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Blues’ playoff lead shrinks after another rough night for Jake Allen

Jake Allen

St. Louis Blues goalie Jake Allen is slow to get up after giving up a goal to Washington Capitals’ T.J. Oshie during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

AP

So, it looks like the All-Star break didn’t provide any answers for Jake Allen or the St. Louis Blues.

At least, that’s the takeaway if you consider results alone, as Allen struggled once more and the Winnipeg Jets beat the Blues 5-3 on Tuesday. Allen allowed four goals on just 23 shots, losing in his first start since Jan. 19.

Judging by quotes from Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Blues seemed remarkably even-keeled after the defeat. Maybe they merely believe there was only so much they could do, much like Allen may have viewed this goal by Nikolaj Ehlers?

Ken Hitchcock deemed it a step in the right direction and also noted that Allen would get the start on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Allen seemed very positive as well.

“I felt pretty good, honestly,” Allen said, according to Rutherford. “It wasn’t the result we wanted. But for my sake, I honestly felt pretty good.”

Here’s an artist’s depiction of Allen and Hitchcock reacting to Tuesday’s loss.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

All kidding aside, while the Blues currently find themselves in one of the West’s wild card spots, their cushion has basically evaporated.

Wild card ranks as of this writing

1. Kings - 54 points in 50 games
2. Blues - 53 points in 50 GP

Flames - 53 in 52
Canucks - 52 in 50
Stars - 52 in 51
Jets - 52 in 53

Yikes.