Panthers’ 52 shots not enough to win
Ducks goaltender Gibson records 50 saves in 3-2 victory.
Of all the
ANAHEIM, CALIF. — ways to win a hockey game, this wasn’t Anaheim’s favorite.
John Gibson stopped 50 shots and the Ducks held on to beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 for their fifirst winning streak in three weeks. The Ducks were outshot 52-28, but Gibson was able to make goals from Josh Manson, Rickard Rakell and Brandon Montour stand.
“He saved our butts ,” Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said.
Gibson was one save shy of tying his own franchise record, which he shares with Jonas Hiller.
“We got a stellar performance from our goaltender, simple as that,” Carlyle said.
Florida fell to a disappointing 7-11-2, with only 16 points in 20 games.
“Same story, different night,” Panthers coach Bob Boughner said. “We threw everything we had at them.”
Anaheim had not won consecutive games since Oct. 28 and 29.
After the Ducks took a 2-0 lead, Florida — shut out Saturday by the Los Angeles Kings — fifinally snapped its scoreless streak in the second period on a power play. Vincent Trocheck’s wrist shot went top shelf for his ninth goal.
That was all the off ff ff ff ff ff en se the Panthers could manage despite their barrage on Gibson until Keith Yandle scored with a slap shot 17:01 into the third period to make it 3-2.
Gibson did the rest, if not exactly by Anaheim’s design.
“We didn’t have a very good outing from a standpoint of managing the puck,” Carlyle said. “To tax our goaltender to the level we did tonight is unfair to him.” Gibson shrugged it all offffffffffff. “You don’t have a choice,” Gibson said. “When you come into the game and you might get 10, you might get 50. You have to be ready to play the game.”
Gibson was put under additional stress because the Panthers had six power plays, though they cashed in on just one.
Florida defenseman Aaron Ekblad matched a career high with nine shots on goal.
“We’re running into hot goalies,” Yandle said. “We’re getting opportunities. It comes down to a couple of bounces.
“I thought our effffffffffffort was great and we played hard, but it’s never fun losing.”