The Detroit Red Wings have long been suffering from goaltending woes. That issues played a major role in the team missing out on the playoffs every year since 2017. This was a far cry from what Red Wings fans are used to, as they made the playoffs consecutively from 1991 until 2016. After falling short of a playoff spot in the last two years, the Red Wings decided it was time to make a big splash for a goaltender.
Enter John Gibson.
It was a rough start for the season for Gibson. In November alone, Gibson didn't log a single victory in six starts. But he has gotten better, especially in January. Gibson is looking like the goalie they've dreamed of, as he's not only providing consistency in net, but also being dominant.
Former Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood recently spoke with NHL.com's Nicholas Cotsonika, and heaped praise onto Gibson, saying that he was brought in to help the team make the playoffs, and that with his recent strong play, he's looking more comfortable in net.
Chris Osgood believes John Gibson will help Red Wings finally cruise back into the playoffs
“He was brought in to, not save the team, but give them an opportunity to make the playoffs, so that’s a different kind of pressure than he’s felt over the last few years,” said Osgood. “I think once he got over all that and wrapped his head around what’s expected of him, now he’s been on a roll. He looks comfortable now.”
Osgood knows what it's like to succeed in Detroit. He has three Stanley Cup titles to his credit since making his debut in the 1993-94 season until his retirement after the 2010-11 season. He thinks Gibson is bringing the team into the right direction after nearly a decade without making the playoffs.
As mentioned earlier, Gibson had a roughs start to the season, especially in November. Gibson went 0-4-1 with a 3.91 goals allowed average and a .853 save percentage. But once December arrived, Gibson really turned things around for the better.
In 10 starts in December, Gibson recorded a 9-1-0 record, a 2.21 goals allowed average, and a .925 save percentage. Things have only gotten better in January, as he owns a 6-1-0 record, a 1.99 goals allowed average, and a .928 save percentage.
It seems all Gibson needed to do was to play more games and get more familiar with his defense. Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan said that he's taken on more of a leadership role.
“His chest is sticking out,” McLellan said, h/t Cotsonika. “He feels better. I notice it the most during the games, TV timeouts, when he comes to the bench, and he kind of takes charge. ‘Hey, D-men, be aware of this. If I get it here, this is what I’m thinking. They’re looking backside.’ Just his interaction … around the players has gone up immensely. He’s now got leadership qualities too that took a little while to come to fruition, but it’s happening.”
With the Eastern Conference playoff picture picking out some of the pretenders, the Red Wings are in a good spot to make it back in. Gibson is on a roll and doesn't look to be slowing down any time soon. If he does keep it up, he can become a Detroit legend if the Wings end their drought. Let's nto forget, Gibson is under contract for another year. If he does play at a high level, it wouldn't be shocking if Detroit re-signs him to a contract extension.