Staring down a 2-0 series deficit against the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Final, the Carolina Hurricanes have opted to keep their starting netminder a secret for Game 3.
Although head coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed Tuesday a decision had been made, he wasn't willing to share the information.
"I can't be that guy that does that, right? I know who we're starting, but I guess you'll have to wait and see. Sorry," Brind'Amour said, according to NHL.com's Dan Rosen.
The goaltending tandem of Petr Mrazek and Curtis McElhinney have been at the core of the Hurricanes' success all year, and with Mrazek allowing 10 goals on 52 shots through the opening two games of the series, it's possible McElhinney gets a shot between the pipes.
McElhinney made 17 saves after replacing Mrazek in Game 2 against the New York Islanders to capture the victory. The 35-year-old followed up the strong relief performance by allowing just four goals on 58 combined shots through Game 3 and 4, helping the Hurricanes complete the four-game sweep.
"We're 100 percent on board with anybody that goes in the hockey nets," Hurricanes forward and captain Justin Williams said Monday. "I have zero qualms about anybody going in. Whoever is going to go in is going to do a great job and we're going to have a great game."
The Hurricanes faced a 2-0 series deficit in their opening-round matchup against the Washington Capitals. The team ultimately stuck with Mrazek and were able to complete the comeback and take the series in seven games.
