St. Louis Blues Sticking With Jake Allen

COMMENTARY | St. Louis Blues’ head coach Ken Hitchcock has officially said that he is putting his trust in the young backup goaltender, Jake Allen, over Brian Elliott, the seasoned netminder. This is Allen’s first season as a regular back-up goaltender with the St. Louis Blues. At just 24 years old, Allen is showing that he does not buckle under pressure. Is this a wise move for the St. Louis Blues?

Experience

Brian Elliott has playoff experience, with that experience comes maturity and the ability to handle the pressures of a strong playoff run. Even though the Blues have been shaky at best during the playoffs the past couple of seasons, the goaltenders have gained valuable experience playing in the high intensity games. Allen has only had a taste of that intensity whereas Elliott has been thrown off the deep end and immersed in it.

Brian Elliott

Elliott is hungry for the chance to prove himself, as is Allen. But both are essentially backup goaltenders trying to be worthy of the number one position. Elliott has played in the NHL longer, but his mentality seems to still be stuck in the roll of backup. When he was given the number one spot at the beginning of the year, it was speculated that he would not be able to handle the everyday duty required for his new elevated position. He was out to prove them wrong and even ended his vacation early to appear in the All-Star game when he got the last minute call.

Jake Allen

Allen is just as hungry to prove that he deserves to be in the NHL. His role as the backup to Elliott, and for a short time during Elliott’s injury to Martin Brodeur, has given him time to grow and learn. Does he have the maturity, stamina and ability to carry a team that tends to fizzle in the first round of the playoffs? I think that given more time and conditioning Allen would be the best choice over Elliott. Right now, with Elliott wavering and having difficulty stopping the puck, I think Allen is right for the end of season games. Will he wear out early in the play offs and not be able to deliver?

I’m sure these are all the questions running through the coaching staff’s minds as they determine the best course of action. Should they stay with the backup who may not be able to deliver in the long run or go with the goaltender who earned the number one spot only to begin to fray as the playoffs approach? Blues fans are divided. There are those who believe that Elliott can rebound and carry the weight of the team. But then there are others who remember Elliott’s playoff flops and are pinning their hopes on the young Allen.

Either way, Hitchcock has stated that he is sticking with Jake Allen for game 1 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Will that decision be a mistake since the Blues do not know yet who their opponent will be, we will have to sit back and watch it all unfold.