Hebert Has More Confidence and Consistency

After sitting out Friday’s 3-1 loss to the Nashville Predators, goaltender Guy Hebert is expected to make his 19th start of the season today against the Carolina Hurricanes.

More work has been good for Hebert so far this season, although he struggled a bit in a 5-2 loss Wednesday to the Detroit Red Wings. Then again, the Red Wings have made better teams than the Ducks look bad.

Hebert is 8-6-4 emerging as the Ducks’ No. 1 goalie after a difficult 1997-98 season ended with surgery on his right shoulder. After 18 starts, there’s little question that Hebert’s game is as sound as his shoulder.

“He’s got some good consistency going right now,” goalie consultant Francois Allaire said. “It’s tough to compare with last year because everything was so difficult last year. He’s got a lot of confidence and he’s technically sound right now. He doesn’t make mistakes in the games.”

It has also helped Hebert that the Ducks have played better defense than anyone might have imagined after they gave up 261 goals, the third-highest total in the NHL last season.

“Here, we don’t have a history of cutting down on the shots,” Allaire said. “[Hebert] is used to that. We’re trying to play defense better and cut down on the mistakes in our zone.”

Allaire has been impressed by the communication between Hebert and the Duck defensemen, who have agreed that the goalie should stop the shots and the defensemen should clear the rebounds.

Last season, the Ducks gave up a string of goals when communication between Hebert and the defensemen was poor.

“Remember, at the beginning of last year we were playing well, but we couldn’t win,” Allaire said. “Mentally, it’s tough. [Recently], the team is giving [Hebert] enough offensive support to win. The atmosphere is good. Everybody is happy.”

Allaire took one look at Hebert during training camp and figured a turnaround was possible after the last original Duck finished 1997-98 with a 13-24-6 record.

“I had a good feeling when I saw him,” Allaire said. “I knew he was ready. He doesn’t make the spectacular saves. He’s just stopping the puck. It’s really simple.”

TODAY at Carolina

2 PST

* Site--Greensboro Coliseum.

* Radio--XTRA (690).

* Records--Ducks 8-9-4, Hurricanes 10-10-3.

* Record vs. Hurricanes--1-0.

* Update--Carolina’s Ray Sheppard had at least one goal in six consecutive games, but his streak ended in the Hurricanes’ 3-1 victory Saturday over the New York Islanders. Goalie Trevor Kidd, who made 21 saves against the Islanders, is expected to yield to Arturs Irbe today.