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...

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...

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.

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.

Even when you lose you win in the modern NHL as the Detroit Red Wings gained the valuable point from the shootout loss to the Penguins to clinch their 23rd consecutive playoff appearance. A few weeks ago it didn't look promising for a team who had been hit by injuries to their top players, but the up-and-coming young guns in Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar added speed and offensive support when the going got tough. These two should be on your fantasy radar for next season...... Pittsburgh has also been hit hard by the injury bug this season but when you have a healthy Sidney Crosby in your lineup day-in and day-out, the Pens were able to overcome a lot of it. Just ask James Neal who has missed some time this season but scored twice on the power play last night. The Pens are starting to get healthy just in time for the playoffs as Paul Martin returned to the lineup last week and Kris Letang got back in the lineup last night after a lengthy stint on the IR; both figuring in the Penguin scoring. Kudos to the Pitt d-men on their return.... Chicago is another team who has been without their top two superstars the past few games but that hasn't derailed the Blackhawks from continuing to win. Patrick Sharp was the star in last night's game with the game-winning goal and assisting on the tying goal. Sharp is perhaps the most underrated player in the NHL as he is a consistent 30-goal scorer for the last 3 full regular seasons.  Don't forget him come draft day...... Congratulations to the Columbus Blue Jackets who have qualified for the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history. Sergei Bobrovsky has shown why he won the Vezina Trophy last season as he has draped the Jackets on his shoulders and has carried the team since April 1st...... It looks like the last playoff position in the Western Conference just may come down to Sunday night's showdown between the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars. The Stars lead the Coyotes by 2 points in the standings but Phoenix has a game in hand and 3 left to play while the Stars have 2 remaining.  Now that will be some game to watch. Karri Ramo continued his hot play in net for the Calgary Flames, winning for the 6th time in his past 9 starts. Ramo turned aside 41 of 44 SOG and raised his record to 17-13-4 with a 2.54 GAA and .915 SP.  Ramo should be a solid 2nd starter in fantasy leagues next season as the Flames will improve in the standings..... Anaheim is back atop the Western Conference as they defeated the San ...

Even when you lose you win in the modern NHL as the Detroit Red Wings gained the valuable point from the shootout loss to the Penguins to clinch their 23rd consecutive playoff appearance. A few weeks ago it didn't look promising for a team who had been hit by injuries to their top players, but the up-and-coming young guns in Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar added speed and offensive support when the going got tough. These two should be on your fantasy radar for next season...... Pittsburgh has also been hit hard by the injury bug this season but when you have a healthy Sidney Crosby in your lineup day-in and day-out, the Pens were able to overcome a lot of it. Just ask James Neal who has missed some time this season but scored twice on the power play last night. The Pens are starting to get healthy just in time for the playoffs as Paul Martin returned to the lineup last week and Kris Letang got back in the lineup last night after a lengthy stint on the IR; both figuring in the Penguin scoring. Kudos to the Pitt d-men on their return.... Chicago is another team who has been without their top two superstars the past few games but that hasn't derailed the Blackhawks from continuing to win. Patrick Sharp was the star in last night's game with the game-winning goal and assisting on the tying goal. Sharp is perhaps the most underrated player in the NHL as he is a consistent 30-goal scorer for the last 3 full regular seasons.  Don't forget him come draft day...... Congratulations to the Columbus Blue Jackets who have qualified for the playoffs for just the second time in franchise history. Sergei Bobrovsky has shown why he won the Vezina Trophy last season as he has draped the Jackets on his shoulders and has carried the team since April 1st...... It looks like the last playoff position in the Western Conference just may come down to Sunday night's showdown between the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars. The Stars lead the Coyotes by 2 points in the standings but Phoenix has a game in hand and 3 left to play while the Stars have 2 remaining.  Now that will be some game to watch. Karri Ramo continued his hot play in net for the Calgary Flames, winning for the 6th time in his past 9 starts. Ramo turned aside 41 of 44 SOG and raised his record to 17-13-4 with a 2.54 GAA and .915 SP.  Ramo should be a solid 2nd starter in fantasy leagues next season as the Flames will improve in the standings..... Anaheim is back atop the Western Conference as they defeated the San ...

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.

Three games in the NHL last night. All three won by shutout.  All three won by the visiting team.   Two shutouts were by a score of 1-0.  Two rookie goaltenders made their NHL debut, one winning 3-0 while the other lost 1-0. In the final week of the regular season, most poolies pray for shutouts as in most leagues, they carry the most weight. Ilya Bryzgalov has been trying to find a home ever since last season's somewhat disastrous season in Philly. Bought out in the pre-season, "Breeze" landed with the Oilers briefly before shipped out to Minnesota where he has seemed to have found his game.  He blanked the Winnipeg Jets last night by stopping all 24 shots on goal to raise his record to 6-0-3.  The Jets started rookie Michael Hutchinson, who fared well in his debut facing only 17 SOG. With the Wild having injury prone starters in Backstrom & Harding, and with rookie Kuemper showing signs of inconsistency usually found in rookie net minders, the Wild just may have found their goaltender for next season. Karri Ramo and the Calgary Flames' 1-0 shutout of the New Jersey Devils dashed their hopes of making the playoffs.  The Devils desperately needed to win not only last night, but possibly all four of their remaining games to have a good shot at making the dance.  Flames D Mark Giordano put the dagger in with a power play goal just 23 seconds into the 3rd period and then Ramo turned aside the barrage of attacks from the Devils. Ever since his return from injury, Ramo has gone 5-3-0 and looks to be a solid #2 goalie heading into next season. Giordano has 46 points (career high) in 61 games played finally living up to the potential most poolies have sought for the last few years.  You should expect similar production from the 7-year veteran over the next few years. As if the Anaheim Ducks weren't deep enough in goaltending, rookie John Gibson took the NHL stage and backstopped the Ducks to a 3-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, turning aside all 18 SOG. Those in dynasty keeper leagues could o themselves a world of good by stashing this brilliant young net minder on their farm team as he is still a few years away.  The Ducks will probably go with Frederik Andersen next year, letting Hiller walk as a free agent, especially since they traded Viktor Fasth away at the trade deadline..