Is Jake Allen’s Slump a Concern or Just a Temporary Setback for the Devils?

The New Jersey Devils have opened their season 9-4-0 through 13 games, putting them near the top of the Metropolitan Division. After losing their season opener, they responded with an eight-game winning streak. Much of that success came from backup goaltender Jake Allen, who took over when Jacob Markström was injured on October 13.

Allen, 35, won his first five starts but has hit a rough stretch. In his last two appearances, he has gone 0-2-0, allowed eight goals, and posted an .838 save percentage with a goals-against average close to 4.00. In the Devils’ 4-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks on November 3, 2025, Cutter Gauthier scored from a sharp angle after Allen failed to close the post, a goal that captured his recent struggles.

The team’s defensive injuries have added to the challenge. New Jersey is missing defensemen Johnathan Kovacevic and Brett Pesce, with Pesce expected to return within a month. Their absence has led to more odd-man rushes and open shooting lanes, forcing both Allen and Markström to face higher-quality chances.

Sportsbooks have adjusted to the team’s situation. For their upcoming home game against the Montreal Canadiens at Prudential Center, top betting sites list New Jersey between -162 and -166 on the moneyline, with a puck line of -1.5 and a total between 6 and 6.5 goals. Those prices indicate a 60–62 percent win probability. In season-long markets, the Devils’ Stanley Cup odds range from +1200 to +1800, including +1200 on ESPN’s futures board and +1300 on Covers and Rotowire. BetMGM currently offers +1300 for the Stanley Cup, +600 for the Eastern Conference, and about +200 for the Metropolitan Division. For individual awards, Markström sits near +2100 for the Vezina Trophy, while Allen’s name appears mainly in single-game prop markets.

The team moved quickly to secure stability in the net. On November 1, 2025, the Devils announced Markström’s two-year, $12 million contract extension. Elliotte Friedman discussed the deal on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, saying, “I understand why New Jersey did this. They’re in win-now mode. It gives them a really good combination. And we’ll see if I’m right about this, but Markström’s history is to play better when he’s settled.” He also pointed out that their combined goaltending cap hit for next season—$7.8 million between Markström and Allen—is efficient for a team chasing the Stanley Cup.

Former NHL goaltender Devan Dubnyk spoke about Allen’s role on The Hockey News Big Show, saying, “When you talk about being the best backup, (Allen is) going to give you everything you want out of a backup. Whether it’s playing a game every two weeks or five games in a row… that’s an important part of a backup goalie—being in the dressing room, having energy, being involved, whether you’re playing or not.” Dubnyk added, “With Jake Allen, you look at him, and he’s ready to perform however that is. He’s going to contribute in practice, he’s going to contribute in the dressing room. And if he hasn’t played in two weeks, he’s going to come in and win you a game.”

Allen’s numbers explain why the Devils continue to rely on him. In eight games this season, he holds a 5-2-0 record with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .904 save percentage, while Markström stands at 4-3-2 with a .875 save percentage and 4.17 GAA after missing part of October. Allen previously played 42 games for the Montreal Canadiens in 2022–23 and won a Stanley Cup with St. Louis earlier in his career.

His five-year, $9 million contract, signed on July 1, 2025—with a $1.8 million annual cap hit through 2030—shows how the Devils plan to maintain long-term stability in goal, especially alongside Markström’s new extension. Supported by an offense that has scored 46 goals in 13 games, averaging 3.53 per contest, New Jersey remains firmly positioned to compete at a high level.