When It Comes to Playoffs, Gibson Feels the Red Wings Pain

New Detroit Red Wings goalie John Gibson says he was “spoiled” early in his career when the Anaheim Ducks continually made the playoffs.

“My first five or six years…we were expecting to win the Pacific Division there was no thought to even missing the playoffs,” Gibson said. “It’s eye opening and you look back and being a young player through all that, you always wondered yourself, did you miss an opportunity? Did you take it for granted?”

After four trips to the playoffs with Anaheim, Gibson hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2018. His drought is only two years less than the Red Wings.

“I think it makes you appreciate when you make the playoffs a lot more, being going through a drought like that and hungry to get back,” Gibson said.

But his background makes him the ideal candidate to help the Red Wings escape their ugly playoff slump. He understands what the Red Wings are enduring. He wants to return to the playoffs as much as they do.

“I think everybody’s going into the season with the same goal, and it’s an exciting time to be here,” Gibson said.

According to oddsmakers, the Red Wings are unlikely to make the playoffs, but if they are to have a chance, Gibson might be at the heart of it. His career .911 save percentage, in theory, could create the extra wins they need.

“(Gibson) seems to be rejuvenated and excited, which is a real positive for him and for us,” Detroit coach Todd McLellan said. “But we need all of our goaltending in the organization to step up and give us a little bit more, and we have to work better around that. And I think Gibby can give us that. Gives a sense of confidence and a feeling that if we
make a mistake, he’ll be there for us. But (Cam Talbot) can also do that. So we’re excited about having both of them here.”

Gibson Likes Heavy Workload

Thus far, Gibson likes what he sees within the team.

“I think there’s a really good mix of players,” the Pittsburgh native said. ” You got the skilled forward, smaller guys, you got some big power forwards, you got speed, you got size. I mean, the D, you got skill, size…So I think it’s just about all making sure everyone’s on the same page and playing together.”

In the NHL these days, teams seem committed to keeping goaltenders from making too many starts. But while Gibson would tolerate a tandem setup, he sounds like a goalie who wants the workload of a No. 1

“I train all season, off season, in the summer to make sure I’m in the best shape to play as many games as possible,” Gibson said. “I feel like in the past, when I can kind of get in a groove, is when I’m playing games, but Nothing’s given. You got to earn everything. So just going to come here and play my game, not trying to change anything, and hopefully help the team win as many games as I can.”