Coming into this season, it felt like the New Jersey Devils finally got rid of a goaltending issue that seemed to linger for a couple of seasons. With a tandem of two veteran goalies, Jacob Markstrom and Jake Allen, it was the least of the fanbase's concerns. We're now six weeks into the season, and the goaltending problem has come back around, this time because of Markstrom.
Markstrom recently signed a contract extension on November 1st that will keep him in New Jersey through the 2027-28 season, making $6 million per season. Ever since putting pen to paper, Markstrom has given up 15 goals on 136 shots against, leaving him with a .890 SV% in five games. That also leaves Markstrom with a 2.95 GAA and a 2-3 record; not too great for a goaltender making $6 million a season.
This past January, Markstrom got hurt against the Boston Bruins after Justin Brazeau ran into him in net. Markstrom suffered a sprained MCL in his knee, which kept him off the ice for quite a while. He returned on March 2nd. Before that injury, he had an SV% of .912 and just a 2.20 GAA in 36 games. After he returned from injury, he had a .869 SV% and a 3.33 GAA in just 13 games.
Clearly, there is a big difference in performance. Could there be a chance that he quietly reaggravated that same knee? Jacob Markstrom doesn't look the same, and it's affecting the team as a whole in every way possible.
The Jake Allen Show
Devils' goalie Jake Allen has been pleasant to watch early on in the season, averaging 24 saves per game, with a save percentage of .916, a 2.24 GAA, along with a 7-2 record. Just recently, Allen kept the Devils in their game against the Florida Panthers, denying 23 of the 24 shots faced, including some acrobatic saves. The Devils, unfortunately, couldn't score and lost 1-0.
It feels like an entirely different game when Allen is in the net this season, doing his best to keep the Devils in every game. Head coach Sheldon Keefe has to make the change and have Jake Allen as the starter going forward. It seems like things are heading that way as Allen will make his second straight start on Saturday, facing the Philadelphia Flyers on the road.