St. Louis Blues goalie Jaroslav Halak was a late scratch from Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Kings, despite being on the ice for pre-game warmups. Halak was scheduled to start, but Brian Elliott got the call. Halak re-aggravated the groin injury that has sidelined him for the previous three-plus games. Elliott and the Blues suffered a 4-1 loss.
AUDIO Ken Hitchcock calls this the “homestand from hell.” (2:37)
Jeff Carter scored twice, and the Kings won for only the second time in six games, and did it with their backup goalie in the net after coming off a game less than 24 hours against Detroit.
It was the Blues’ fourth loss in a row on home ice and fifth in a row (0-4-1).
Jonathan Bernier picked up his first win of the season in only his second start by stopping 21 shots. Davis Drewiske and Jarret Stoll added goals for L.A. Alex Steen scored a power play goal late in the second for the Blues only goal.
Elliott dropped to 3-5-1 on the season with a 3.57 goals-against average and .849 save percentage, and said he didn’t find out until five minutes before the game that he would be in goal.
“It’s a little tough,” Elliott said. “I usually always prepare the night before and you know going into the pre-game skate what you’re going to be facing.”
For the Blues, they face an even bigger hill to climb. Four of their next five games are on the road.