Ducks' Gibson will return before end of season

Barring a setback, John Gibson will check back into the Anaheim Ducks' goal before the season expires.

Ducks coach Randy Carlyle said Thursday that his No. 1 starter will return from his lower-body injury at some point over the final nine games on the regular-season schedule.

Veteran backup Jonathan Bernier has been superb with Gibson shelved. He's fashioned a 7-1-1 record with a 1.64 goals-against average and .948 save percentage in nine March starts.

The four-time defending Pacific Division champions have pulled to within two points of the first-place San Jose Sharks with 15 points from their last 10 games.