Brian Elliott continues to prove that he's a top NHL goalie.
The Blues have had some really good goaltenders to wear the bluenote in the past. From Curtis Joeseph to Jacques Plant, from Grant Fuhr to Glenn Hall, but Brian Elliott has all but one beat. Jaroslav Halak (NYI) holds the Blues all time shutout record with 20 career shutouts with the Blues. Elliott earned his 19th of the season tonight, stopping all 27 shots he faced tonight.
Brian Elliott gets dumped on by a lot of people, because he's not a "super star goalie". He's no Pekka Rinne or Henrik Lundqvist.
That's true. He's not a hyped goaltender in any venue. He's not flashy. He plays a very simple game, and many don't realize how good of a goalie he actually is because of it. He hasn't been a work horse either, that doesn't help his case.
He joined the Blues at 25 years old, which is about the age NHL goalies really start finding their stride. In his four years with the Blues, Elliott holds a 1.89 goals against average, and a .926 save percentage. Elliott ranks first among all NHL goalies in the last four years with the lowest goals against average and the highest save percentage, among goalies who have played over 100 games.
In his four seasons with the Blues, his goals against has been above 2.00 just once. That was in the 2012-13 season, in which he held a 2.28 goals against.
He's might not be a Pekka Rinne, Henrik Lundqvist, or Jonathan Quick, but one things for sure. Brian Elliott is not going to lose you hockey games.
With tonight's win, Ken Hitchcock moves into sole possession of fifth, with win number 685 in his career, passing his close friend, and former Maple Leaf's coach, Pat Quinn. He's just eight wins behind Dick Irvin, and 50 back from former Blues head coach, Joel Quenneville. Chances are, Hitchcock will finish his coaching career fourth all time in wins.
Alexander Steen-David Backes-T.J. Oshie line has really led the offense in the last two weeks, with 49 points in their last 11 games played. That's averaging about four in a half points per game between the trio of forwards.
Steen is riding a nine game point streak, the highest streak of any Blues player this season. In that nine game stretch, Steen has seven goals and nine assists. He also has five goals in his last five games.
Backes, who was named the NHL's 1st star of week last week, is riding a six game point streak. Backes has seven goals and six assists during that stretch.
Oshie isn't riding a particular point streak, but the points have been flowing in over the last two weeks as well. In his last 11 games, Oshie has seven goals, and 10 assists. His offensive play has really picked up after having a rough start to the season.
The Blues are back at it Monday as they battle the Colorado Avalanche on NBC-Sports Network, and it will be their last game before the All-Star break.