Goaltending Is a Sore Spot

Coach Craig Hartsburg continued his campaign for better goaltending, meeting with Guy Hebert and Dominic Roussel before practice Monday.

Hartsburg talked to reporters about the need for sharper performances from Hebert in particular after Saturday’s 4-3 loss to the San Jose Sharks.

Hartsburg believes the other parts of the Ducks’ game, including their beleaguered power play, appear to be coming together as they prepare for the season’s final 33 games.

“I know he’s unhappy,” Hebert said Monday. “But he’s not as unhappy as I am.”

On Dec. 19, after a 3-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, the Ducks were 17-13-4-1 and had given up 74 goals. But in the 15 games since, the Ducks are 3-10-2 and have given up 54 goals.

The shots-against average has remained steady at about 27 a game, down from 32 last season.

The goalies simply haven’t come up with the key saves, according to Hartsburg. Hebert gave up four goals on 22 shots Saturday and three goals on 15 shots Friday in a 3-3 tie against the Colorado Avalanche.

“Over the last 15 games, our goaltending isn’t as good as it should be,” Hartsburg said. “It can be better. We need it to be better. It has to be better. Let’s not kid ourselves.”

Roussel, who was in goal for a 5-0 loss Jan. 17 to the Buffalo Sabres, wasn’t surprised to learn of Hartsburg’s feelings.

“I was thinking the same thing exactly,” Roussel said. “My win-loss record [5-3-2] is good, but my goals-against average [2.98] isn’t good enough.”

Hebert, expected to start Wednesday against the New York Islanders, is 15-20-4 with a 2.34 goals-against average.

“I told [Hartsburg], ‘You’re not any more frustrated than I am,’ ” Hebert said.