It was a night to remember for Jake Allen and the New Jersey Devils as they took down the Utah Hockey Club 3-0, with Allen pulling off his first shutout for his new team.
The Devils are on a roll, and with Allen standing strong between the pipes, the future is looking bright.
This game was extra sweet for the Devils, especially since they missed the playoffs last season.
For Jake Allen, this was a big milestone in his career.
He made 20 saves and recorded his 25th career shutout.
It was also his first shutout since February 2023, back when he was still with the Montreal Canadiens.
Allen was traded to the Devils in March 2024, and this game showed exactly why New Jersey wanted him on their roster.
The game got off to a tight start, with both teams holding each other scoreless through the first period.
But the breakthrough came early in the second when Seamus Casey, a 20-year-old rookie defenseman, scored a power-play goal just a little over a minute into the period.
This was a big moment for the young player, who’s proving he’s one to watch.
It was his third goal of the season, and he’s showing the kind of skill that made him a second-round pick for the Devils in 2022.
With the ice finally broken, the Devils kept the pressure on.
Stefan Noesen added a second goal later in the period, with Casey picking up an assist, showing that the rookie has more than just a knack for scoring goals—he’s making plays happen all over the ice.
And just to make sure the game was fully wrapped up, Nico Hischier added another goal in the third period, also on the power play.
With that, the Devils had all the goals they needed.
While the Devils’ offense was clicking, Allen was putting in a top-tier performance in the net.
Utah, who had been on fire in their first three games of the season, couldn’t get past him.
This team had scored 16 goals in their first three games, but Allen and the Devils’ defense shut them down completely.
It wasn’t for lack of trying, though—Utah had four power-play chances but failed to score on any of them.
Karel Vejmelka, Utah’s goalie, did his part, too, making 30 saves, but it just wasn’t enough to overcome the Devils’ sharp play.
Utah’s loss was their first of the season after starting strong with three straight wins.
The team, formerly known as the Arizona Coyotes, moved to Salt Lake City last spring, bringing its players and coaches along.
And while they’ve been making a strong case for themselves in their new city, New Jersey was just too much for them in this game.
After the win, Allen didn’t take all the credit; instead, he praised his teammates for making his job easier.
“The win is the important part, and the shutout is a bonus for me at this point in my career,” Allen said.
“Honestly, the guys made it pretty easy on me for the most part. I made a couple of tough saves, but they did a great job.”
That team effort is a big reason why the Devils’ defense is already one of the best in the league this season.
They’re allowing just 1.80 goals per game, which puts them sixth overall in the NHL for defense.
This game was just the latest example of how they’re locking things down at the back.
The Devils are now looking ahead to their next game against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The Hurricanes hope to turn their season around after a shaky start, but the Devils will be ready to keep their momentum going.
On the other hand, Utah will finish its four-game road trip with a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks.
Even with this loss, they’ll be looking to bounce back strongly.
For hockey fans interested in the behind-the-scenes action, a video from the Montreal Canadiens’ TV series, “Rebuild,” shared on social media, shows general manager Kent Hughes thanking Allen for his service to the Canadiens before the trade.
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Allen was moved to New Jersey on March 8, 2024, in exchange for a conditional third-round draft pick in the 2025 NHL draft.
Now serving as the Devils’ backup goalie, Allen continues to make his mark, as seen with his recent shutout.
For those interested in Allen’s journey from Montreal to New Jersey, the full behind-the-scenes look can be viewed on Crave’s documentary series, which chronicles the Canadiens’ rebuilding process.
Overall, this latest win strengthens the Devils’ position early in the season, and they seem determined to compensate for last season’s disappointment.
With Jake Allen playing an important role and the team firing on all cylinders, it looks like New Jersey is ready to make some noise in the NHL this year.
Keep an eye on them—they’re just getting started!