MIGHTY DUCK NOTEBOOK / ROBYN NORWOOD : Collapse of Defense Hurts Goalies’ Numbers

Guy Hebert knows better than to check his statistics daily.

Before his 43-save performance in a 2-0 loss to Edmonton on Sunday afternoon, his goals-against average was a bloated 4.79, third-worst in the NHL.

The collapse of the Mighty Ducks’ defense has left Hebert and Mikhail Shtalenkov trying to fend off a barrage of shots, and there’s only so much a goalie can do.

“They’ve had to make incredible saves,” winger Peter Douris said. “Of all the things you could say about our team, you don’t hear anybody saying our goaltending isn’t good.”

Hebert and Ron Tugnutt were prepared to face this last season. Instead, a disciplined defense helped the Ducks finish as one of only eight NHL teams with goals-against averages under 3.00 and save percentages over .900.

“It’s kind of like reverse order,” Hebert said. “This is exactly what we thought would happen last year. What’s important this year is how many wins we get. Let the numbers fall where they may. I think Tugger and I said that all last year, and Mike too.

“Neither of us, me or Mike, ever feels the goals-against average is a reflection of what we do. When it’s good, it’s a result of our team defense going down to block shots, playing the trap.”

Coach Ron Wilson has been alternating goalies, but went with Hebert out of turn Sunday on a gut feeling that paid off.

“It’s difficult for our goaltenders,” Wilson said. “They’re facing a lot of quality shots and it forces them to back into the net because they don’t trust the defense. It’s not a reflection of the goaltenders’ play; it’s a reflection of the people playing in front of them.”

*

Paul Kariya’s sore back isn’t chronic. In fact, he said he has never had anything more than “very minor” injuries in his career.

The pain is on his spine in his mid-to-upper back, and though he will undergo X-rays today, the team hopes he is merely suffering from back spasms or a bruise and that the upcoming four days off will resolve it.

*

Defenseman Tom Kurvers was acquired to bolster the power play, but the power play has been terrible and he is struggling defensively. He has scored three goals, but has a plus-minus rating of minus eight.

“The first four games he was fine,” said Wilson, who has resisted the temptation to scratch some veteran defensemen. “Just the last four or five he’s found himself in a rut. We’ve done some talking. I’d like to see Tommy get a little desperate in his play. It’s not exactly that he’s too comfortable, maybe he’s sort of frozen. He’s thinking so much that he’s overanalyzed his own play. He’s frozen by the activity in his brain.”