SAN JOSE -– The Blues’ decision to give Jake Allen his first start this playoffs isn’t an indictment of Brian Elliott, head coach Ken Hitchcock said on Saturday afternoon, a few hours before Game 4 at SAP Center.
“Zero reflection on Brian Elliott. Zero. It's a reflection on us,” Hitchcock said. “If we're going to win this series, get back in this series, we can't continue to allow three and four goals and expect to win games, not the way San Jose is playing right now. We have to amp it up defensively.”
Other than stopping the puck, Allen could help the Blues get the puck out of their end more quickly in that he’s a better puck handler than Elliott.