St. Louis Blues: Brian Elliott vs. Corey Crawford Fight Night

To say that Brian Elliott vs. Corey Crawford has been a heavyweight fight would be incorrect simply because of how well they’ve played. Heavyweight fights rarely live up to the hype, so this battle has been more like the undercard fight that wows everyone in the crowd.

Continuing with the fight theme, these two battlers fit the profile of the lower weight classes whether you’re talking about boxing or UFC. They don’t get the hype or recognition of the big names like Henrik Lundqvist, Roberto Luongo or even Marc-Andre Fleury, but they’ve outplayed all of those big names and then some.

Corey Crawford has won multiple Stanley Cups and sometimes doesn’t even get the proper recognition in his own city. Brian Elliott has long been labeled as a career backup or a solid 1b goaltender. When it has mattered most this season, both have stepped up big time.

Round One went to Elliott, but it could have been said to be a split decision. The game ended 1-0 in favor of the St. Louis Blues, but it was only a deflected shot off a Chicago defenseman that did in Crawford. Elliott was stellar though, stopping 35 of 35. Crawford, though not tested as much also stood tall stopping all 17 shots faced until that final one went in.

Crawford answered back in the next round (game). The Chicago Blackhawks won the game by a score of 3-2 and Crawford was a big reason. He turned aside 29 of 31 shots, landing a solid blow to the head of the Blues. Elliott was again absorbing the body blows at a high rate, taking 28 but seeing three go by.

Then round three. The goaltenders, if compared to fighters, saw the fists come at them with fury and reckless abandon. 82 shots were taken and 77 turned away. Elliott won the round both in the game and the battle. Again he took the brunt of things saving 44 shots and out dueling his more playoff seasoned counterpart.

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The Blues and Elliott had a shocking turn of events in the next game/round. Elliott allowed three goals, his most in this playoff run, but he also turned away 39 shots including several scoring chances by the Hawks. Crawford didn’t have his best showing, allowing the Blues to get into his head a little bit. He allowed four goals on 20 shots, essentially taking a big black eye from that portion of the bout.

Ironically, for this comparison, Crawford actually got into a bit of a scuffle as well. Unfortunately for the fans there would not be a goalie vs. goalie fight, but Robby Fabbri ended up getting the brunt of Crawford’s rage.

Crawford, for all his faults and craziness in the previous game had his cutman open up that swollen eye and he came back in Rocky-esque fashion. The Blues pounded the Chicago net with 46 shots. While three of them did get behind Crawford, he stood on his head several times throughout the game, not only winning the contest but keeping his team alive. Elliott did his best to deal the finisher but four goals got behind him on 35 shots giving the Blackhawks a chance to catch their breath.

These two netminders have surpassed the expectations. While this has only been a first round match, it is quite reminiscent of the outstanding duel between Patrick Roy and John Vanbiesbrouk in 1996. Every stop answered with another by the other.

Next: Blues Inconsistency Returns

Facing each other and their respective teams has been equivalent to a championship bout. Punch and counter punch, every move answered in kind by the opponent. In a potential seven round fight, the edge currently belongs with Brian Elliott and the St. Louis Blues may need him to land a haymaker or apply the triangle chokehold for them to win this series.

It’s been thrilling to watch for goaltending fans. No doubt these two will duke it out until the very end.

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