The St. Louis Blues needed Brian Elliott to be great in order to come back against the L.A. Kings. He was not. He was not good or even average. The Kings took a commanding 3-0 series lead with their 4-2 win against the Blues in game three.
The lone goal of the first period began the poor play of Elliott. Justin Williams attempted shot was sliding wide, but the floundering out of position Blues goalie kicked the puck into the back of his own net for an early Kings lead.
Just over a minute into the second period the Blues had some life. Jonathan Quick got a taste of the Chris Stewart special. Driving down the boards and toward the net, Stewart had Quick thinking he was going to cut across the crease. Instead he backhanded it behind Quick to tie the game.
However, forty seconds later the Kings took the lead right back. Springing loose after a misplay by Carlo Colaiacovo, Dwight King came in on Elliott and sent a quick wrister toward the net. While the shot was not off the ice, it was still good enough to beat the slow leg pad of Elliott.
Midway through the second the Kings struck for the first power play goal of the series. It was another bad goal allowed by Elliott. Mike Richards stood on the goal line eight feet away from the net and took a shot. Not covering the post, Elliott stood frustrated when the puck bounced off his pad behind him.
Early in the third, Stewart again tried to give the Blues life. With a rebound sitting in the crease, Stewart dove for it and got enough of his stick on the puck to slip it by Quick for his second goal of the game and second goal of the playoffs.
The fire Stewart may have ignited in his club was doused by another soft goal allowed by his net minder a few minutes later.
Setting up in the slot, Drew Doughty sent in a shot that trickled through the five hole of Elliott killing any momentum the Blues may have gained.
All four King goals could have been stopped by the Blues keeper. In the playoffs, all four goals should have been stopped by the Blues keeper.
Up Next: Blues face elimination Sunday in game four.