CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. (AP) — Florida Panthers coach Kevin Dineen says he does not plan to divulge his starting goaltender for Game 1 of the playoffs against New Jersey before Friday.
Jose Theodore started 51 games for the Panthers this season, but the team lost each of his last seven starts — four of those in either overtime games or shootouts. Scott Clemmensen got the nod in the regular-season finale against Carolina and made 35 saves to help Florida clinch the Southeast Division title and home-ice advantage for its first playoff series in 12 years.
Over the last month, Clemmensen’s goals-against-average is 1.19 in four starts. Theodore’s is 2.27 in 12 starts.
Dineen says it’s a difficult decision. The series opens on Friday night.
