Red Wings Gibson Seeks to Low-Key His Return to Anaheim

Old home week continues for the Detroit Red Wings goalies on Friday in Anaheim.

Thursday, Cam Talbot faced one of his many former teams as the Red Wings were in Los Angeles to play the Kings.

Now, John Gibson is about to find out if it’s true that you can never go home again.

Friday, he’s getting the starting nod as the Red Wings visit the Honda Center to face the Ducks. Anaheim is where Gibson spent his first 12 NHL seasons, playing 506 games for the Ducks. Detroit acquired him in a trade during the offseason.

Troy Terry on facing John Gibson as an NHL opponent for the first time:

“It'll be weird. I won't lie to you… I just hope he doesn't come after any of us, because I know he's prone to do it.”@SportingTrib | #FlyTogether https://t.co/XqIs4Dyk1K

— Zach Cavanagh (@ZachCav) October 30, 2025

If Gibson is nervous about his impending homecoming, he’s hiding it well.

“I mean, it’ll be fun, ” Gibson said. “But I’m a pretty laid-back, easy-going guy, so I want to go in and get the win, and that’s my focus.”

Red Wings Gibson Finds His Game

There was panic among the fanbase when Gibson was lit up in the season-opening 5-1 loss to Montreal, ultimately getting the hook from the game.

Since then, he’s looked a lot more like the netminder who’s been a three-time NHL All-Star Game selection. Gibson is 4-1 with a 2.59 goals-against average and a .908 save percentage.

“He’s a gamer when it’s time,” Red Wings coach Todd McLellan said. “He plays.

“There’s not a lot of panic back there. You can tell when he puts the equipment on. He’s done this before, been there, done that. And he’s made some real good saves in tight with a lot of the scrambles.”

Gibson was confident that he hadn’t forgotten how to stop pucks.

John Gibson:

1st game: 8/13 and pulled
2nd game: 31/32 and a huge OT win

Big time bounce back 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YflJfstDdi

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) October 18, 2025

“I didn’t have a really good first game, and it was unfortunate timing-wise,” Gibson said. “But it’s a long season, and it’s good just to get back to playing my game.

“I kind of pride myself on when you have a bad one, you got to follow it up with a good one. So I’ve tried to do that.”