Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal may very well go down in history as one of the greatest members of the franchise. Since being called up from the American Hockey League (AHL) in the 2021-22 season, he has continued to show time and time again that he is a critical part of the Ducks and, arguably, the undisputed MVP this season – and perhaps of all time.
Dostal’s Stats
With long-time Ducks goaltender John Gibson being in and out of the lineup with injuries and failing to perform as well as he once did, Dostal has had to step up in a big way over the past two seasons. It was evident that he was on track to be the heir to Gibson’s throne, but his takeover has started more quickly than expected. He has started 38 games already this season (playing in 42 total), which ties last season’s number of starts, with still more to go. He boasts a 20-17-5 record – nothing mind-blowing – but a respectable record on a team with a struggling blue line. Dostal has shown impressive improvement as he’s had more ice time this season and now has a career-high save percentage (SV%) of .911.
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The Ducks knew he would be a solid, reliable goaltender after his time with their AHL affiliate, the San Diego Gulls. He averaged a .914 SV% over his three seasons with the team and impressed the organization right out of the gate by winning his first five games. He debuted with the Ducks during the COVID-19 bubble hockey era and helped them take a 4-3 shootout win over the Detroit Red Wings. In that game, he set a franchise rookie record for most saves by a Ducks goaltender in their NHL debut.
Dostal Stuns on the Ice
Perhaps the moment that solidified Dostal as one of the Ducks’ greatest players was his game against the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2023-24 season. Though the team ultimately lost in overtime, Dostal made an astounding 55 saves, creating a new franchise record (from ‘Lukas Dostal delivers career-high 55 saves, but Ducks fall to Maple Leafs in overtime’, LA Times, Jan. 3, 2024). The Toronto Sun infamously recapped that game, dubbing Dostal a “no-name goalie”, prompting a rallying cry of sorts from Ducks’ fans: “His name is Lukas Dostal!” (from ‘Matthews saves the day in OT after no-name goalie vexes Maple Leafs, Toronto Sun, Jan. 4, 2024). Later that season, he set another franchise record for most saves in a win – 52 against the New Jersey Devils. His first NHL shutout came against the Chicago Blackhawks and helped the Ducks snap a seven-game losing streak.
Dostal plays a highly athletic game, using his whole body to make saves. He is very technical, relying on his body positioning – his glove, specifically, which he tends to keep medium-high. He quickly seals up any holes in his stature, particularly the five-hole, by dropping into his butterfly with remarkable speed. His puck-tracking ability is elite, and he quickly reacts to every movement of the puck, allowing him to make those quick, impressive saves he is known for. Perhaps what makes Dostal stand out the most among goalies and where he differs from Gibson is his competency with his stick. He is one of the top goaltenders in the league when it comes to stick handling and playing the puck off his stick. He is not afraid to get the puck out of his crease or even take shots at the opposing team’s net.
Head coach Greg Cronin has described Dostal as “dialed in and focused”, which is evident each time he is on the ice. With Dostal being just 24 years old, he still has plenty of time to develop his game even further, which could really solidify him as the best of the best.
Lukas Dostal’s Future with the Anaheim Ducks
While it is highly unlikely that the Ducks will make a playoff push this season, they are not far off with the team they have built, and could find themselves in the postseason in just another year or two. A goaltender like Dostal will be an integral part of any postseason success they have. If the Ducks’ defense can step up in a big way, helping to alleviate some of the burden Dostal often faces in regard to shots against, he could become an even more elite goaltender and add more games to his win column.
Overall, the Ducks could not do it without him – and hopefully, they won’t have to. His contract expires at the end of the 2024-25 season, and since he has more than proven himself, it seems likely that he will sign with the team once again. Dostal will be a key part of the Ducks’ future and part of the young, reliable core that the team seems to be building. He is another member of the team inspiring fans – because although things have been dim lately, the future is increasingly bright.
