Jake Allen was straight and to the point after the St. Louis Blues dropped Game 5 at home to the San Jose Sharks Monday night.
"I didn't get the job done," Allen said, according to NHL.com's Lou Korac.
The goaltender, starting in his second straight game of the Western Conference Final in place of Brian Elliott, allowed four goals on only 25 shots. He didn't have much of a chance on Joe Pavelski's game-winning goal in the third period, the Sharks captain deftly tipping the puck into the net only 16 seconds into the frame. But Allen acknowledged what a back-breaker the marker was.
"Took the juice out of us right away," he said. "Not the way we wanted to start."
Blues head coach Ken Hitchock characterized Allen's play as "fine," and wouldn't commit to Allen or Elliott for a do-or-die Game 6. He said he'd discuss it with his staff Tuesday before making a call.
The decision on which Blues goalie starts will be a major talking point over the next 24 hours. Game 6 is Wednesday at 9 p.m. ET.
