The Blues have a hot goaltender in Jake Allen and they’re calling his number again when the team hosts the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night. The media has already spun Ken Hitchcock’s decision into some sort of goaltending controversy, but in reality his decision is an obvious one for the time being. Brian Elliott isn’t saying much, but it doesn’t sound like he’s happy.
Hitchcock’s decision probably wasn’t a difficult one. Allen is playing well right now and the Blues need to pick up as many points as possible. Elliott has been on the bad end of a few results and though he still has strong numbers on the year, the Blues need to win right now and can’t endure a poor outing.
Since March 21st
Allen: Saved 112 of 120 shots for a save percentage of 93.3 in five appearances.
Elliott: Saved 70 of 85 shots for a save percentage of 82.3 in four appearances.
The sample sizes above are extremely small, but the Blues have reached the time of the year where even one bad game could mean the difference in the battle for home ice advantage. Allen has been better of late and is receiving extra work for his efforts. Elliott has struggled and though he may rebound at any moment, the Blues are short on time.
Hitchcock said as much:
Hitch "We see a guy that is hot, that's feeling it, so you ride it out. You're as good as your last game when you get this deep into season"
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 6, 2015
Was it difficult for Hitch to break the news to Elliott that the Blues are going to ride the hot hand?
Hitch on difficulty telling Elliott the plan: "Maybe for him, but not for me. I've got to do what's best for the hockey club…. (1/2)
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 6, 2015
Hitch cont'd: "And what's best for the hockey club is whoever's playing the best gets to play. That's just the way it is." (2/2) #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 6, 2015
As you might expect, Elliott doesn’t seem too happy to be watching from the bench. He hasn’t said he’s upset, but you can safely read between the lines here.
Elliott: "There's an inside voice and an outside voice, so … I have my own feelings, so I'll keep them to myself." #stlblues
— Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) April 6, 2015
The Blues have three games left on the schedule and one bad start by Allen would signal an immediate return by Elliott. The media and fans have made a much larger story out of this than was necessary and hopefully it doesn’t rattle Elliott’s confidence should Allen’s hot streak cool.
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