Canadiens: Is Jake Allen’s Injury A Cause For Concern?
The Canadiens’ list of injuries were so long throughout the season that it seems we forgot about Jake Allen. The goaltender re-injured his groin for the third time this season after being taken out of the game agains the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday in favor of another injured goaltender, Samuel Montembeault.
With 10 games left to the season and Carey Price set to comeback when he deems to be ready, tt appears now that Allen’s season is all but over.
Just bumped into Jake Allen, who’s quite frustrated about getting hurt again tonight. “Season from hell,” he said. This guy has given it his all, and this is a tough break.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) April 10, 2022
In 10 games and less than a period since returning from a groin injury on Mar. 17, Jake Allen faced a total of 415 shots.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) April 10, 2022
Martin St. Louis and goaltending coach Eric Raymond seemed dead set to start Allen in as many games as possible. Ken MacMillan also raised the question in a recent article.
The only logical explanation behind Allen getting the bulk of the starts is because of Samuel Montembeault’s apparent wrist injury. The worst kept secret were ones of the wrist, as both Montembeault and Jonathan Drouin have been dealing with wrist issues for the bulk of the season.
Drouin by the way, had successful surgery and will be out for the remainder of the season.
Jonathan Drouin underwent wrist surgery on Friday.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 10, 2022
He is expected to make a full recovery and will be ready for the start of training camp.
The team also announced that Cayden Primeau has been called up to replace Jake Allen.
Les Canadiens ont procédé au rappel du gardien Cayden Primeau du Rocket de Laval.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 10, 2022
The Canadiens have recalled goaltender Cayden Primeau from the Laval Rocket.#GoHabsGo
Calling up Primeau is an interesting move since the Laval Rocket are also facing the final 10 games of their season, with their next 5 games being played in 8 days. Kevin Poulin is expected to receive the bulk of the starts while Tristan Berube, who played the season with the Trois-Rivieres Lions, will be the backup as he is on a AHL Professional Tryout Contract.
The injury to Jake Allen is something to look at very seriously. I doubt that he was rushed back as the team has been very careful with sending players back too quickly this season. However, Allen has received 40+ shots against him in 60% of his starts. That’s a lot of rubber.
So now we’re left with the question of “Has Jake Allen suddenly become injury prone?”. I think it’s just bad luck in his case as the 31 year old doesn’t have a history of significant injuries. All in all, like most players on the team, he’s having the worst season of his career.
With Allen out, now the Canadiens will be looking towards Carey Price more than ever to see if he’s finally ready to go. Once Price returns the team will have to make a decision to either stick with Montembeault for the remainder of the season and send Primeau back to Laval as they are in a dog fight for a playoff spot. Or, Price returns and Primeau becomes the backup ultimately finally shutting Montembeault down for the season.
Once the season is over we’ll be left with even more questions. The team will have Carey Price, Jake Allen, Samuel Montembeault, Cayden Primeau and Kevin Poulin as their goaltenders. Poulin will likely remain with the Rocket but what of Primeau’s development? Isn’t he supposed to be the goalie of the future for the Canadiens? Will Price be back to full form next season? Will Jake Allen be traded? Will Samuel Montembeault walk towards free agency?
There will be no shortage of action this summer, that’s for sure.
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