ANAHEIM – Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau knows he needs to make a decision within the next few weeks. He knows he needs to make a choice on which of his two talented goalies he will use predominantly in the playoffs. Or does he?

Since the Christmas break, Boudreau has alternated between Frederik Andersen and John Gibson, regularly playing each two consecutive games then switching. And it’s worked.

The Ducks’ post-Christmas surge included a club-best 11-game winning streak from Feb.13-March5 and gave them first place in the Pacific Division.

“I think we make it harder on him,” Andersen said. “It would be tough for him to pick one starting goaltender. It’s a luxury to have two number ones, and especially since it’s been going well with the two-games switch we have going on since the winning streak started.

“Obviously, you want to play every night.”

Although the Ducks have gone 1-3-1 recently, Boudreau said he doesn’t have any plans to alter his goalie strategy before the end of the regular season.

Many athletes want to be the No.1 guy, and aren’t willing to share the limelight much less the goal. Yet, the Ducks goalies have put aside their egos, making Boudreau’s job both easier and harder.

“We’re both good goalies and we both want to play. We want to do our best to get in there, but it’s not about that, it’s about playing whenever you’re told,” Andersen said. “You get what you deserve and you work for what you get, what you put in, you get out of it. It’s bigger than me and Gibby. It’s about the team. If we win eight games each in the playoffs we’ll take that.”

HEALTH REPORT

Given Boudreau’s two-game switch, Gibson should be in goal Friday against the Boston Bruins. He was the goaltender in the Ducks’ 2-1 loss to New York.

Gibson, though, was sick Thursday and did not practice, putting his availability in doubt.

“He got a little sick this morning and as it is with this time of year, we wanted him to get out of Dodge before he passed it to anybody else,” Boudreau said.

Nate Thompson (lower body) also was not at practice, but is expected to skate Friday. Sami Vatanen (chin) skated for 30 minutes and Kevin Bieksa (lower body) practiced for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury a week ago. Bieksa said he could “possibly” see action against the Bruins.

FIRST IMPRESSION

Brandon Pirri’s debut with the Ducks could have gone better. He could have executed with more precision, handled the puck sharper and perhaps even garnered a point. But few are complaining.

Pirri, who was acquired in a trade with Florida, has been sidelined the past seven games with a sprained ankle. He was on the ice for 16 minutes against the Rangers.

“It was a start,” Pirri said. “I don’t want to be too hard on myself because I was out a long time. I know what I need to do to help this team win.”

Boudreau said: “Considering he’s had one practice with the team and been out over a month, his puck handling is the only thing he would like to have back.

“Usually, when you have a good puck handler like he is and those pucks get on your stick, it gets away quick. He missed a couple and that comes with timing and playing.”

Contact the writer: jcarr@ocregister.com