PLAYOFF PRIME: IS GIBSON FOR REAL? primepucks.com Sun 5/11/14 6:03 PM

Coming off a huge, possibly series-saving shutout win over the Kings in Game 4, rookie John Gibson will be starting for Anaheim on Monday. The fantasy alarms are sounding already as the 20-year old has shown tremendous poise and ability in his limited stint so far and looks poised to keep the Duck's starting goalie job if the Ducks can get by the Kings in Round 2. Fellow first-year goaltender Federik Andersen is currently injured, but has been rather weak in the postseason with a 3-2 mark, 3.10 GAA and a .899 SP. This is a far cry from from his awesome regular season numbers- 20-5, 2.29 GAA, and .923 SP. It seems apparent that maybe the playoffs are too grand of a stage so early in Andersen's career, but Gibson looks prime to grab the "bulls by the horns" and continue his success in their upcoming games. With Anaheim coach Bruce Boudreau selecting to go with a "gut feeling" over experience, it seems that veteran Jonas Hiller's days with the Ducks could be numbered. An exceptional fantasy option when "on his game", the Swiss goalie has endured health issues with vertigo that has curtailed his playing time, and now is dealing with a late-season swoon that has carried into the playoffs. So much so that coach Boudreau has opted to go with two rookies in two different occasions, first with Andersen during the entire entire Dallas series and now with Gibson as the Ducks were facing a possible 3-0 deficit. Surprisingly, the veteran has posted fine numbers in his five playoff appearances, going 2-2 with a 1.98 GAA and a .918 SP., so the decision to go with Gibson was initially a curious one. However after his 28-save shutout gem, Hiller should continue to fall further out of favor and looks destined to sign with another team as a pending UFA in the summer. As for the Anaheim starting job in '14-15, fantasy owners can expect an intense competition between Andersen and Gibson, but the former has shown consistent play over a larger sample size while the jury is still out on whether Gibson can sustain his high level of play. Based on his amazing success with Team USA at the world championship level and with AHL affiliate Norfolk during their postseason run, the young American looks to epitomize the definition of "clutch" with his cool play in big moments. With Hiller probably out of town next season, Gibson should at least be considered a legitimate fantasy sleeper who can be the starting goalie of one of the NHL's elite teams. This can't be overlooked, but fantasy owners should pay special attention to how he handles the rest of his playoff run because his immediate fantasy value will be banking on it.