Jake Allen Leaves Game Late First Period With Habs Down 2-0

Montreal Canadiens goalie Jake Allen tried to play through an apparent injury suffered in the first period of the Canadiens’ game against the Bruins in Boston Wednesday night.

As the cameras cut to the final commercial break of the first period, Allen was caught on camera chatting with a Montreal Canadiens trainer before eventually nodding his head, looking up at backup Sam Montebeault, and then leaving the ice. Montembeault replaced him in the net with the Bruins leading 2-0.

La séquence où Jake Allen s'est blessé! 😬#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/025KttZPP2

— Keven Mawn (@Mawnster1997) January 13, 2022

It was unclear from any replays what Allen’s injury was but after the Montreal Canadiens fell down 2-0 on Brad Marchand’s second goal that beat Allen through the five-hole, the Habs goalie got up slowly.

Allen was playing in his first game since Dec. 14 after spending close to a month in COVID-19 protocol. The Montreal Canadiens goalie who was cast into the starter’s role due to Carey Price battling back from a torn meniscus and spending time in the NHL’s player assistance program last month to receive treatment for substance abuse has done his best to backbone this team through a miserable season so far.

In the midst of a dismal season for the Montreal Canadiens, Allen, who came into the game with a 5-15-2 record, a 3.10 GAA, and a .903 save percentage, has stepped up as a leader for the younger Habs players.

“Just by the way he works and the way he comes in every day, competing and working hard and working on his game,” Montreal Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme said when asked about Allen’s leadership recently. “Every time he was in net, battling in there, giving us opportunities to get points or win games. Always doing everything he needs to get ready. Without saying a word, a lot of our players can look up to Jake and see a real pro and a guy that competes every day.”