Goalie surprise? Ducks’ Frederik Andersen first off ice in Philadelphia

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said at the start of this four-game Eastern Conference road trip that goalies John Gibson and Frederik Andersen would play two games each.

But after Gibson was overwhelmed by 39 shots on goal in Thursday’s opener at Pittsburgh, Andersen has won two games and he was first off the ice at Tuesday’s morning skate in Philadelphia, which usually indicates he’ll start.

Andersen stopped 27 of 29 shots on Saturday in a 3-2 victory over Detroit, then cruised Monday as the Ducks allowed only 12 shots on goal in whipping Buffalo, 5-1, with the Sabres never getting more than five shots on Andersen in a period.

FATIGUE SETTING IN?: The Ducks were 11-1-2 in the finale of back-to-back games last season, and Boudreau doesn’t expect his team to play tired on the last stop of this trip against an 0-2-1 Flyers team missing injured center Vincent Lecavalier (foot).

“I know the character of this group,” Boudreau said. “They’re not thinking about going home. They’re thinking about getting the job done, and then going home. I’m quite sure of that.”

The Ducks’ home opener is Friday night against the Minnesota Wild.

DOMINATING THE CIRCLE: With center Ryan Kesler leading the way, winning 16 of 20 faceoffs Monday, the Ducks were 45-21 in the category.

Saturday against Detroit, they won 28 of 51 faceoffs as Kesler and Getzlaf combined to win 21 of 35.

“It sure makes a difference. With the inequity … we had the puck all night,” Boudreau said. “If you start with the puck, it’s a lot easier to play an offensive game than if the puck is in your zone. It makes a great difference especially on the power play and penalty kill [and] Kesler’s numbers have been really terrific.”