San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan has decided on his starting goalie for Game 1 of the Sharks' Western Conference First Round Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings but wouldn't reveal it publicly Monday, and said he may not announce it until just before the series begins Thursday in San Jose (10:30 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC).
McLellan said he has not informed either of his goalies, Antti Niemi and Alex Stalock, of his decision.
"I'm ready to name him," McLellan told the San Jose Mercury News. "I'm just not going to name him."
Niemi, the Sharks' top goalie since 2010-11, went 39-17-7 with a 2.39 goals-against average and .913 save percentage in 64 games, but lost three times in five starts down the stretch. He finished the season with 30 saves Saturday in a 3-2 win against the Phoenix Coyotes. He's is 16-17 in 33 playoff games for the Sharks.
Stalock was 12-5-2 with a 1.87 goals-against average and .932 save percentage in 24 games. He made 32 saves in his most recent start, a 5-1 win against the Colorado Avalanche on April 11.