Allen allowed two goals on 21 shots in the Blues; win over the Wild last Thursday. Allen won each of his first two starts in easy fashion. He has only faced 40 shots so far this season and has turned aside 36 of them (.900 SV%). Tonight Allen is a must-start against a Vancouver team that has gotten off to a surprise 2-0-0 start, but should be beatable tonight.
Hellebuyck gave up four goals on 27 shots in the Jets’ overtime win over the Hurricanes on Thursday. Michael Hutchinson started Saturday, but they will go back to Hellebuyck tonight vs. the Bruins. The Jets are the worst possession team in the NHL through two games, which doesn’t bode well for Hellebuyck on Monday.
Hellebuyck gave up four goals on 27 shots in the Jets’ overtime win over the Hurricanes on Thursday. Michael Hutchinson started Saturday, but it looks like they will go back to Hellebuyck tonight vs. the Bruins. The Jets are the worst possession team in the NHL through two games, which doesn’t bode well for Hellebuyck on Monday.
Meier was injured in the Sharks’ preseason and wasn’t expected to be ready until the end of October. He will probably get up-to-speed with the Barracuda before he is recalled by the Sharks.
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.
Hellebuyck split last year between the NHL and the AHL and was impressive at both levels. While with Manitoba (AHL) he was 13-15-1 with a 2.49 GAA and .922 SV%. His numbers actually improved with the Jets, having gone 13-11-0 with a 2.34 GAA and .918 SV%. His promising future allowed the Jets to waive Ondrej Pavelec, who is now in Manitoba. The future in goal starts tonight vs. the Hurricanes. The Hurricanes should be better this year than they were last year, but Hellebuyck remains a solid option tonight.
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.
Hellebuyck is the goalie of the future in Winnipeg and they know that, so that’s why the waived Ondrej Pavelec this afternoon and named Hellebuyck to the opening night roster. Hellebuyck had 13 wins with a 2.34 GAA and .918 SV% in his first NHL season and should serve as their No.1 netminder ahead of Michael Hutchinson this season. Hellebuyck gets a huge bump in goalie rankings following this latest development.
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.
