It’s no secret the Anaheim Ducks’ tremendous depth is what has propelled them to the Western Conference final this year.
But there’s another sizable reason for the Ducks’ success that Sportsnet analyst and Calgary Sun columnist Eric Francis believes isn’t getting enough credit: Frederik Andersen.
“I think Frederik Andersen is an absolute stud in the National Hockey League,” Francis told Dean Blundell & Co. on Sportsnet 590 The Fan on Monday.
Listen: Eric Francis on Dean Blundell & Co.
While the Danish netminder has had his share of blunders — take Monday night’s game-tying goal, for instance — Francis believes much of the criticism is unwarranted.
“He’s lost three times in the playoffs this year — all in overtime,” he said. “He’s got an 11-3 record, and all anyone wants to talk about is, ‘He’s not good enough.’ “
The second-year goaltender had a 35-12 record during the regular season with a .914 save percentage and 2.38 goals-against average. The post-season has seen even better numbers, .925 and 2.06.
While his numbers are good, what separates Andersen from the competition is his size.
At 6-foot-3 and 236 pounds, Francis says Andersen is “by far the biggest goaltender I’ve ever seen in my life.”
“There’s so many big, tall goalies in the league today, but they’re sticks,” said Francis, citing Vancouver’s Ryan Miller, Nashville’s Pekka Rinne and Tampa Bay’s Ben Bishop.
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Francis suggests it could be Andersen’s dimensions that contribute to his lack of recognition among the league’s elite.
“He makes tougher saves look routine because of just his sheer size,” said Francis. “And because of that, he never has to make spectacular saves, which makes people think, ‘Oh, he never makes any big saves,’ when in fact it’s all about positioning.”
Francis also credits other unsung heroes like Matt Beleskey and Patrick Maroon for the Ducks’ success. It’s this kind of depth, combined with solid performances in the crease, that Francis believes will carry the Ducks to the end.
“They’re going to win the Cup,” he said. “There’s no doubt in my mind.”
