Allen’s first year as the Blues’ No.1 netminder got off to a nice start last night. Allen stopped 17 of 19 shots in the Blues’ 5-2 win over the Blackhawks. St. Louis dominated possession, which limited Allen’s workload and will allow him to go again tonight vs. the Wild. Last year the 26-year-old was 2-2-0 with a 2.24 GAA and .918 SV% in four starts against Minnesota.
Allen (leg) returned to practice on Tuesday and will start the Blues season opener on Wednesday. The 26-year-old takes over as the Blues starter with Brian Elliott now in Calgary, but his season starts off with a difficult matchup, on the road in Chicago. Allen had a .920 SV% last year and carries a career .915 SV% through 99 games. He was 2-1-0 with a 2.11 GAA and .933 SV% against Chicago last season.
Mantha made a strong case to make the Red Wings’ opening night roster, scoring three goals in five preseason games, but the Red Wings’ deep forward group will force Mantha to start the year in the AHL. The 22-year-old had 21 goals and 24 assists (45 points) in 60 games with the Griffins last season.
Allen left the final preseason game with what appeared to be an ankle injury, but the Blues announced on Monday that he appears to be OK. Allen didn’t practice on Monday, but is expected to be on the ice on Tuesday and could even play in the season opener vs. Chicago on Wednesday.
Bjugstad broke his hand during Tuesday’s preseason game against the Stars. The 24-year-old is a key face-off man and third line centre for the Panthers, but will miss at least the first month of the season.
Allen, 25, was 26-15-3 with a 2.35 GAA and .920 SV% in 44 games while splitting time with Brian Elliott in the Blues crease last season. With Elliott now in Calgary, the crease is all Allen’s and he should be an excellent fantasy option behind a strong Blues squad. Allen will get a chance to start around 60 games and he enters 2016-17 with a career 2.34 GAA and .915 SV%.
Allen missed the final three games of the regular season with a lower-body injury, but says he is 100 percent and will return as Elliott’s backup in the Blues’ series opener vs. Chicago. The Blues are set up nicely with a great goaltending duo heading into the postseason.
Allen missed the final three games of the regular season and is trying to get back before Game 1 of the playoffs. Brian Elliott has already been confirmed for that game, but having Allen back would be great insurance for the Blues. Monitor his status as the week progresses. Allen won 26 games with a 2.35 GAA and .920 SV% in the regular season.
Rodrigues, 22, was 28 points (9G / 19A) in 68 games in his first professional hockey season. He spent four years at Boston University before going to the Rochester Americans this season.
Allen suffered a lower-body injury in Sunday’s win and will miss at least one week. The Blues have three games left in the regular season, so he’ll miss all three and then be re-evaluated prior to the playoffs. The Blues will turn to Brian Elliott in goal with Anders Nilsson serving as his backup.
Allen stopped all 11 shots that he faced in the first period, but was replaced by Anders Nilsson to start the second. Allen will be reevaluated on Monday and Brian Elliott is expected to start vs. the Coyotes.
Brown, 22, had one goal and five assists (six points) in seven games during his call-up. He heads back to the Marlies, where he has 24 points (9G / 15A) in 28 games.
Allen allowed five goals on 26 shots in the Blues loss in Edmonton on March 16th. Allen started every game while Brian Elliott was out, but Elliott has returned to post three consecutive shutouts, but Allen will start on the tail-end of a back-to-back. He has allowed a combined nine goals in his last two starts and draws a tough matchup vs. the NHL’s top team.
Allen was yanked after allowing four goals on 17 shots in the Blues loss in Calgary on Monday. The loss snapped a six-game losing streak for Allen, who is now 11-5-2 with a 2.78 GAA and .915 SV% on the road this season. Despite a rough loss, he remains a strong option tonight in Edmonton—the Oilers have lost four of their last six games.
