Former Canadiens Goaltender Sets Unprecedented NHL Record
The former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jake Allen set an unprecedented NHL record with the New Jersey Devils on Monday night in a game against the Utah Hockey Club.
Last summer in New Jersey, General Manager Tom Fitzgerald completely revamped the Devils' goaltending unit. He started by parting ways with Vitek Vanacek and Mackenzie Blackwood before acquiring Markstrom and Jake Allen.
Markstrom, the team's number one goalie, has a 2-2 record in four games this season, while Allen dressed up for two and is undefeated. On Monday night, he faced the Utah Hockey Club and blocked all the shots fired by the new NHL team to get his first shutout of the season.
With that amazing performance, Allen set a new NHL record! Not only did he become the first goaltender to beat the Utah HC, but he was also the first one to win against 33 NHL franchises.
Per NHL.com:
With the Vegas Golden Knights and Seattle Kraken expansions, and the Arizona Coyotes' relocation to Utah, Allen is the only goalie in the League to have won against 33 teams.
Interestingly, Allen came into the League in 2012, a year after the Atlanta Thrashers' relocation to Winnipeg. If he had been a year younger, he could've been the only goalie to beat 34 franchises.
Allen was traded at the 2024 deadline by the Montreal Canadiens, after spending the last four seasons being a key member in their rebuild. In the past, he's been acclaimed for his consistency and great character on and off the ice.
If he can maintain the same level of performance all season long, the Devils could have one of the best number two goalies in the League.
The New Jersey Devils will be back in action tomorrow to face the Senators in Ottawa. Jacob Markstrom should get the start, but with the way Allen has been playing, it wouldn't be surprising to see the former Montreal Canadiens be sent on the ice for Saturday's game against the Washington Capitals.
Either way, the Devils' new head coach knows he can rely on both of his goalies to give his team a chance to win every night, something not all NHL teams can count on at the moment.
