Amanda Stein just reported that Jake Allen starts for the Devils in Winnipeg tonight against Nico Daws, his former teammate.
Daws is the 25-year-old goalie New Jersey drafted in 2020, and he now tends the net for the Jets. The Devils arrive 13-5-0 and winners of five straight, while Winnipeg sits 23rd in the NHL at 7-8-3.
Stein noted that Daws told her some really great things about how important Allen has been to his career.
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That is the human side of a game that otherwise carries plenty of noise. Allen is 36 and has played 9 games this season, so he is the veteran who taught a young goalie the job and now gets to face him.
The noise, of course, is Connor Hellebuyck. We covered Connor Hellebuyck's return to Winnipeg earlier today: he will not play, though he will hear the boos.
Mike McIntyre relayed what Sheldon Keefe said about the decision.
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Keefe said general manager Sunny Mehta made the call, which is the same line he has been giving all week.
The goalie numbers are close to a coin flip. Allen is 3-2-0 over his last five with a .879 save percentage, and Daws is 2-3-0 over his last five with a .878.
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Who has the edge in the Winnipeg crease?
On paper, nobody. Allen's 3.39 goals-against average over five games is higher than Daws's 3.04, but the save percentages are separated by a single point. Daws has also been the one losing more often.
The Devils have the better team in front of him, and that is what tilts it. They have scored 66 goals and allowed 51, a plus-15 differential, while Winnipeg is at minus-14.
Still, a .879 is a shaky number for a goalie carrying a night this loaded. The Devils can afford that while they are winning, but I wouldn't want to lean on it much longer.
These teams last met on Jan 27, 2026, when Winnipeg won 4-3 in New Jersey. Kyle Connor has 13 goals in 18 games and will test Allen early, and the Devils will put that five-game win streak on the line tonight.
Quick hits
UTAH MAMMOTH: Nate Schmidt is not in the lines posted for Utah as the Mammoth get ready for Vegas. That leaves one open spot on the blue line.
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ST. LOUIS BLUES: Jim Montgomery's Blues are going with Joel Hofer in net tonight against the Red Wings, according to J.P.
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COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: Rick Bowness confirmed that Cam Talbot starts tonight against the Panthers, per Doug Plagens.
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MONTREAL CANADIENS: Jacob Fowler gets the start for the Canadiens tonight against the Wild, according to the team's official account. Fans will be watching.
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OTTAWA SENATORS: Bruce Garrioch reports that Samuel Ersson starts against the Capitals, with Linus Ullmark's return on hold.
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This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence, based on public reports and official sources.
Also read on Markerzone.com:
Sheldon Keefe offers another excuse for controversial decision on Connor Hellebuyck
