It appears that the goalie controversy for the Blues will live to fight another day. Brian Elliott was brilliant ins topping 32 shots as the Blues shut out the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 for their fifth win of the season and the 1500th in the franchise’s history.
Alexander Steen started the Blues’ scoring in the second period, wristing a rebound past Vancouver goaltender (and some might say best bet for starter) Cory Schneider, thanks to a slick pass from defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk. Steen would score his fifth goal of the year one period later with help from Matt D’Agostini and captain David Backes. Backes left the game Saturday in Philadelphia with concussion-like symptoms, but was obviously good to go for last night. Patrik Berglund netted his third goal of the season with another Shattenkirk assist and a secondary one by linemate T.J. Oshie.
D’Agostini is now a +9 on the year which is good for first in the league. Elliott’s sitting pretty, ranking number five in both save percentage (.950) and goals against average (1.59). Will he get a chance to add to that in Calgary?
“Obviously the guy is playing well and getting into the forefront of that conversation,” coach Davis Payne said. “He had to make some key saves.”
If you have someone on a hot streak, roll with it – especially Elliott. He had a 9 game winning streak for the Ottawa Senators that helped them get into the playoffs in 2009. He’s a streaky goalie in general, but when he gets going, keep him in net until signs say otherwise.