The Puck Stops Here

The Anaheim Ducks have the best two goalie system in the NHL. Despite the fact Jean Sebastien Giguere deserved a spot in this season's All Star Game and has a Conn Smythe victory in 2003, the Ducks went with the hot goalie Ilya Bryzgalov at the beginning of their Minnesota series. Bryzgalov played very well and has a history of good playoff goaltending. As soon as Bryzgalov got into trouble, allowing four goals in the game three loss to Minnesota, Giguere got put back into the Anaheim goal. Since then, Giguere has manned the Anaheim goal and played very well. He has a 0.93 GAA and a .966 saves percentage in the playoffs so far. Both of those numbers lead the league among goalies with any significant time played (ie not including Jocelyn Thibault of Pittsburgh who only faced one shot).

Giguere is a very good goalie who can steal a game or two for Anaheim in any series. He is not as good as his opponent Roberto Luongo of Vancouver over the longterm, but a best of seven series is not longterm. As long as he keeps the goaltending difference close, Anaheim will likely have an advantage due to their better offence and their two Norris calibre defencemen.