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More saves than expected: Jake Allen ranks first in the NHL

 Manuel Sperandio-Lemay
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More saves than expected: Jake Allen ranks first in the NHL
We already knew that, but Jake Allen is off to an excellent start this season.

In his last two games, he stopped 78 of 82 shots. In both games, despite the absence of the defense, he won. Allen has yet to lose in regulation time this season, in four starts.

If he continues to play like this, he could interest many teams in the coming weeks/months. Will Buffalo, as Brian Wilde thinks, enter the derby?

In the NHL, the Canadiens’ goaltender ranks 12th in average efficiency (.930) and 21st in goals-against average (2.63).

These two categories aren’t the only ones that demonstrate Allen’s dominance. In fact, as JFresh shows, he’s the NHL’s top goaltender for the number of better-than-expected saves.

He stopped nearly 10 shots that should have been goals.

And as a team, Montreal has a much better goals scored/allowed differential than expected. He’s much more opportunistic than his opponents, then.

Cayden Primeau certainly contributed to this figurewith his save against New Jersey.

But for Allen, despite a tough first game in Toronto, where he allowed five goals on 42 shots, he bounced back nicely thereafter, winning all three of his games. He’s currently the team’s number one.

The problem: he’s not the one who has to play.

Samuel Montembeault and Primeau, who are younger and more the future of the team, need playing time to develop. But with the veteran’s start to the season, it’s hard not to play him.

The three-goal rotation is complicated, and it will be interesting to see if Kent Hughes moves soon. Will Primeau go to the lottery? Will Allen be traded? Stay tuned.

Montreal heads west for three games. Monday in Vegas, Thursday in Arizona and Saturday in St. Louis. Will the three goalkeepers make the trip with their teammates? We’ll have to keep an eye on that, too. One thing is certain: the three-man rotation must stop and/or Primeau must play. An average game against one of the NHL’s strongest teams won’t convince other teams to acquire him…

How many points, out of a possible six, will the CH, which is off to a great start this season, collect?


In gusto

– Lions defeat.

– Buffalo whitewashes the Avalanche.

– The Flames are ready.

– Very funny.

– Well done.

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