St. Louis Blues make right move sticking with Brian Elliott

The St. Louis Blues decided to stick with Brian Elliott in a do-or-die Game 7.

Despite allowing three goals on seven shots in an elimination game, the St. Louis Blues will keep their faith in Brian Elliott in a do-or-die Game 7. When Ken Hitchcock was asked about the decision, he called it “a no-brainer.”

Blues fans don’t need to remind you how important this game is, as it could get their team back to the Conference Final for the first time since 2001.

However, had they gone with Jake Allen in Game 7, it would’ve been a mistake. He may have gotten a shutout in Game 6, but he only faced seven shots, and the defense tightened up in front of him once he came in. Allen’s appearance last game was also his first appearance in net since April 3.

Make no mistake, Allen isn’t a bad goalie. He’s posted some good numbers this season (a 2.30 GAA and a .920 save percentage), but it’s been Elliott that’s played a bigger role in St. Louis’ success this year. He was their goalie down the stretch in the regular season, and in the playoffs so far. And despite that stinker in Game 6, his playoff save percentage of .926 is still tremendous.

The Blues already went down this road when they contemplated starting Jake Allen in Game 7 against the Chicago Blackhawks after Elliott gave up six goals before that. But when it’s the playoffs, you have to dance with the one that got you here, and without him, there’s no way they would’ve gotten past the Blackhawks.

Loyalty is important in keeping a team together during the playoffs, and had Hitchcock gone with Allen, there’s a good chance he would’ve let down not only Elliott but other players in the locker room who have stuck by Elliott all throughout the playoffs. This decision may not bode well for Allen’s future with the team, but right now, the focus should be firmly on Game 7 and trying to advance.

Whether their season ends tonight or later, the Blues have a whole offseason to figure out what to do with their goalies, and it’s situations like this that are the reason why goalie tandems are problematic. But sticking with Brian Elliott was the right move. Elliott already repaid Hitchcock’s faith in him back in the first round, and it’s up to him to do the same tonight.

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