Jaroslav Halak won't play in Game 4 - ESPN

Updated: April 18, 2012, 6:37 PM ET

By Pierre LeBrun | EPSN.com

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak did not take part in practice Wednesday as a suspected ankle injury keeps him on the shelf in St. Louis' Western Conference quarterfinals series against the San Jose Sharks.

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"He's not going to play obviously (Thursday)," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said after practice. "He skated yesterday. So we'll just keep him working back towards here sometime, but right now he's just not available. So Brian (Elliott)'s the guy."

Elliott has been rock solid since taking over early in the second period of Game 2 when Halak was injured.

"We've had confidence in (Elliott) since Day 1," Hitchcock said.

"I don't think a lot bothers him. And if it does bother him, he shakes it off pretty quickly. He's got good focus."

The Blues are not planning on making any lineup changes from Game 3, which they won to take a 2-1 series lead over the Sharks.

"Same lineup but I think you'll see a different rotation," Hitchcock said.

Pierre LeBrun

NHL

• Covers the NHL for ESPN.com and TSN of Canada
• Six years on the "Hockey Night In Canada" Hotstove panel
• 13 years at The Canadian Press National News Agency