It has been a long and hard season for both of the New Jersey Devils’ goalies. This past season, they have seen a lot when it comes to guarding their team’s net. New Jersey’s goalies have become one of the most fascinating stories to hit the scene because of how alike and how different both of their goalies are.
Jake Allen and Jacob Markstrom each bring something to the table when it comes to preventing their opponents from scoring. Most days are successful, while some days the Devils find that their goalie has let something slip through. However, both can rally the New Jersey team in their own way.
Markstrom is much different from how Allen comes onto the ice. He knows how to play a calm and square game. He knows how to block the shooters and rarely finds himself doing unnecessary movement with his eyes on the puck at all costs. He brings the presence to play as the starting goalie, and for most of the season, that’s why he has started more games than Allen. He knows how to handle a heavy workload and to settle a team like this Devils team that sometimes plays loosely defensively.
Markstrom has never been an inconsistent player. However, there have been nights when he has given up soft goals. He has also struggled with rebound control for most of the season. Earlier this season, he allowed three goals on seven shots against the Tampa Bay Lightning before the team pulled him; Something that, when he’s in the elite starter position, should not be allowed at all.
On the other hand, Allen has played a slightly different type of game than Markstrom. Like Markstrom, Allen isn’t a flashy goalie when it comes to protecting the puck. Though he does step in and consistently save the puck, bailing the team out in a time of need. There have been games in which he has shown he can make clutch saves. For example, he had recorded a 42-save shutout in past games. A performance that proved that he can thrive under pressure. Both his save percentage (SV%) and goals-against-average (GAA) have looked much better than Markstrom’s this season.
Both goalies could also use help from their team more often than not. Defensively, the skaters haven’t been pulling their weight, and they need to find a way to do better to help these two out when it’s needed. For example, there is a need to start boxing out instead of puck-watching, which some nights is the case. They can also clear the crease and find a way to have better gap control at the blue line. They also need to allow fewer east-west passes. If that were the case, both Markstrom and Allen would have more time to see where the puck is before it ends up back in front of them.
These two goalies both play well, but only one can hold the starting position. In a nutshell, Markstrom’s strengths lie in his experience, size, and occasional ability to steal games. However, his inconsistency and reaction time have been significant weaknesses this season. Allen’s strengths include steadiness and clutch saves, and he can outperform under pressure.
These two can complement each other and ultimately teach each other. However, the Devils’ goaltending saga this season has been as much about who is going to get the chance to save the goals as it’s been about who is going to hit the bench as a backup. Winning is all about the individual talent on the ice, and these two both have what it takes.
