With Carey Price out, the Canadiens’ spotlight falls on Jake Allen

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The spotlight shines brightly on the Canadiens’ number one goalkeeper.

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That spotlight has been on Jake Allen this season as Carey Price works to get back into physical and mental shape after spending 30 days in the NHL / NHLPA player assistance program and announcing that he has fought against the use of substances.

Allen has played in 12 of the Canadiens’ first 14 games and is 3-8-1 with an average of 2.93 goals against and a .901 save percentage.

“It was great to see him back yesterday,” Allen said of Price. “He came and talked to all of us as a group and obviously we haven’t seen him in a while. He just explained what was going on and where he was and what his plan is to move forward and what he is going to do with this team. Just hearing his voice and seeing him around I think it was a relief for a lot of guys. It’s good to see a familiar face like that, especially when someone is having a difficult time.

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“He seemed happy, he seemed light, just that light energy around him,” Allen added. “It was good to see. It was a good statement he made yesterday. and my wife showed it to me last night. He is working his way back. Again, we are not sure when exactly he will return. But as he told us yesterday, he will do his best to get back to this group as quickly as possible. It means a lot to this team, this organization, but it also wants to do well. He wants to come back in the right way, with the right mindset and with his skills on the ice. “

Allen praised Price for seeking the help he needs.

“I always think you want to be a better person than a hockey player, for example,” Allen said. “That is always the number one goal and we are the people first. Yes, you have a pedestal to do a lot of great things, especially with the opportunity that we have to play in the NHL, not only on ice but also off ice. Carey has done so many wonderful things on ice throughout his career, internationally, here. But I think he is also on a pedestal and it should be noted that he does something brave as he just did. We’ve seen a lot of people in the past sit around and do nothing about it, but he stepped up and did something about it.

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“I think it will most likely change your life for the better and it just goes to show that it can happen to anyone,” Allen added. “It doesn’t matter if you are a hockey player, one of the best goalkeepers in the world, he did what he had to do to improve himself, his children, his wife and ultimately this team as well. I think we’ll see a great version of Carey Price every time he hits the ice with us again and is excited to see him. “

Allen is in his ninth season in the NHL, but only his second in Montreal after spending seven years with the St. Louis Blues. He agreed that the spotlight in St. Louis is not as bright as the one it occupies now.

“There is external pressure, but also internal pressure,” Allen said. “I think there is pressure in all markets, but obviously it’s a little bit higher here from an external perspective.”

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