Allen earns second consecutive start for Blues

CALGARY, Alberta -- Jake Allen will make his second consecutive start when the St. Louis Blues visit Scotiabank Saddledome to take on the Calgary Flames on Friday night.

Allen won his first career NHL start Wednesday in the Blues' 4-3 overtime victory over the Detroit Red Wings, snapping a five-game losing streak.

"It was a good feeling, especially getting off that slump we were on," Allen said. "Hopefully we can turn things around after the game. It was a big win. It was big for me. It was a good confidence boost."

Allen started in place of Brian Elliott, who has struggled this season after splitting the William M. Jennings Trophy last year with now injured netminder Jaroslav Halak.

According to coach Ken Hitchcock, Allen has given the club the opportunity to get both goalies into the form they found a year ago.

"It's allowed us to spend some time with Brian to hopefully get him back," Hitchcock said. "It's bought us some time with Halak. This was the first full-shot day for Halak and hopefully he can fully participate tomorrow to get ready for Sunday. Brian, this is two days in a row where Brian looks back on track."

St. Louis is expected to deploy the same lineup used in snapping its losing streak in Detroit.

David Perron – David Backes – T.J. Oshie

Andy McDonald – Alex Steen – Vladimir Tarasenko

Jaden Schwartz – Patrik Berglund – Chris Stewart

Vladimir Sobotka – Scott Nichol – Ryan Reaves

Ian Cole – Alex Pietrangelo

Barret Jackman – Kevin Shattenkirk

Kris Russell – Roman Polak

Jake Allen

Brian Elliott

Injured: Jaroslav Halak, Jamie Langenbrunner

Scratched: Matt D'Agostini, Wade Redden