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Elliott, Allen aim to end Blues playoff struggle in goal

Monday, 03.30.2015 / 3:00 AM / Expert Picks

By Louie Korac - NHL.com Correspondent

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Elliott, Allen aim to end Blues playoff struggle in goal
When Blues coach Ken Hitchcock decided to start rookie goalie Jake Allen in a recent set of back-to-back games against the Red Wings and Penguins, that looming question that seems to hover around the Gateway City came to light again.

ST. LOUIS -- When St. Louis Blues coach Ken Hitchcock decided to start rookie goalie Jake Allen in a recent set of back-to-back games against the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, that looming question that seems to hover around the Gateway City came to light again.

"Is there a goalie controversy in St. Louis?"

The question is understandable, considering the events of the past couple of seasons involving Jaroslav Halak, Brian Elliott and last season, when the Blues traded for Ryan Miller.

Elliott always seemed to be in the middle of those events, but Hitchcock made no mistake when asked: Elliott will be the guy going forward into the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and Allen will be right there as the capable backup to give the Blues a formidable 1-2 punch.

"[Elliott] is the starter. Jake got rewarded for an exceptional performance and we go right back with [Elliott]," Hitchcock said. "[Elliott] is playing. He'll play the majority of the games leading up to the playoffs here. We're on the course that we set two months ago when we made the decision that [Elliott] was going to be the guy and we're not changing that course. But there comes times during the year where, man, when you see your backup really play exceptionally well, you've got to give him the carrot there. That's what we did. We just felt like, 'What the heck? Let's reward something like that.'”

Halak and Elliott were quite the combo for the Blues during the regular season in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Halak was initially named the starter for the playoffs, but Elliott eventually inherited the job in each season because of various injuries Halak sustained.

Elliott had to swallow another bitter pill last spring when the Blues acquired Miller and forward Steve Ott from the Buffalo Sabres before the 2014 NHL Trade Deadline. The trade came after Elliott went 2-4-0 with a 1.90 goals-against average and .919 save percentage in the 2012-13 playoffs but was bested by Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick for the second straight year.

The trade was supposed to be the final piece of the puzzle for a franchise that believed improving the goalie position would ultimately lead to a Stanley Cup championship.

But Miller and the Blues never found that niche. Despite decent numbers (10-8-1 with a 2.70 GAA and .903 save percentage) in the regular season, he was 2-4-0 with a 2.70 GAA and a .897 save percentage in a first-round loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. The Blues were left searching again, and there was an amicable split last summer between Miller and the Blues.

After three seasons of giving them everything they could ask for at the position, the Blues turned over the keys to Elliott. He's giving the Blues strong numbers again (24-13-3, 2.18 GAA, .920 save percentage and five shutouts), but when such situations arise, Hitchcock felt the need to reassure the 29-year-old the job is his.

"We did; we wanted to ... sometimes you have to nurture that relationship," Hitchcock said. "We said it to him. Quite frankly, it happened to [Elliott] too when he was backing up Jaro. [Elliott] had some great performances and we rewarded that, too. I would say it happens three or four times a year. We just felt like this was one chance for a guy like Jake ... not many teams have as good a backup goalie as we do, and we wanted to reward a helluva performance."

Elliott, who established a franchise record with 21 shutouts, surpassing Halak's 20, doesn't have a free pass. Hitchcock won't allow him a long leash.

"Obviously if [Elliott] doesn't play well at all, then we've got to reassess it like any team does," Hitchcock said. "Right now, he's showing no signs of letting up and we want to give him the right type of games and the right type of focus and the right type of practice. We're trying to get a balance with what [goalie coach Jim Corsi] wants, what we need competitively-wise and what we need wins-wise. He's going to play these important games and hopefully get us ready."

Elliott is used to being the supportive goalie, and in the situation when Allen plays, it's easy to lend a positive voice.

"Like we always say, 'It's whoever gets the call, you want to do the best you can and be that rock,'" Elliott said. "We got a huge two points in Pittsburgh recently. ... Obviously Jake getting the win back there was huge for us. Now we focus on this last little segment and here we go."

The relationship between Elliott and Allen has been good. They do things together off the ice, talk about things on the ice and off the ice. It's been a match that's proved beneficial to both. The Blues are banking on a strong duo for the 2015 playoffs.

"We talk about game situations, what happens and even in practice, how you approach the drill," Elliott said. "Sometimes you laugh it off, sometimes you need to blow some steam off to just to get a sounding board. We've had that type of relationship that we can do that."

Allen, who is 19-6-4 with a 2.45 GAA, .906 save percentage and four shutouts, did not play in the NHL last season. He was 9-4-0 with a 2.46 GAA and .905 save percentage when the Blues were looking for a jolt during the lockout-shortened season of 2012-13 when Elliott and Halak were struggling. Allen is happy to be along for the ride in whatever role he's given.

"Each time I get in net, I just want to have some fun with it and give the guys a chance," Allen said. "Coming down to the wire here and games might be a rarity for me, but I just want to make a positive impression every time I get on the ice and be ready when need be. I'm just enjoying every second of it. Anything I can do to help make this team go all the way is what I'm here for.

"[Elliott's] been great to have as a teammate. We both push each other to reach our full potential, and that's what's made it a good partnership."

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