ANAHEIM — Coach Dallas Eakins sat on the bench with goaltender John Gibson as practice wound down Saturday at Honda Center. They talked for an extended period one day after Eakins pulled Gibson in the second period of a 4-1 loss to the Kings, after he gave up four goals on 20 shots.

Eakins declined to give details of their talk, but he listed three courses of action he was considering before the Ducks’ game Sunday against the New York Islanders. Eakins said he expected goalie coach Sudarshan Maharaj to speak with Gibson, too. Maharaj was on a scouting trip.

“I just reminded myself that I learned very early in my coaching career not to have long conversations with players on the ice because then you’re going to get asked about it,” Eakins said without a trace of humor. “We just talked about (Friday) night. I hadn’t talked to him about coming out of the game.

“‘Gibby’ was good. He totally understood.”

Gibson has given up four goals or more in each of his five starts since playing in the All-Star Game for the third time in his career. He has been pulled twice in five games, the first times he’s been relieved by backup Anthony Stolarz for reasons of mercy or performance this season.

Eakins could give Gibson the net Sunday, giving him a chance for a bounce-back performance. Eakins could stick with the goaltending rotation that was established some time ago, sticking to the routine. Eakins could give Gibson a chance to rest and recover, giving Stolarz a chance to play.

“So, there’s three ways to go about it,” Eakins said. “They’re all options.”

No question, Gibson, 28, has been a workhorse for the Ducks this season. He has faced 1,197 shots in 38 games in 2021-22, the fifth-most in the NHL going into Saturday’s games around the league. He was ninth with 38 starts this season and seventh in minutes played with 2,241:09.

Might it be time for an extended rest for Gibson?

Or at least a game or two off?

“Sometimes it’s best to get him right back in there,” Eakins said of putting Gibson back in goal Sunday against New York. “Other times it’s better to take a breath. The great thing is we do have the luxury of ‘Stolie’ playing very well. So, whatever our decision is, we’re going to be covered.”

In fact, there hasn’t been much difference in the quality of the Ducks’ goaltending when Stolarz has started in place of Gibson. Stolarz is 8-5-1 with a 2.66 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. Gibson is 16-14-8 with a 2.84 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.

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