On a night when the Detroit Red Wings’ performance level displeased coach Todd McLellan, goalie John Gibson gave up two goals. In his first two preseason games, he owns a goals-against average under 2.00.
This is the kind of competitiveness looking for when they traded for Gibson. This was level of competitiveness they didn’t always get in goal last season.
“For the amount of years that teams I’ve been on have been on have competed against him that’s exactly what he is — he’s a competitor,” McLellan said. “There’s a fiery nature to him as well. It may not be pretty, like one of the saves he made here tonight, just getting across and competing.”
In an ugly game, in which the Red Wings managed only 20 shots, Gibson did what he needed to do to keep Detroit in the game. Too often last season, the Red Wings were out of these games early. They could certainly win more games if Gibson can consistently hold opponents to two goals.
“He’s been pretty solid,” McLellan said. “He looks big, he looks confident. You know, he looks excited. I’m not worried about him one bit.”
Because Gibson spent 12 years with the Ducks, this season is a fresh start for the Pittsburgh native.
“Felt pretty good,” Gibson said. “Tonight was a little tough, just scrambling and everything like that, but it’s nice to get out there, obviously, just kind of get used to the building and everything like that, and just trying to get my reps in and doing everything I can to make sure I’m ready to go for the first game.”
Gibson said preseasons for him is simply about getting his reads down.
“Just learning little things, how the guys play…,” Gibson said. “I feel like when I’m on my game, it’s just tracking the puck and kind of seeing the game.”
For the Red Wings to compete for the playoffs, they will likely need Gibson to post a save percentage in the vicinity of the .912 he posted last season for a Ducks team that missed the playoffs.
The Red Wings felt like they knew Gibson before they acquired him.
“Keep in mind, Trent Yawney’s coached him in the minors and then had him in Anaheim for three or four years,” McLellan said. “So he knows his personality well. And every time you talk to him, some guys will over analyze his technique and stuff, and the word that comes out of his mouth, he’s going to compete. He’s going to give you everything he has every night. And,I like that. I like that because it starts on the net and moves out.