Ducks add goalie depth behind John Gibson, who is OK after collision
Canadiens goalie Dustin Tokarski makes a save on a penalty shot by the Ducks’ Saku Koivu during a a game on March 5, 2014, at Honda Center.
The Ducks got welcome news on goaltender John Gibson and improved the depth behind him Thursday.
Gibson’s lower-body injury is not considered serious and Coach Bruce Boudreau raised the possibility that the goalie could play Friday. Gibson practiced Thursday after leaving Wednesday’s game when Nazem Kadri of the Toronto Maple Leafs ran into him on a drive to the net.
Gibson has taken over the No.1 role from Frederik Andersen and had given up one goal in three games before Wednesday’s 4-0 loss. He leads the NHL with a 1.75 goals-against average in 16 games.
The Ducks acquired goalie Dustin Tokarski from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for forward Max Friberg in a minor move that could lead to a bigger one. The Ducks could use offensive help and have bargaining chips in No.1 goalies Gibson and Andersen and two other goalies with NHL experience in the minors, Tokarski and Anton Khudobin.
Minor-league backup Matt Hackett has been injured, so Tokarski also addresses depth there. Tokarski has a 2.85 goals-against average in 33 NHL games. He was great story when he briefly took over for injured Carey Price in the 2014 playoffs.
Friberg, who had a five-game stint with the Ducks in November, is scoreless in six NHL games.
DUCKS NEXT UP
VS. ST. LOUIS
When: Friday, 7 p.m.
On the air: TV: Prime; Radio: 830
Update: The Blues are mired in a season-high four-game losing streak, the last two in overtime. Vladimir Tarasenko leads the Blues with 24 goals, eight on the power play. Dating to 2009, the Ducks have won nine in a row against the Blues in Anaheim. They lost at St. Louis, 2-1, on Oct. 29, the defeat dropping their record to 1-7-2.
Go beyond the scoreboard
Get the latest on L.A.'s teams in the daily Sports Report newsletter.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
