John Gibson has let in a staggering 17 goals across five appearances this season, making the Detroit Red Wings’ goalie situation the loudest thing in the room right now. It’s a rough start, and it’s forcing head coach Todd McLellan to look hard at his options between the pipes.
Gibson’s Struggle vs. Tarasov’s Spark
Gibson’s struggles are undeniable. Just Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils, he gave up five goals on 37 shots in a tough 5-4 overtime loss. Over his five appearances this month, he’s sporting a 1-3-1 record, a dismal .863 save percentage, and a 3.76 goals-against average, with not a single shutout to his name. It’s a tough look for the veteran.
On the flip side, Daniil Tarasov has been the inverse of that. In his two appearances this season, he’s allowed just one goal on 39 shots, making 38 saves. That’s a ridiculous .974 save percentage and a 0.66 goals-against average, complete with a shutout. His record is 0-0-1, but the numbers tell a much different story than Gibson’s. So, the question for McLellan is a simple one: how much more of the schedule goes to the hot hand?
What’s Next for the Net?
Detroit is set to host the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday, October 15. The Red Wings don’t even have a back-to-back on the calendar for the rest of October, meaning every single start Tarasov gets from here on out will be a deliberate decision by McLellan. He’s gotta make it.
Gibson’s contract expires at the end of the 2026-27 season, and it’s fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank. Tarasov, on a one-year, $2 million deal signed back in July, offers a low-cost chance to see if he can be a long-term answer. Last season with the Florida Panthers, Tarasov posted a backup’s line of 13-15-3, with a .895 save percentage and a 3.05 goals-against average in 33 games. Two good nights don’t erase that, but Detroit has little to lose by giving him 30 to 40 games to prove himself. If he improves on those numbers, they’ve got a reason to bring him back. If not, they learned it for $2 million while Trey Augustine and Michal Postava continue developing in Grand Rapids, potentially becoming the future answer anyway.
All eyes will be on McLellan’s lineup card for Thursday’s game against the Flyers. That decision could set the tone for Detroit’s goaltending for the rest of the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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