Jake Allen might be returning to a starter's role after all.

The league's hottest goaltender, Brian Elliott, exited with a lower-body injury Monday versus the San Jose Sharks after awkwardly twisting to the ice in an attempt to reach back and prevent a puck from trickling into the net.

He tested the injury, performing some movements in the crease, but had to make way for Allen, who was thrust into goal a day after being activated from injured reserve. He missed 17 games with a lower-body injury himself.

Elliott won 12 games in his counterpart's absence, and in the process shot to the league lead among active goaltenders in both save percentage (.932) and goals-against average (2.06) heading into Monday's contest.

A significant injury would render the Blues once again thin in goal, of course, but they remain in good hands. Allen's .924 clip before his setback represents a top-10 rate among goaltenders with at least 30 appearances.

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