January 12, 2025: Lukas Dostal vs Carolina Hurricanes

January 12, 2025: Lukas Dostal vs Carolina Hurricanes
  • 9/10
    Positioning - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Rebound Control - 9/10
  • 10/10
    Puck Handling - 10/10
  • 10/10
    Athleticism - 10/10
  • 8/10
    Size and Reach - 8/10
  • 9/10
    Focus and Composure - 9/10
  • 9/10
    Consistency - 9/10
  • 10/10
    Key Saves - 10/10
  • 10/10
    Communication - 10/10
  • 9.4/10
    Save Percentage (SV%) - 9.4/10
9.3/10

Summary

Absolutely rock solid (or hard) in net against a very tough team in the Carolina Hurricanes. A massive win for the Ducks after the absolute blowout against one of the worst teams in the league (Philly)

Oh, Lukas Dostal. The man, the myth, the absolute chaos muppet of the Anaheim Ducks crease. If there’s one thing we can count on this season, it’s that Dostal will either leave you in awe or contemplating the fragility of your mental health as a hockey fan. In today’s thriller against the Carolina Hurricanes, he gave us both.

First Period: The Poke Check Heard ‘Round the Rink

The Hurricanes rolled into Honda Center looking like they were ready to steamroll a very fragile Ducks team. But Dostal wasn’t having any of it.

  • Wide Open Blocker Save: This wasn’t just a save. It was a declaration of war. Picture Eric Robinson coming in like he’s auditioning for Fast & Furious: Zamboni Drift, and Dostal casually shutting him down with a blocker save so disrespectful it probably sent Robinson into existential crisis.
  • The Poke Check: A chef’s kiss moment of pure chaos. Eric Robinson tries again (bless his persistent heart) and gets absolutely clowned by Dostal, who executed a poke check that screamed, “Not today, Satan!”

Second Period: Breakaway Stop, and Some Gibson Gossip

Carolina turned up the heat in the second, but Dostal was on one. With 7:05 left in the frame, he stopped Eric Robinson (yes, him again) on a breakaway. By this point, Robinson probably started questioning all of his life choices.

And while Dostal was putting on a clinic, John Gibson was busy dissecting plays like a hockey forensic analyst on the bench. Rumor has it he’s got takes on left defense that’ll scorch the ice, but for now, let’s just call it “Gibson’s TED Talk on How to Hockey.”

Third Period: The “Oh, Come On” Period

This is where things got very Ducks. Dostal and the crew managed to hang onto a slim 2-1 lead until the final 60 seconds, where the wheels officially fell off.

  • Goalie Interference Drama: The Ducks challenged a goal for goalie interference, and guess what? It actually worked. The refs overturned it! For a brief, fleeting moment, we believed justice was possible in hockey.
  • Carolina’s Equalizer: But, because the Ducks are contractually obligated to induce stress, the Canes scored anyway. Necas set up Jarvis in the low slot, and the wrister went glove side because, apparently, life isn’t fair.

The Final Tally

Dostal finished with 35 saves on 37 shots. Sure, the Ducks lost in overtime, but Dostal’s performance was an absolute masterpiece—equal parts art and chaos. The kid stood tall, made the Hurricanes sweat, and reminded everyone why he’s got future franchise goalie vibes.

If this is what Dostal can do behind a defense that sometimes looks like they’re playing “the floor is lava,” imagine what he’ll do with some actual help. Stay tuned, Ducks fans. The Goaltender’s Union has found its new prince of panic and promise.

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