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Ducks go with Hiller in Game 1 vs. Kings

Anaheim Ducks v Dallas Stars - Game Six

in the second period during Game Six of the First Round of the 2014 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on April 27, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Ronald Martinez

Maybe it came after much deliberation or perhaps Bruce Boudreau was just putting up a smokescreen, but either way, it appears that Jonas Hiller will be the Anaheim Ducks’ starter on Saturday as they face the Los Angeles Kings in Game 1 of their second-round series.

Hiller, 32, took over for Frederik Andersen in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars. He stopped all of the 12 shots he faced in a relief appearance that ended up being a come-from-behind win that ended that first-round series in overtime.

It’s been an up-and-down season for both Hiller and Andersen, as Boudreau noted that the former’s confidence seemed shaken heading into the playoffs.

Hiller went 1-0-1 with two goals allowed on 87 shots in two regular season games against the Kings this season. He’s played in 21 regular season games against Los Angeles in his NHL career, posting a 9-8-3 record with an impressive .928 save percentage. It’s unclear what inspired Boudreau to pick Hiller over Andersen, but now the Swiss-born goalie is tasked with shutting down the red-hot Kings.

Here are the full lineups:

Follow James O’Brien @cyclelikesedins