from Jeremy P. Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,
Ken Hitchcock is not opposed to using the NHL’s new coaches’ challenge, but since clubs lose their only timeout of the game if a review goes against them, he’s willing to do anything to preserve it.
Even riling up his goaltenders.
On two occasions this season, Hitchcock has pulled Jake Allen or Brian Elliott from the game briefly, buying time for his team without burning a timeout. The latest instance happened in the second period of Saturday’s 4-1 loss to Toronto, after the Maple Leafs took a 3-1 lead.
Allen was called to the Blues’ bench and looked frustrated by the move. Replaced by Elliott, he was off the ice for 2 minutes, 8 seconds before returning.
“I don’t think they’re OK with it,” Hitchcock said. “I don’t think so, but I’m not wasting (a timeout) until I need it. Just get back in and play. Hey, you’re going out, get back in and play. Nothing you can do about it.”
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