Gibson stopped 30 of 31 shots in the Ducks win in Edmonton last Saturday. Gibson started the year strong and is finishing strong, winning three in a row and seven of his last eight while posting a 2.50 GAA and .925 SV%. The Ducks did him no justice this season but Gibson has won at least 25 games in three straight seasons now and should be a top goalie target heading into 2019-20.
Arvidsson missed Monday’s practice and skated on the “fifth line” in Tuesday’s morning skate, so don’t expect him to play Tuesday in Anaheim. Luckily for he Predators, Filip Forsberg is expected to draw back into the lineup for Arvidsson.
Larkin has missed the last three games with a neck issue and will likely miss at least one more week. With Larkin out, Andreas Athanasiou will continue to centre the Red Wings top line.
Gibson allowed five goals on 33 shots in the Ducks loss to the Blues on Wednesday. Gibson has gone 1-2-0 with a 2.71 GAA and .913 SV% in three starts since returning to the Ducks crease. Tonight he faces a Canadiens team that has lost eight of their last 13 games (5-7-1) and come in on the tail-end of a back-to-back.
Larkin will sit out Thursday’s game vs. the Rangers with a lingering back issue. Larkin is day-to-day and is questionable heading into their weekend back-to-back in Florida. Andreas Athansiou, Luke Glendening and Frans Nielsen will serve as the team’s top-3 centres with Larkin out.
Gibson allowed one goal on 26 shots in the Ducks win over the Avalanche on Sunday. Gibson has played solidly since returning from injury, stopping 56 of he 59 shots (.949 SV%) that he has faced in two games. He draws a tough assignment on Wednesday with St. Louis in town—the Blues are 13-3-1 in their last 17 games.
Dries was a healthy scratch in Anaheim on Sunday but will replace Gabriel Bourque on Tuesday. Dries has averaged just 9:06 TOI/gm this season, scoring three goals with three assists (six points) in 39 games.
