St. Louis Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak will miss first 2 games vs Kings

St. Louis Blues goaltender Brian Elliott defends against San Jose Sharks center Michael Handzus during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round hockey playoff series, Saturday, April 21, 2012, in St. Louis. The Blues won 3-1 and won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Chris Lee) EDWARDSVILLE INTELLIGENCER OUT; THE ALTON TELEGRAPH OUT

ST. LOUIS - St. Louis Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak will not play in the first two games of the upcoming second-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings.

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock disclosed his decision Monday.

Halak was injured in the second game of the Blues' first-round series against San Jose, leaving with an undisclosed lower-body injury that is believed to be a sprained left ankle he suffered during a collision with teammate Barret Jackman.

St. Louis had the deepest goalie tandem in the NHL this season. Brian Elliott led the NHL with a 1.56 goals-against average, including nine shutouts.

The NHL has not yet announced specific dates for the Blues-Kings series.