Blues to start Brian Elliott in goal for Game 7 vs. Stars

ByCraig Custance ESPN logo
Wednesday, May 11, 2016

DALLAS -- The St. Louis Blues are returning to the veteran goalie who got them this far in their Game 7 showdown against the Dallas Starsin the Stanley Cup playoffs Wednesday night.

Brian Elliott was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate and will be the starting goalie for the Blues in the elimination game in Dallas.

Elliott was pulled in Game 6 after allowing three goals on seven shots in just 16:49 of ice time against the Stars. Up until that stretch, however, he had been a rock for the Blues.

"He's given us a chance to get to Game 7 again," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "I couldn't think of a better opportunity for him or for us. Really, a no-brainer, to be honest with you."

Even factoring in the Game 6 flurry, Elliott has a .921 save percentage against the Stars in this series and a .926 save percentage overall in the postseason.

Blues backup goalie Jake Allen was strong in relief during Game 6, but Elliott's play this postseason warranted another shot against Dallas.

Elliott already has one Game 7 win under his belt in this postseason, stopping 31 of 33 shots in helping the Blues eliminate the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round.