The St. Louis Blues and Detroit Red Wings no longer share a division, but this postseason they share a particular circumstance: Having two goaltenders that are steady if never spectacular veterans, and have middling postseason track records; and two other goalie that lack experience but – in theory – could win you a series.
Or lose one, too.
But Brian Elliott of the St. Louis Blues will watch from the bench as is given first crack against the Minnesota Wild in Game 1. And Jimmy Howard of the Detroit Red Wings will watch from the bench as Petr Mrazek gets the nod against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1, as both series open on Thursday night.