Hebert, Tugnutt Give Ducks a Pleasant Problem

Five games and this much is clear about the Mighty Ducks: Goaltending is not a problem. Passing, scoring, winning? Yes. But goaltending? No.

Guy Hebert, chomping at the bit while watching Ron Tugnutt the past three games, finally got his second start of the season Sunday. Hebert skated in eagerly, hardly missing a beat in a 2-2 tie with the Calgary Flames.

Now, the biggest question facing Coach Ron Wilson is which goalie to start when the Ducks play their first road game Tuesday against the New York Rangers. Wilson’s preseason designation of Hebert and Tugnutt as Nos. 1-A and 1-B has come to pass just as he’d hoped.

“Guy played spectacularly,” Wilson said. “We’ve been saying all along that we have strong goaltending.”

Throw out the opening-night debacle-- a 7-2 loss to Detroit Oct. 8--and the Ducks have limited opponents to an average of 2.5 goals. Strong, tight-checking defense has played a significant role and Hebert was quick to credit his defensemen.

“I can’t remember playing on a team when I had so few chances on power plays,” said Hebert, who played for the St. Louis Blues the past two seasons. “I took a beating (against Detroit), but I still thought I played pretty well. Actually, I felt better the first night.”

He faced 31 shots on Sunday and saved all but two. Toughest to handle was Joe Nieuwendyk’s goal with the Ducks only 19 seconds away from the franchise’s second victory. A tie was disappointing, but certainly better than losing, according to Hebert.

There were no complaints from the Ducks about their goaltending either Sunday or their other four games. What’s not to like?

“That’s a great tandem,” center Terry Yake said. “I have a feeling you’re going to see one good game after another. It’s going to be hard to sit one guy down for any length of time. It’s a lot easier when you start a game knowing you’re going to get good goaltending.”

Hebert couldn’t wait to hit the ice after watching Tugnutt record the first victory and tie in Duck history.

“It’s always good for competition,” he said of platooning with Tugnutt. “A good friendship has developed already. It’s a great situation. This team is going to need two solid goalies for 84 games.”

So who starts against the Rangers?

Wilson isn’t saying. Or perhaps he isn’t sure.

“We’ll wait and see,” he said. “Obviously, there are points in the season when you can’t play a goalie two nights in a row.”

That’s the situation Tuesday and Wednesday when the Ducks play back-to-back games against the Rangers and New Jersey Devils.

“If a goalie plays well or wins, he’ll come right back the next game,” Wilson said.