Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Goalie nods: Blues go with Elliott after odd incident in Vancouver

St. Louis Blues v Vancouver Canucks

St. Louis Blues v Vancouver Canucks

Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images

All the latest from the blue paint...

Elliott, not Allen, starts in Philly

Worth keeping an eye on the Blues tonight as they take on the Flyers at Wells Fargo -- Brian Elliott will get the nod in goal, just four days after a wild Sunday night in Vancouver.

Jake Allen started the eventual 6-5 shootout loss to the Canucks, but was hooked after allowing four goals on 21 shots. Elliott replaced Allen to start the third, but was then yanked after allowing one goal early in the frame, giving way for Allen to re-enter the game.

Following the contest, Blues head coach Ken Hitchcock explained his reason for the move and noted the decision didn’t sit well with Elliott.

From the Post-Dispatch:

“When (Elliott) came out, it was 5-2,” Hitchcock said. “I was thinking, ‘Now all I need to do is get him hurt.’ I put him in because I thought we had great spirit going into the third and had a chance to win the hockey game. That was me. That’s my call.”

Elliott had a brief exchange with Hitchcock, then disappeared.

“He was mad he was coming out,” Hitchcock said. “I told him just relax. He’s fine.”

Elliott was not available for comment after the game.

Not much has been said about the incident since, but it was clear both Elliott and Allen were rattled by the series of events. Afteward, Allen said he was “mentally drained” by the situation.

As for the Flyers, Steve Mason will get the start in goal this evening.

Elsewhere...

Flames at Bruins: Karri Ramo vs. (no Boston starter yet)

Wild at Caps: Devan Dubnyk vs. Braden Holtby

Leafs at Bolts: Jonathan Bernier vs. Ben Bishop (probable)

Stars at Panthers: Kari Lehtonen (probable) vs. Dan Ellis

Isles at Preds: Jaroslav Halak vs. Pekka Rinne

Canucks at Coyotes: Eddie Lack vs. Mike Smith (probable)

Habs at Kings: (no Montreal starter yet) vs. Jonathan Quick (probable)