Unveiling the Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire Secret: Jake Allen's Rise to Dominance
Player Overview and Breakout Season
Jake Allen, the Montreal Canadiens goaltender, has emerged as a hidden gem on the NHL's waiver wire in fantasy hockey. After being acquired by Montreal in a trade with the St. Louis Blues, Allen has taken over as the team's starting goalie and has put up impressive numbers.
In 15 starts for the Canadiens, Allen has a record of 11-3-0 with a 2.61 goals-against average (GAA) and a .927 save percentage (SV%). He has also recorded four shutouts, which is tied for second-most in the NHL this season. Allen's performance has been a major reason for Montreal's recent resurgence, as the team has gone 12-2-1 since he took over as the starter.
Key Stats and Performance Analysis
The following table compares Jake Allen's stats from the 2022-23 season to his previous two seasons with the Blues:
| Season | GAA | SV% |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 (Canadiens) | 2.61 | .927 |
| 2021-22 (Blues) | 3.38 | .905 |
| 2020-21 (Blues) | 2.85 | .911 |
As the table shows, Allen's GAA and SV% have both improved significantly since joining the Canadiens. His 2.61 GAA is currently the sixth-best in the NHL, and his .927 SV% is tied for eighth-best. Allen has also been particularly strong at home, where he has a 6-0-0 record with a 1.67 GAA and a .944 SV%.
Reasons for Allen's Success
There are several factors that have contributed to Allen's success in Montreal. First, Allen has benefited from playing behind a much stronger defense than he had with the Blues. Montreal's defense is currently ranked fifth in the NHL in goals allowed per game, while the Blues are ranked 24th.
Second, Allen has been playing with more confidence since joining the Canadiens. He has said that he feels more relaxed and comfortable in Montreal, and that he is able to focus on his game more. This has been evident in his play, as he has been making more saves and controlling rebounds better than he did in St. Louis.
Fantasy Hockey Value
Jake Allen is a valuable fantasy hockey asset, especially for those who can pick him up off the waiver wire. He is a starting goalie who is putting up top-10 numbers in GAA and SV%. He is also playing behind a strong defense and is playing with more confidence than he ever has before.
Allen is currently owned in only 20% of Yahoo! fantasy hockey leagues and 25% of ESPN fantasy hockey leagues. If you can add him to your team, he could be a valuable contributor for the rest of the season.
Conclusion
Jake Allen has emerged as a top fantasy hockey goalie this season. He is a starting goalie who is putting up top-10 numbers in GAA and SV%, and he is playing behind a strong defense and has been playing with more confidence than ever before. If you can add Allen to your fantasy team, do so now. He could be a valuable contributor for the rest of the season.