Report: Halak to Start Monday Against Dallas

Per Jeremy Rutherford, Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock has selected his man to set the pace for the unofficial start to the second half of the NHL season.

Halak starting tonight. #stlblues

— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) December 26, 2011

Though Brian Elliott has had two bad games, by his 2012-13 standards, this month, he has clearly been the better netminder and deserves the start against a team in which Jaroslav Halak has struggled against and trailers the Blues by only thee points. I guess that means Hitch is sticking to his “play them both” philosophy. Even when the numbers dictate he shouldn’t.

In 4 career games against the Stars, Halak has allowed 12 goals leading to a 0-4-0 record with a 3.05 GAA and .875 save percentage. Fantasy hockey owners of Halak, consider yourself warned.

Then again, history isn’t in Elliott’s corner either. In 2 games he’s 0-1-0 with a 3.32 GAA and .907 save percentage.

So is there any positive spin to who starts in goal? Yep. Look at Halak’s last four games before the loss to Columbus on the 18th: 6 goals against, 91 saves on 97 shots for a .938 save percentage.

What say you? Yay, nay, indifferent? Just praying Jamie Benn or Loui Eriksson don’t get the opportunity to undress him? Chances should be minimized. Don’t see too many bonehead plays on the point by Alex Pietrangelo. #noerikjohnsonwammies