In his rookie season Talbot went 12-6-1 with a 1.64 GAA and .941 SV%, making himself one of fantasy's best spot-start options every time he got the nod. On Saturday he will start his sophomore season against a depleted Blue Jackets squad who are coming off of a win Thursday. This early in the season you likely are not looking for a spot-start, but if you are, Talbot would not be a bad one.
The numbers may have suggested that Frederik Andersen would get the start in tonight's season opener, but Gibson is from Whitehall, PA., a suburb located just six miles south of Pittsburgh, so he gets the nod vs. the Penguins. Gibson had a superb late-season run with the Ducks and should be in for a great season. However, both of these young goaltenders are talented and will battle all year long for playing time. For now it is Gibson who starts game 1 of the 82 game marathon.
Head coach Bruce Boudreau declined to name his starting goalie tonight, but Gibson was the first goalie off of the ice so it looks like he will get the start in his hometown of Pittsburgh. He is the NHL's top goalie prospects and is coming off of a strong end of regular season and playoffs with the Ducks last season. He will share the crease with Frederik Andersen this season, but it looks like he will get the first start.
The Blackhawks signed Jonathan Toews to the exact same contract. The deal does not kick in until the 2015-16 season, but the annual cap-hit will be the highest in the league. When Kane and Toews joined the Blackhawks they had not reached the Finals since 1992, but since drafting Kane (first overall) in 2007 they have won two Stanley Cups and reached the Western Conference Final two other times. Kane tallied 29 goals and 40 assists (69 points) in 69 games last season. Kane went on to post 20 points (8G / 12A) in 19 postseason games. Kane has some of the best hands in the NHL and will be one of the first right wingers off of the board this season.
Chiasson, 23, recorded 35 points (13G / 22A) in 79 games for the Stars last season. Chiasson is a big forward at 6-foot-4, 205 lbs. and has shown an ability to score in the NHL. At this point in his career, Chiasson will likely find himself in the Senators top-9 opposed to the top-6.
Head coach Alain Vigneault did not offer an update on Talbot's injury, but did say that David LeNeveu will back up again.
Gibson allowed two goals on 23 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Kings in game 6. Gibson is 2-1 with a 1.67 GAA and .946 SV% in his first three playoff starts. The 20-year-old will make the biggest start of his young NHL career in game 7 tonight. The edge in goal has to go to the Kings, who have veteran Jonathan Quick who is 2-0 with a .969 SV% in two career game 7 starts.
Gibson made 39 saves on 42 shots in the Ducks 4-3 victory over the Kings in game 5. Gibson has yet to lose an NHL start and has won two playoff starts in a row with a 1.50 GAA and .950 SV%. The 20-year-old has staked his claim to the Ducks crease and he will look to continue his winning streak tonight and punch Anaheim's ticket into the Western Conference Finals vs. Chicago.
Gibson stopped all 28 shots that he faced to earn his first playoff win and first playoff shutout in his first ever NHL playoff start. Viewed as the NHL's top goalie prospect, Gibson has done nothing but impress in his first four NHL outings. He has won all four while posting a 0.99 GAA and .965 SV% with two shutouts. THe John Gibson era in Anaheim is officially underway, and the 20-year-old will try and give the Ducks a 3-2 series lead tonight.
Clearly head coach Bruce Boudreau has lost all faith in Jonas Hiller and it is time for the John Gibson era to begin in Anaheim. Gibson is viewed as one of the best goaltending prospects in the NHL and tonight he will make his first playoff start. He was 3-0 with a 1.33 GAA and .954 SV% with the Ducks towards the end of the regular season; along with a 4-2 record, 1.45 GAA and .955 in six AHL playoff starts with the Norfolk Admirals.
Frederik Andersen was injured in Thursday's game 3, so Gibson has been recalled incase Andersen can't play on Saturday. Gibson was an outstanding 3-0-0 with a 1.33 GAA and .954 SV% in three starts with the Ducks towards the end of the season. If Andersen is unable to play, it seems unlikely that the Ducks would go with Gibson over veteran Jonas Hiller, but you never know.
Kane missed the final 12 games of the regular season after suffering a sprained knee. Kane said he felt ‘’pretty good’’ after Monday’s workout. But he acknowledged ‘’we’ll know a little bit more’’ after practicing with the team Tuesday and Wednesday. Even then, until Game 1, the status of Kane’s recovery will be up in the air.
Gibson stopped 36 of 38 shots in a win over the Sharks on Wednesday. Gibson has won each of his first two NHL starts with a 1.00 GAA, .964 SV% and one shutout… Not bad. His strong play has earned him the nod in the Ducks' season finale vs. the Avalanche.
Talbot stopped all 26 shots that he faced in a win over the Oilers on March 30th. He was a spectator in the last five games, but will get the call tonight vs. the Habs. Talbot posted a 22-save shutout in his first career start against Montreal. His 1.67 GAA and .940 SV% on the season make him a great spot start option whenever he's in goal.
Gibson stopped all 18 shots in a 3-0 win over the Canucks in his NHL debut on Monday. Quite the debut for the NHL's top goalie prospect. He will get a second straight start tonight vs. the Sharks. San Jose is 4-4-2 in their last 10 and sit fourth in the West--three points behind Anaheim.
Gibson did not see a ton of action in his NHL debut as the Ducks carried the game to the Canucks. Anaheim's goaltending depth is exceptional, but after recording a shutout in his first start, he might get another shot on Wednesday vs. the Sharks. A more stiff test will allow the Ducks to get a better idea of where Gibson is at in his development.
Gibson will make his NHL debut tonight vs. the Canucks. The 20-year-old is in his first full AHL season and has gone 21-17-4 with a 2.34 GAA and .919 SV%. He was a second-round pick (39th overall) in 2011 and is believed to be one of the beat goaltending prospects in the NHL right now. It will be exciting to see what he can do with his first ever NHL start tonight vs. Vancouver.
It looks like Gibson will make his NHL debut tonight vs. the Canucks. The 20-year-old is in his first full AHL season and has gone 21-17-4 with a 2.34 GAA and .919 SV%. He was a second-round pick (39th overall) in 2011 and is believed to be one of the beat goaltending prospects in the NHL right now. It will be exciting to see what he can do with his first ever NHL start tonight vs. Vancouver.
Kane will miss the rest of the regular season, but if he does get back onto the ice this week, he will have two weeks to get ready for the post-season. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy last season, so he will look to win two in a row this year.
Talbot stopped 24 of 26 shots in a loss to the Wild on March 13th. Tonight, Talbot will make only his second start in March. Henrik Lundqvist is back to his old for which leaves Talbot on the bench most nights. He makes for a nice Sunday spot-start in Edmonton tonight. He has gone 7-3-0 with a 1.55 GAA and .942 SV% on the road this season.
