The history of the sport is replete with examples where a player took advantage of an opening when a teammate got injured to snatch the starting role from him. That may be what Samuel Montembeault has achieved in recent weeks, but that’s not what will bother veteran Jake Allen.
The Montreal Canadiens demoted goaltender Cayden Primeau to the Laval Rocket on Wednesday, in addition to making Allen available to the media. These are two signs that the 32-year-old New Brunswicker is healthy again, although he was unable to confirm whether he would face the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night at the Center Bell.
Under other circumstances, it would have been natural for Allen to find his net quickly, having recovered from an upper-body injury that sent him to the sidelines on January 9. But in his absence, Montembeault maintained a .930 save percentage and allowed 20 goals in eight outings. The Canadiens are 4-4-0 for that span.
“I have no expectations,” Allen said Wednesday. Sam does his things and I do mine. When I get my turn in goal, and I don’t know when that will happen, I will try to be myself. »
“I want Sam to keep going because that’s what’s best for the team,” he continued.
Head coach Martin St-Louis did not meet the media on Wednesday. The suspense regarding the identity of the starting goaltender for the Canadian against the Red Wings has therefore been extended by 24 hours.
The Canadian will then play two games against the Ottawa Senators, before his long break from the All-Star Game.
There aren’t many goalkeepers like Carey Price or Andrei Vasilevskiy who are gifted. Others need to gain experience and confidence and eventually figure out what will work for them.
Allen admitted he was hoping to get at least one start before the break. For the rest, he insists that he is one of Montembeault’s supporters.
“We often talk about internal competition, that guys will push each other. I think the idea is more about focusing on what’s best for the team,” Allen said. Yes, we are proud competitors on the ice. But a goalkeeper wants to be the best version of himself, to be as useful as possible to the team. »
“I know there are goalkeepers who see it the wrong way and who are going to be angry at another’s success. But I’m super happy for Sam. He’s doing really good things for the band. The guys have been working hard in front of him for a few games despite the numerous injuries. It gives them confidence,” added Allen.
Allen belongs to the category of goaltenders who needed time to establish themselves in the NHL. He played four seasons in the American Hockey League to polish his game, then won the starting goalie position for the St. Louis Blues at age 24.
He then lost it to Jordan Binnington, who spent five seasons in the minors before guiding the Blues to the Stanley Cup at the age of 25.
In Allen’s eyes, there is therefore nothing abnormal to see Montembeault living his best moments in the NHL at the age of 26.
“There aren’t a lot of goalies like Carey Price or Andrei Vasilevskiy who are gifted. Others need to gain experience and confidence and eventually figure out what’s going to work for them,” Allen said.
In this regard, Allen pointed out that Montembeault seemed more patient on his skates.
He also said he quickly noticed the athletic qualities of the Bécancour native when the Canadiens obtained him from the Florida Panthers on waivers in October 2021.
Allen is still under contract for two more seasons with the Canadiens. It’s more realistic for him to share the net almost equally with Montembeault over the next few campaigns rather than find himself squarely in the No. 1 or 2 chair, since that’s the general trend across the NHL.
He is also aware that Primeau will also have his chance with the big club, even if the injuries and poor performances start to accumulate in his case.
Primeau, 23, played one spell with the Bleu-Blanc-Rouge this season — on January 19, he conceded one goal on seven shots in a 2-6 loss against the Florida Panthers at the Bell Centre.
In the American League, he is 4-6-3 in 13 games with the Rocket, along with a 3.65 goals-against-average and .890 save percentage.
Despite everything, Allen also praised the qualities of Primeau.
“I believe that technically and physically, he has better skills than me! It’s all about experience and developing your skills in your game, and that takes time,” Allen said.
“With Sam playing well, if the situation doesn’t change, they could be the duo of the future,” he added.
In the meantime, Allen will enjoy every start with the Canadiens, he who admitted to having found the time long every time he found himself in the infirmary over the past two years.