After legitimately trying to compete last season and winding up dead last, the Habs are once again sitting next to the Titanic at the bottom of the Atlantic. Now that it looks like Carey Price will be hanging up the skates, their window is effectively closed just 2 seasons removed from a run to the Stanley Cup Finals. It was as close as they've come to winning it all since Patrick Roy led them to a Stanley Cup victory in 1993. After being left in the net for 9 goals on Dec 2, 1995, Roy left the ice, pulling himself, and vowed to never play for the Habs again.
Fast forward to the year 2022, the Habs were absolutely wrecked on New Year's eve against the Capitals. An Alex Ovechkin hat trick was just the beginning as the Habs gave up 9 goals to the 2018 Stanley Cup champs. Jake Allen, just like Patrick Roy nearly 30 years ago, was left in for all 9 goals against.
For a franchise who lost arguably the greatest goaltender of all time by refusing to pull him, it's an embarrassing look to see them do it again. While Allen is no Roy, it still can't feel good for a goaltender to be hung out to dry like that, even if you're not a legend.
Honestly, I thought Martin St Louis was more of a player's coach than this. Perhaps his friendliness only applies to skaters. What I do know is that, while Jake Allen is no Patrick Roy, he certainly deserves better from his head coach.
