Gibson has been Ducks' `lifeline'

NASHVILLE, TENN. » Troy Terry had just finished his post-game TV interview after the Ducks' 2-1 overtime loss to the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night and then continued his media obligations in the corridor outside the team's dressing room at Bridgestone Arena.

Eventually, the topic of Ducks goaltender John Gibson came up in the conversation.

“I feel bad that I didn't even mention him in the first answer,” said Terry, who had the Ducks' only goal.

To be fair, it wasn't as though Terry, 25, had been talking for 10 minutes or so. It was a little more than a minute.

But the exchange actually speaks volumes about Terry, who is adeptly taking on the varied roles and responsibilities of a captain (on a team that has not designated one) and also said plenty about the 29-yearold Gibson in the first two months of a difficult season.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek praised Gibson in an interview earlier in the day with beat reporters. (“I'm not sure what else I can ask of John Gibson,” he said.)

But peer view is equally valid.

“What he's been doing for this team and what is expected of him every night is not always fair to him,” Terry said. “His attitude this year, his work ethic, it's really what has been our lifeline this year.”

This was after yet another 40-plus shots against night for Gibson in Nashville. He is 4-12-2 with a 3.99 goals-against average and an .894 save percentage and has faced the most shots against in the NHL this season (624) in 18 games played. Next is Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (563) in 17 games played. Gibson was under the weather during Thanksgiving week and got banged up in a collision and had to leave the game in the third period on Sunday.

“Night in and night out, he battles for us and gives us a chance,” Terry said. “Having him in the net is really hard to put into words what it means from just an emotional and confidence standpoint.”

Today: Ducks at Stars, 5:30p.m., BSSC

Klingberg still out

The hope had been for defenseman John Klingberg to join the group in Dallas for the Stars-Ducks game on Thursday night. But Klingberg, who played his entire career with the Stars before signing with the Ducks as a free agent in July, has missed the past three games with a lowerbody injury. He is skating back home in Southern California, per a team spokesperson.

There is still a chance Klingberg could meet the Ducks later in the trip. They play Saturday at Minnesota and Sunday in Winnipeg.