John Gibson is the Worst Goalie Remaining in the Playoffs. By Far.
John Gibson, starting goalie for the Anaheim Ducks, has somehow, by the stroke of God, managed to get his team to the Western Conference Final.
In case you haven't seen Gibson play this season, well, you haven't missed much. Actually, you haven't missed a single thing.
Why you may ask? He is THE worst goalie remaining in the NHL playoffs, and he was one of the worst during the regular season as well.
Make the argument that yes, he's young. This was his first full season for the Ducks, and his first as the majority stater. But look at his stats! He really, really struggles to keep the puck out of the back of the net. He's allowed 13 goals in his last 5 starts. 13! In Game 6 of the Ducks' series against the Edmonton Oilers, Gibson gave up 3 goals, on 6 shots, before the halfway point in the first period. He was pulled from the game by head coach Randy Carlyle just 8:25 into the game.
The Ducks went on to lose the game 7-1, but came back home and hung on to win Game 7, 2-1, and send the Oilers home disappointed.
Think Game 6 was a fluke? Nope. In Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinal at Calgary, Gibson didn't make it through a period and a half, as he was pulled after 28 and a half minutes in net, allowing 4 goals on just 16 shots.
Gibson also had a terrible game in Game 5 at home against the Oilers, giving up 3 goals over the span of 10 minutes in the second period. Had it not been for a miracle (the Ducks scored 3 goals in less than three minutes with Gibson on the bench for the extra attacker to send the game to overtime).
Look at these goals he gave up; it's like he's Swiss Cheese with a bunch of holes in his body.
Just to add icing to the cake, Gibson is tied for first with Ottawa's Craig Anderson for most goals against in the playoffs, giving up 34 goals in 13 starts. He also has the worst goals against average, giving up 2.80 goals per game. Finally, he has the second worst save percentage, and 0 shutouts in all his starts.
In case you want to read a delusion opinion on Gibson from ESPN.com "NHL Expert" Andrew Knoll, here it is. Headlined: "Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson keeps emotions -- and his opposition -- in check," clearly Mr. Knoll and I don't share the same viewpoint.
If I'm miss reading that and "keeping his opposition in check" is getting pulled from two games, and giving up 34 goals in 13 games, then, and only then, will we be on the same page.
Look for Gibson to give up at least 2 goals tonight in Game 3 in Nashville, but I'm expecting the Predators to drop 4 or 5 on him tonight.
If history holds true tonight, Gibson should be pulled out of the game by his coach midway through the second period, just like he has been before.
