Jake Allen is doing something lately that he hasn't done in a while for the St. Louis Blues. He is stringing together consistent, reliable games, in which the Blues are given every chance to win.
It has been a while since the Blues have witnessed this level of play from the Fredericton, New Brunswick native. The story behind Jake Allen's struggles is well known in St. Louis, despite them starting long before he joined the St. Louis Blues roster.
Consistency, not talent has always been the knock on Allen, dating back to his junior days. The skill Allen has is evident, and when he is on, he is near impossible to beat. The downside is, when Allen is off his game, he is absolutely brutal.
Fans first started questioning Allen's mental game during the 2009-2010 World Junior Hockey Championships. It looked as if Allen would lead talented Team Canada roster to the gold medal. A team that included current Blues Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden Schenn.
Allen looked great in tournament, he was playing confidently. He was on his game most nights, but it's difficult to forget the embarrassing loss in the finals in which Allen was pulled in the third after allowing five goals.
Allen turned pro in the 2010-11 season, and spent parts of four seasons in the American Hockey League. The potential was certainly there, but it was during his final season in the AHL before Allen really took the next step, showing he deserved to be in the NHL.
Allen had a great showing his rookie year with the Blues. Boasting a 22-7-4 record, the excitement was evident within Blues fans. Did the Blues finally develop a young starting goalie properly? They hadn't done that since Curtis Joseph, over 20 years earlier. It was exciting times for fans, as the goalie carousel was really getting tiresome.
Over the next two seasons, Allen continued to impress, amassing 59 wins, 35 losses, and 8 overtime/shootout losses. During this time, Allen was splitting the net with Brian Elliott and Carter Hutton, but was visibly the go to guy. It was during the 2017-18 season where Allen really slipped.
Unquestionably the Blues starting netminder, the pressure shifted for Allen. From stealing the starting role, to being the guy looked at to lead the Blues in the playoffs.
Something was clearly off with Allen, and no one could figure out what was ailing him. Things got bleak, especially in January. The Blues tried something drastic after a string of games that saw Allen pulled four times in six games. Blues general manager, Doug Armstrong, then opted to leave Jake Allen at home while the Blues went on a three game road trip.
Allen's play was up and down after that and that really hasn't changed, now a year and a half later. The biggest difference now seemingly is that since the arrival of Jordan Binnington, Allen's consistency is back.
Many would love to get in Jake's head, pinpointing what caused his collapse to mediocrity, and now the sudden rise to competitive back up. Regardless of the why or how, with Allen providing the level of play he is currently, he'll give the Blues the opportunity to win. What else can you ask of your back up?
There is no question the road hasn't been smooth for Jake Allen, but he's finally looking like he's gotten a lot figured out, and that's great news for the Blues, but more importantly, for Jake Allen.
By Randall Ritchie
Blogger • 
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