Its been a question that’s been bugging Blues’ fans all week: who will start in goal for the Blues during Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
And now it has been answered.
Jake Allen will start.
It was confirmed by Allen himself Wednesday morning, who was informed that he would start Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Wild.
“It was a pretty cool feeling to be honest. Definitely wouldn’t be thinking I’d be starting Game 1 at start of year,” Allen said.
“I’m only 24 & I’ve been through a lot. I felt every game for me has been a big game,” he added.
The St. Louis Blues’ official Twitter account reiterated Allen’s confirmed message a little past 11:30 a.m. The announcement puts Brian Elliott as the backup goalie for tomorrow’s match-up, and the Blues have also brought in Niklas Lundstrom as an emergency goalie. And despite getting the start over his more experienced teammate, Allen made clear he and Elliott have a great bond that hasn’t changed, stating “we have a great relationship and we support each other no matter what.”
Allen, 24, started 37 games this season. In those 37 games, he had a impressive record of 22 wins, seven losses, along with four overtime losses. He allowed 79 goals on 909 shots, and also made 830 saves, along with his GAA of 2.28 and four shutouts throughout the season.
His save percentage this season was .913%, putting him in the top 30 of all goalies in the NHL.
The team’s decision to start Allen has been met with much positive reception, as the young goalie prepares for his first ever NHL postseason start (he made an appearance in the playoffs three years ago against the Los Angeles Kings, but did not start).
Game 1 between the Blues and Wild starts at 8:30 p.m. tomorrow night at the Scottrade Center.
(Photo: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports )
