Does Jake Allen have what it takes to be number one with the Tricolore?
When Marc Bergevin traded for goaltender Jake Allen, the GM knew he had gotten his hands on a great second goalie. A Stanley Cup winner in 2019, Allen was dethroned by Jordan Binnington in St. Louis that same year.
The situation is quite different today in Montreal with Carey Price sidelined indefinitely. It is Allen who will have to take over the number one goaltender position, and this, maybe for a few months.
Allen's experience with the Blues will be extremely useful in this role. The Fredericton native played four seasons as the number one goaltender for the St. Louis Blues.
In his career, the former second round pick in 2008 has a .909 save percentage as the number one goaltender. Allen, on the other hand, has compiled a higher efficiency rate as the No. 2 goalie (.916%).
Former goaltender and analyst Eric Fichaud made no secret of the fact that the goaltender will have to be superior to give the Tricolore a chance to win every night.
"In his last year with the Blues, he had been very, very good and I consider that he still had a good season last year, but he will have to take his game to another level."
It's true to say that the 31-year-old goalie seems more comfortable when he's acting as an auxiliary. However, when Carey Price was out last year, Allen held down the fort and was one of the reasons the Habs made the playoffs.
Since arriving in Montreal, Allen has posted a 2.68 goals against average and a .907 save percentage in 29 games. The goaltender will certainly be used heavily in the early stages of the season and will see his games played counter increase quickly.
Going into the season, all indications are that the goaltending tandem will be Allen and Montembeault. Do you think the CH can go all the way with this goaltending duo?
