Wanna blog? Start your own hockey blog with My HockeyBuzz. Register for free today!
 

Brian Elliott Injured In Shootout Loss To Senators

November 25, 2014, 11:42 PM ET [116 Comments]
Randall Ritchey
St Louis Blues Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The St. Louis Blues and the Ottawa Senators play each other twice a year. They haven't met in the playoffs at all, yet for the last two seasons, these games have been filled with hostility.

The Senators came back after being down 2-0 in the third to tie the game late and eventually win the the shootout.

Ian Cole put the Blues on the board in the first after his shot from the point was tipped by Erik Karlsson and past Robin Lehner. It was Cole's first goal of the season. Ryan Reaves and Maxim Lapierre registered assists on the play.

Alexander Steen scored the Blues second goal of the game, on the power play, over halfway through the second period. Steen beat Lehner clean between the glove and the pad to put the Blues ahead by two. Paul Stastny and Kevin Shattenkirk were given the assists on the Steen goal. The pass Stastny made to Steen across the ice was tape-to-tape, and Steen's release was quick and accurate.

Brian Elliott was injured less than two minutes later, as Erik Condra was pushed into the net by Chris Butler, and both fell on top of the Blues netminder. Elliott's leg got caught underneath him and he stayed down for a while.

When he got back to his skates, he tried testing his leg out, doing subtle drills in the crease, but eventually left the game. As he was going down the tunnel, he threw his stick in frustration and disgust.

Allen came in and played well, but the Blues started the third period and the energy disappeared.

Condra got one back for the Senators, as he tipped in a Eric Gryba point shot past Allen to make it 2-1. Patrick Wiercioch recorded the secondary assist on the play.

The Senators were all over the Blues in the third period, out shooting them 15-7.

The Senators pulled Robin Lehner late in the third period, and it would eventually pay off. Mike Hoffman put a shot on goal that just slid past Allen, and it was Alex Chiasson who jumped on the loose puck and tied the game.

After a very entertaining overtime, which included a Bobby Ryan shot that hit the post, a terrific glove save by Jake Allen, and an equally terrific glove save by Lehner, we headed to a shootout.

T.J. Oshie, Alexander Steen, and Vladimir Tarasenko all failed to beat Lehner in the shootout, while Bobby Ryan would beat Allen in the third round to give the Senators a 3-2 win.


There were three goals waived off in the game. One for the Blues, two for the Senators. All three goals probably should have counted.


Elliott Injury Could Cause Problems


Elliott didn't want to leave tonight's game, according to Barret Jackman, so it looks like it was the trainers call to take him out. He did not return to the bench during the game, and the severity of his injury is currently unknown.

We don't want to speculate, but the knee was bent behind Elliott's body and had the weight of Chris Butler and Erik Condra on top of it. It didn't look pretty when it happened, and replay didn't make it look any better.

It could be a knee injury or a hip injury. Hopefully Elliott will be fine and it's just a day-to-day problem.

However, we have to look at the possibility of it being more severe than that. If there is any damage to the MCL/ACL, the hip, or possibly the groin, an injury to Elliott that keeps him out for any period of time could hamper the Blues.

Jake Allen would become the starter, and the Blues will be forced to make a decision for the back up role.

They could recall Jordan Binnington from the Chicago Wolves, and run with Allen and Binnington. Allen has a total of 24 NHL games played. Binnington has zero. It's be a very young, very inexperienced tandem.

Matt Climie lasted until the last round of cuts by the Blues, and is currently an unrestricted free agent, playing with the Chicago Wolves on an AHL contract. He could potentially be signed to back up Allen while Elliott is out.

Or if the injury is severe enough to keep Elliott out for an extended period of time, there are options out there for a back up position. Martin Brodeur is still an unrestricted free agent, and has reportedly been waiting for an injury to arise to try and get back into the league. The same can be said for Ilya Bryzgalov. Both could potentially fill in as a back up goalie to Allen while Elliott is injured.

So who would you choose? If Elliott is out for an extended period of time, who would you like to back up Jake Allen?

If Elliot's injury is severe, who replaces him?
Recall Jordan Binnington
Sign Matt Climie
Sign Martin Brodeur
Sign Ilya Bryzgalov
Other
Poll Maker






As always, you can reach me via email at [email protected] or on twitter, @randallritchey.
Join the Discussion: » 116 Comments » Post New Comment
More from Randall Ritchey
» Quick Update
» The Next Captain Of Your St. Louis Blues Is....
» Battle of the Bottom Feeders (SJS @ STL) 7pm CT
» How Crucial Is This Off-Season For St. Louis?
» Reminder, Hockey Is Just A Game