Ken Hitchcock's decision to start Jake Allen over Brian Elliott in Game 4 against the San Jose Sharks was puzzling, but not at all surprising.
The St. Louis Blues head coach gave a predictable explanation for the switch that will take effect Saturday night.
"We're playing a team that's got a bead in their game and focus in their game that's been around for seven games now," Hitchcock told reporters Friday. "We've got to change momentum here. They've been dialing in with this game for seven games now.
"I think if we expect to trot out with just a little bit better effort and expect to see a change, I think that would be misleading. We're not going to change that. We're going to have to change momentum in a real positive way with probably a little bit more drama to it, and we're going to have to find people that can help us do that."
Hitchcock used the word "momentum" nine times in Friday's media availability, and it's easy to understand why.
The Blues need to do something, as they trail the Western Conference final series 2-1 after being shut out in back-to-back games. They were outscored 7-0 in those losses, and 8-2 in the series, but their problem is not between the pipes.
St. Louis outshot San Jose in Games 2 and 3, but Sharks goalie Martin Jones stopped all 48 attempts he faced in the two contests combined. The Sharks and Blues were virtually even in shot attempts in all situations in Game 2, with St. Louis having more than San Jose at even-strength as well as in all situations in Game 3.
The Blues' power play has gone ice-cold, failing to score in eight consecutive opportunities since David Backes' opening goal in Game 1.
Vladimir Tarasenko was held without a point in all three contests after notching seven points in six games against the Dallas Stars, while Alex Steen has been held off the scoresheet in his last four and has only a single point in his last six games.
Elliott has started all 17 games for the Blues in these playoffs, going 9-8 with a 2.34 GAA, a .925 save percentage, and one shutout.
Allen ceded the starting job to Elliott when the veteran returned from injury late in the regular season, and Allen has made only two postseason appearances this spring, adding up to less than a full game in the crease.
Changing the starting goalie is an all too familiar NHL coaching tactic, but the only goaltending problem the Blues currently have is figuring out how to solve Jones.
(Analytics courtesy: HockeyStats.ca)
