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The Anaheim Ducks have put together an impressive record through the first month of the 2013 season, and while first-year goaltender Viktor Fasth may be getting most of the headlines due to his 8-0-0 start, Jonas Hiller reminded everyone that this team has two dangerous goalies with a solid performance Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Hiller got the start Monday despite Fasth having two days’ rest and the better record. The veteran goalie showed no signs of rust despite having not played in 10 days, as he turned aside 25 shots to record his fourth win of the season.
As Fasth closes in on an NHL record for best start to a career by a goaltender, Hiller remains a steady second option for a surging Anaheim team that has only lost in regulation twice.
With the exception of a 5-0 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 25, Hiller has performed well and ensured that the Ducks had a chance to win in each of his starts. It was on the heels of that loss to the Canucks that the Ducks turned to Fasth and discovered one of the top performers of the season so far.
Hiller’s 4-2-1 record is solid, but his other numbers show room for improvement: a 3.43 goals against average and .880 save percentage. The high-scoring Ducks offense has bailed Hiller out a few times, and he needs to work on improving the quality of his starts if he wants to see an increase in the quantity of his starts.
For now, the Ducks appear to have two goalies who can win games for them, which continues to make them one of the most dangerous teams in the Western Conference.
Jonathan Katje is an NHL blogger for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @JKatje or add him to you network on Google.
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