ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Blues are riding the hot hand in goal into the playoffs. There was never a doubt who’d be minding the nets for the Minnesota Wild.

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock ended the intrigue on Wednesday, a day ahead of the opener of the best-of-seven series, choosing rookie Jake Allen over veteran Brian Elliott.

The Wild counter with their own rising star. Devan Dubnyk started 39 of the last 40 games and keyed the franchise’s rise from fourth worst in the Western Conference to a wild card spot pitting them against the Central Division champions.