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Ducks going with Gibson in Game 1 against Predators

Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The coin toss came up John Gibson.

The Anaheim Ducks goaltender was first off the ice at Friday's optional skate, and he'll be in the crease in Game 1 against the Nashville Predators on Friday night, head coach Bruce Boudreau confirmed.

Earlier this week, Boudreau joked he'd flip a coin to determine his starter, Gibson or Frederik Andersen. Truth is, Boudreau probably can't go wrong with either. The tandem combined to allow the fewest goals in the NHL, the Ducks capturing the Jennings Trophy on the last night of the regular season.

Gibson started 38 games, posting a .920 save percentage and 2.07 goals-against average. Andersen made 37 starts, and came in at .919 and 2.30. Gibson had four shutouts to Andersen's three.

The Ducks went 1-2 against the Predators this season, but all three games were played early on, before the Ducks took flight and overcame a slow start to win the Pacific Division. Andersen started two of those games, going 1-1 but posting an ugly .904 save percentage.

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