Down 2-1 in the Western Conference Final against the San Jose Sharks, the St. Louis Blues are shaking things up in net for Game 4.
Head coach Ken Hitchcock has named Jake Allen as the starter for Saturday’s game over Brian Elliott.
“[Elliott] has run quite a distance here,” Hitchcock told media on Friday. “We just feel like Jake’s a guy that can help us change the momentum of the series.”
Hitchcock said Thursday he would “sleep on” the decision after the Blues’ 3-0 loss, which saw Elliott pulled in the third period. The Blues have now been shut out in two straight games, being outscored 7-0 in that time.
“I just talked it over this morning with everyone, including management,” he said. “We came to the decision. It’s ultimately my call.”
“We trust Brian,” Hitchcock continued. “Even when there were bumps we trusted Brian. I think this is a little bit different. This is a change in momentum.”
This will be Allen’s first start of this year’s playoffs. He has seen ice time in two games this post-season, also coming in to relieve Elliott in Game 6 against the Dallas Stars.