from Helene Elliott of the LA Times,

Red Wings Coach Mike Babcock told reporters Monday he had to "try and take all the emotion out of it" while choosing goaltender Petr Mrazek over an experienced but struggling Jimmy Howard to start Detroit's first-round Eastern Conference playoff series against Tampa Bay.

Blues Coach Ken Hitchcock said he would "flip a coin in the next couple of days" to determine whether rookie Jake Allen or Brian Elliott will start for St. Louis against Minnesota in its Western Conference playoff series. Hitchcock was joking. Maybe.

Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau's decision to start Frederik Andersen against Winnipeg was made for him last week when John Gibson sustained an upper-body injury. Gibson didn't practice with the Ducks on Monday, and Boudreau declined to update his status.

Goaltending has been a source of mystery, debate and wonderment in the NHL this season, and those elements are carrying over into the playoffs. Although many teams are sure of their starters, some — for instance, the Blues or Vancouver Canucks — could go either way. And several will start goalies who weren't on their rosters when the season began.

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