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Arch Awards: Who Was the MVP of St. Louis Sports in 2016?

By Patrick Karraker

Aug 8, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) celebrates after being hit by a pitch by Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Ross Ohlendorf (not pictured) allowing the game winning run to score during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) celebrates after being hit by a pitch by Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Ross Ohlendorf (not pictured) allowing the game winning run to score during the ninth inning at Busch Stadium. The Cardinals won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Brian Elliott St. Louis Blues
May 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Blues goalie Brian Elliott (1) defends the net against the San Jose Sharks in game two of the Western Conference Final of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoff at Scottrade Center. The Sharks won the game 4-0. Mandatory Credit: Billy Hurst-USA TODAY Sports /

Brian Elliott, G, St. Louis Blues

These days, it seems like Brian Elliott’s time with the Blues ended ages ago. It’s important to remember, though, how valuable Elliott was earlier this year as the Blues advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2000-01.

While Elliott settled into a legitimate backup role more than he he ever had before during the early part of the 2015-16 season, he earned another opportunity after an injury to Jake Allen, taking over as the Blues’ unquestioned starter during the early part of January. “Moose” started 18 straight games from January 9 to February 22, going 12-3-2 over that period.

Allen’s return coincided with an injury to Elliott that caused the veteran netminder to miss 10 games. Elliott returned on March 25 in Vancouver and immediately became dominant once again, recording three straight shutouts in his first three games back. He ended the regular season with a .930 save percentage (second-best in the NHL), 2.07 goals-against average, and four shutouts in 42 games.

Elliott went on to start 18 of 20 games for the Blues on their playoff run. While his final numbers–a 9-9 record, 2.44 GAA, and .921 save percentage–didn’t do a great job of reflecting his postseason performance, he was dominant during the first round. After opening the postseason by shutting out the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1, he went on to earn two twins in games where he faced 40 or more shots during that series. Ultimately, the best indication of his ability was that he enabled the Blues to win two postseason series–two more than they’d won in the previous three seasons.

Elliott was dealt to Calgary this summer as the Blues sought to establish Jake Allen as their full-time starter, and while he hasn’t been great for the Flames this year, there have definitely been points where it’s looked like the Blues could’ve used him. Whatever the case, he was an indispensable member of the team during 2015-16, and you could make a very strong case that he was the primary component in allowing them to reach the Western Conference Finals.

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