Jean-Sebastien Giguere is 8-7-2 with a 3.01 GAA in 18 games. Jean-Sebastien Giguere is 8-7-2 with a 3.01 GAA in 18 games. (Chris Carlson/Associated Press)

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere has been granted permission to leave the team for undisclosed family reasons.

Giguere, 31, headed home to Montreal and is not expected back until the weekend, meaning backup netminder Jonas Hiller will start Friday's matinee versus the Chicago Blackhawks at the Honda Center.

Hiller has posted a 4-1-1 record with a 2.40 goals-against average in eight appearances this season, his second in the NHL.

The 26-year-old will be backed up by David LeNeveu, who was recalled Thursday from the AHL's Iowa Chops.

Leneveau, 25, is 5-9-2 with a 3.38 GAA in 21 NHL games since he was drafted in the second round (46th overall) by the Phoenix Coyotes in 2002.

With files from the Associated Press