Can Jake Allen steal starts?

[Plumley]

So this brings me back to my original question: Can Allen start stealing games from Elliott? The Blues only have one back-to-back in the coming weeks.

Sure he can, but Elliot has to struggle for that to happen without back to backs IMO.

[TheNugeCooge]

I think there's some wishful thinking at work here, sure. Allen has certainly played well, but three of his four starts were back-to-backs.

Elliott has still outstarted Alllen 2-to-1 and has done well. However, if he were to be injured or struggle for a stretch of games, then look out.

In some leagues sure you can wait it out until a switch actually happens. But owning Allen would most certainly involve wishful thinking on the owner's behalf or else he's no different than any other backup in the league. I think we've all witnessed how fungible the position of goaltender can be. I don't see much difference between Allen and Gibson except for the fact that Allen isn't currently out for six weeks. For all the love Gibson gets around here, Allen deserves his share with the same accord.

[TheNugeCooge]

So this brings me back to my original question: Can Allen start stealing games from Elliott? The Blues only have one back-to-back in the coming weeks.

Didn't you say the guy you're behind in the standings has Elliot? This seems like as logical a pick-up to me if there ever was one. The season isn't three weeks long. The question should be can Allen steal starts over the season, not the next three weeks. But even if you want an answer for the next three weeks, it's YES he can if he keeps pitching shutouts (not that I expect him to do THAT every night)

[Instant Karma]

I think the problem is that some people have prognosticated that Allen will eventually take the crease from Elliott (which may indeed happen). But that's a long term view.

The first week in November is doubtless a little early to be expecting that to be imminent, assuming it happens this year at all.

Many (including yours truly) thought that Lehner was going to take the crease from Anderson last year. Guess what? Didn't happen.

I think Allen is one of the better back-ups to own. But don't get carried away.

[ShawneePanthers]

He will absolutely steal starts. Elliot isn't so much a starting goalie as he is in another platoon.

[roberto_alomar]

Tonight`s results will speak volumes. Wait and see... Elliott had some flakey games and was inconsistent in years prior to last.

[Instant Karma]

Tonight`s results will speak volumes. Wait and see... Elliott had some flakey games and was inconsistent in years prior to last.

I suspect that Allen is starting tonight due to the fact that it's the second of a home-and-home with NJ, and he shut them out on Tuesday. I wouldn't read anything more into it than that.

[evans334]

Elliott on Saturday according to Daily Faceoff Twitter feed:

#nhl Brian Elliott: Goalie Start: Elliott will be in the cage on Saturday. | http://bit.ly/1wzTQHG

[Hoopo]

So this brings me back to my original question: Can Allen start stealing games from Elliott?

I mean, yes, of course he could. If Elliott goes cold and Allen stays hot, what else do you see happening? At the end of the day it's pretty much the same story anywhere, in any city. Elliott is the starter but all starters have a leash that gets shorter when the backup really shines. Remember Vancouver?

[ds760]

He'll be the starter in a month or 2.

[dooley89]

Not making it any easier on coaching staff tonight!

[sacdechips]

Seriously, if he does a third SHO in a row, I'll be tempted to drop my Elliott to pick him up!!

[dooley89]

Seriously, if he does a third SHO in a row, I'll be tempted to drop my Elliott to pick him up!!

Or just pick Allen up and drop Bozak lol!

[ds760]

Allen is a keeper. He was better then elliot and halak 2 years ago when he got some NHL action and he's proving it again tonight.

[Rover]

OMG jinx thread, lol! From shutout to 3 goals!