Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal still learning the NHL ropes
There are at least three teachers contributing to the continuing education of rookie goaltender Lukas Dostal: Sudarshan Maharaj, the Ducks’ goaltending coach; Jeff Glass, goaltending coach for AHL San Diego; and Ducks goalie John Gibson.
The third member of the trio, Gibson, a veteran of 422 games played in the NHL, came into focus last month when he served as a sounding board in the dressing room for the youngster after Dostal gave up seven goals in a loss to Buffalo on Feb. 15.
“We just talked about it,” said Dostal. “It’s a big thing for me – he’s been in the league for so long already. Any advice he can give me or when I can talk to him, I really appreciate it because I’m still a young goalie trying to get experience every single day.
“We can just talk or chat or whatever. Some advice he wants to share with me. I’m always open-minded and welcome it. It’s just a really really good thing. I just have to just trust the process. That’s what Jeff (Glass) in San Diego and Sudsie are saying all the time because, like I said, I’m still a young goalie.”
Dostal, 22, is seven years younger than Gibson and Ducks No. 2 goalie, Anthony Stolarz, who is out week to week with a lower-body injury. Gibson’s first postseason games were in 2014 when he was only 20 – and his playoff debut was a shutout against the Kings in Game 4 of the Western Conference second round.
Dostal was talking about Gibson’s assistance earlier in this week just before the Ducks left on their current three-game trip. Gibson played and lost 5-2 on Tuesday in Seattle, and Dostal got the start Wednesday in Vancouver in a 3-2 overtime loss.
There was the good and bad and plenty in between in Vancouver. Dostal misplayed the puck in the play leading to J.T. Miller’s shorthanded goal in the first period, but he was sharp late in regulation and got the Ducks to overtime. This season, he is 3-5-2 with a 3.90 goals-against average and .898 save percentage and has a win, a loss in regulation and a loss in overtime since the Sabres game.
The Ducks may be playing out the string – there are 17 games remaining – but there are plenty of players, young and old, with something on the line the last few weeks of the regular season.
“I feel very sorry for what happened to (Stolarz),” Dostal said. “You always hate to see something happen to good people. It’s a competition but at the same time we’re human beings. He’s an unbelievable guy.
“I don’t want to call it ‘opportunity,’ but I have time to spend here. It’s a great opportunity for me to gain experience and just be around the guys and learn as much as possible for upcoming years.”
Ducks at Calgary
When: 6 p.m. Friday
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary
TV: Bally Sports SoCal