Jake Allen may have ruined the Canadiens’ playoff hopes this season

Where I’m going with all this is towards the following question: when you look at what the two goalies have been doing since Allen’s departure… you almost wonder if the veteran hasn’t ruined Montreal’s hopes of making the playoff race this season.

Allen has done an honest job since arriving in New Jersey, but in Montreal, he’s only tasted victory six times in 21 outings.

I know the ménage à trois wasn’t easy for him, but of the three Montreal goalkeepers, he’s the one with the worst numbers this season, by far.

With Montembeault and Primeau having more wins than losses (in regulation time) on their record this season, it’s not ridiculous to imagine where the Habs would be if Allen had maintained such a pace… or if Montembeault and Primeau had assumed the entire starting lineup.

For the sake of argument, if Allen had maintained a record similar to that of his two former teammates (say, 10-8-3), the Habs would have eight more points in the bank… and their 78 points would give them a slim chance of making the playoffs.

It may be harsh to say that the Habs would have made the playoffs if Allen hadn’t played a single game this season, and who knows if Montembeault and Primeau would have maintained such numbers over 82 games. That said, seeing both guys enjoy so much success immediately after the end of the three-way makes it not completely crazy to think that might have been the case.

And whatever might have happened in 2023-24… it at least opens the door to seeing the Habs back in the playoff hunt next year.

In gusto

– This will be one to watch.

– Jordan Dumais’ absence cost the Mooseheads dearly.

– He’ll return to action tomorrow after a six-game suspension.

– A thorough correction.

– Good news for the Yankees.