New Jersey Devils goaltender Jake Allen earned two shutouts within his first five games of the 2024-25 season.
Bend-don't-break is something that was repeated by not only New Jersey Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe, but his players as well after their 3-0 victory against the Edmonton Oilers.
"I thought we had a bend-don't-break type of mentality throughout," Keefe said. "The third period was our best period in terms of defending less, not much happening at our net, and pressing and extending our lead."
Forward Stefan Noesen credited his goaltender, Jake Allen.
"[..] If we did bend, we didn't break all the way, and a big reason was because of Jake," Noesen said
The veteran netminder made 31 saves en route to celebrating his second shutout of the 2024-25 campaign at Rogers Place.
Per NHL PR, Allen became "the third goaltender in franchise history to record multiple shutouts within his first five games of a season. He would join Keith Kinkaid (2 in 2018-19) and Scott Clemmensen (2 in 2003-04)."
Allen's first shutout was on Oct. 14, when he made 20 saves, handing the Utah Hockey Club their first loss in franchise history.
The 34-year-old appeared in 18 games for the Devils since being acquired on Mar. 8, 2024. He has a record of 9-7-2 with a .901 save percentage.
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