Anaheim, Calif. – Complex goalie statistics aren’t needed to gauge the success of Ilya Bryzgalov.
For the record, the Mighty Ducks’ rookie leads all NHL playoff netminders in goals-against average and save percentage.
But you don’t need a calculator and a hockey handbook to realize how stingy the Russian has been.
In five games, including four starts and a total of 286 minutes between the pipes, Bryzgalov has allowed just three goals. If he keeps that up throughout the playoffs, he undoubtedly will have a terrific chance to become the second Ducks goalie in three seasons to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Friday night, in Game 1 of Anaheim’s Western Conference semifinal series against the Avalanche, Bryzgalov again started ahead of 2003 playoff hero Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who watched from the bench as his young regular-season backup pitched his second consecutive shutout in a 5-0 win at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.
Bryzgalov, 25, is the first rookie goalie to record back-to-back shutouts in the playoffs since Toronto’s Frank McCool in 1945.
“It’s nothing special,” Bryzgalov said. “Our game was very (good) tonight in the defensive zone. Not much scoring chance, the team played so great.”
Bryzgalov faced just 15 shots through two periods and 29 for the game. He enters Sunday’s Game 2 matinee having allowed just one goal since Calgary beat him 2-1 in overtime in Game 1 of that first-round series.
“(I’m seeing) the puck just like I did in the regular season,” Bryzgalov said. “I’m not doing anything different. Most important is our team won the game.”
Bryzgalov’s teammates see confidence dripping out the goalie’s helmet like sweat.
“He’s proved to us all year in practice how athletic he is, and now he’s got his chance,” forward Todd Fedoruk said. “He’s making the best of it.”
Winger Teemu Selanne said the Ducks are in great shape no matter which goalie is used.
“Every time either one has played they have really given us a chance to win the game, and that’s what this team is really proud of,” Selanne said.
Overall, Selanne said he was proud of how his team played after ending what he said was the most physical series he’s played Wednesday at Calgary.
“I was very proud to see how the guys came out, and (be) so hungry and anxious to show that we can play well again,” he said. “But this is just the first game and we have to move on.”
Mike Chambers can be reached at 303-820-5453 or mchambers@denverpost.com.
