Giguere Still No. 1 in Net

There is not, repeat not, a goaltender controversy brewing with the Mighty Ducks.

Coach Mike Babcock made that clear again Wednesday. The problem for him is that Martin Gerber’s play keeps dropping more questions at Babcock’s feet. Jean-Sebastien Giguere may have the Conn Smythe Trophy, but Gerber is getting the playing time.

Gerber had his fourth consecutive solid game, a 23-save performance in a 4-2 victory over Washington on Wednesday.

“We all know Jiggy is the guy, but Gerbs is on a roll,” Babcock said. “When Jiggy is on a roll, he plays. That’s up to him a little bit.”

Still, it’s tough to get on a roll while sitting on the bench. Giguere has not played since last Friday’s 5-2 loss to Buffalo.

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The Ducks had one power play in Wednesday’s victory. The Capitals had seven, converting on their last one when Dainius Zubrus slipped a shot past Gerber on the post 16:58 into the third period.

Babcock sidestepped commenting on the disparity.

“How come?” Babcock asked, then walked away, saying over his shoulder, “It’s the National League.”

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The Ducks won the first two games of their six-game trip despite having trouble scoring in an open net. Jason Krog missed two chances in a 3-1 victory over the New York Rangers on Tuesday. Rob Niedermayer missed two tries Wednesday.

“That’s better than what we were having before, with the other team burying it in our open net,” Babcock said.