hand. Both the Ducks and Oilers trail the division-leading Sharks by five points.

If Gibson can continue playing the way he is right now, he’ll give his team a shot at the division crown or at least home ice advantage.