Who could have predicted, before the start of the season, that the Montreal Canadiens would win five of their nine games in October? Probably few people. And who would have suggested that goalkeeper Jake Allen would be one of the main reasons for his success? Maybe even fewer people.
Allen’s work during the first month of the season was crowned with his selection as the recipient of the Molson Cup for the Habs’ October split.
The team made the announcement in a press release Monday morning.
Allen was named the first star of the game on two occasions, on October 21 against the Washington Capitals and two days later against the Buffalo Sabres. He also earned the third star on October 28 against the Winnipeg Jets.
In four games played in October, the 33-year-old goaltender had a 3-0-1 record, in addition to maintaining a goals-against average of 2.63.
His save percentage of .930 ranks him seventh in the NHL among goaltenders who have played at least four games during this period.
“He’s playing really well for us,” praised defenseman Mike Matheson Monday after the Canadian’s training session, held exceptionally at the Bell Center because it was team photo day.
“He won games for us. We are lucky to have him in front of the net,” he added.
Allen accomplished all this in a context that is not obvious, since the Canadian remains with three goalkeepers in the team’s entourage, with Samuel Montembeault and Cayden Primeau.
Allen, a veteran, seems to have managed to adapt to the situation.
“Things are what they are. “That’s the situation all three of us find ourselves in, and you want to be as ready as possible when you’re called upon,” noted Allen, who became the 14e active goaltender to reach the milestone of 400 games in the NHL on November 2 during a 3-2 loss against the Arizona Coyotes.
“There’s no doubt it’s different. I don’t think any of us have ever experienced a three-guard situation. But at the same time, you try to find ways to stay prepared. We are all here with a common goal for the group. It’s a different task, for sure, but you manage it and adapt. If you don’t accept it in a positive way, then you won’t be successful. »
After a near-perfect October, during which he won his last three starts, Allen suffered his first setback in regulation last Thursday in Arizona.
This failure followed a defeat by the Canadian against the Vegas Golden Knights, three days earlier, and preceded another setback, this one in St. Louis, against the Blues on Saturday evening.
Montembeault was the goalie during the other two parts of this trip.
“Obviously we weren’t as effective on this trip as we were at home. We can’t slow down. We’re at a point where the goal is to build something and get better with every release,” Allen explained.
“Not every game will be perfect. But at the same time, we have to find ways, when things are not going as well as we wanted, to go through the matches in the right way,” also remarked the Habs goalkeeper.
However, the Canadian will begin a week of four games in six days by hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday evening. According to Allen, this is a good opportunity to revive the team.
“(This trip) was a good test for us, and now it’s nice to be back at home, especially with a good team coming here (Tuesday). It’s a good way to get the team going again, playing against a good club,” added Allen.