Ducks’ John Gibson leaves Saturday night’s game against Bruins due to upper-body injury

Not a good sign for the Anaheim Ducks or potential trade suitors.

During Saturday night’s game against the Boston Bruins, Ducks goaltender John Gibson left the contest with an upper-body injury and didn’t return.

Lukas Dostal replaced the veteran backstop when the third period began. He turned away nine of the 10 shots he faced, helping Anaheim defeat the Bruins 3-2 in overtime.

Gibson allowed just one goal on 20 shots he faced in the contest. It was his first appearance since Feb. 4, the team’s second-to-last game before the 4 Nations Face-Off. It was also the second time in less than a month that Gibson has had to leave a game due to an upper-body injury. He prematurely exited the Ducks’ contest against the Nashville Predators on Jan. 25 with an ailment, though he returned to action a few days later.

It is not yet known the severity of the Pittsburgh native’s recent injury. However, with the trade deadline less than two weeks away, it might put a damper on the trade conversations surrounding Gibson. Rumors of moving on from the longtime Duck have circulated for years, but some have speculated this might be the year he gets dealt.

In 24 games this season, 23 of which are starts, Gibson has a 9-9-2 record with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. He’s in the sixth year of his eight-year contract, which carries a $6.4 million cap hit through the 2026-27 campaign.

Gibson has been with the Ducks since the team took him in the second round of the 2011 NHL Draft. After bursting on the scene during the 2014 playoffs, he’s been a mainstay in Anaheim net, including winning the Jennings Trophy in the 2015-16 season.

In 501 career appearances, Gibson is 202-215-63 with a 2.89 GAA, a .910 SV% and 24 shutouts.

The Ducks (25-24-6) are sixth in the Pacific Division seven points back of the last Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.