A Winning Habit
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3 Reasons Why the Montreal Canadiens Will Make the Playoffs This Year

By Joseph Gentile

Aug 16, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens interim head coach Kirk Muller during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 16, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Montreal Canadiens interim head coach Kirk Muller during the third period of game three of the first round of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Philadelphia Flyers at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 08: Jake Allen (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 08: Jake Allen (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Reason #1: Jake Allen

Last year, Carey Price appeared in a total of 58 games (27-25-6), posting a 2.79 GAA and a .909 save percentage. Not bad numbers for a starting goalie on a team who conceded more goals than they could score. However, those numbers are not what we expect from the former Hart and Vezina winner. 58 games are an unacceptable number of games played for the 33-year-old veteran.

However, life in the bubble was different for Price. After going 5-5 in 10 games, he put up numbers we had not seen from him in a while (.936 GAA, 1.78 SV%). Even though it is a small sample size, we can see just what Price can really do when he is rested and healthy.

Marc Bergevin started his offseason with a bang acquiring former Blues starting goaltender and Stanley Cup champion Jake Allen. Despite losing his starting gig to rookie goaltender Jordan Binnington in 2019, Allen had previously shown himself to have what it takes to be a reliable tandem goaltender in this league. Last year was his first season being a full-time backup goaltender for the Blues, going 12-6-3, while posting a 2.15 GAA and .927 save percentage in 24 appearances for the team.

The Montreal Canadiens’ trio of backups last season (Kinkaid, Lindgren, Primeau) posted a lowly .889 save percentage in 14 games combined (4-6-3). It is safe to say that Allen is a definite upgrade by comparison. He will be a really big help to the team, especially during multiple back-to-back scenarios (8 total to be exact).

If HC Claude Julien can rely on Allen to give him quality starts in a rather condensed schedule, we can expect to see Price’s numbers improve due to rest. This will allow the team to have a better chance at winning on a nightly basis.

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