ST. LOUIS -- It took an injury to Carter Hutton to get him back between the pipes, but Jake Allen has certainly seized the opportunity.
Allen, who had been mired in a long slump before coming back to replace Hutton after the latter suffered a neck injury in a morning skate March 8, has gone 7-2-0 since resuming the starting role. And he was at his best last week, when he went 3-0-0 and earned NHL second star of the week honors.
Allen allowed just three goals on 76 shots last week, logging a 2-1 win over Boston on Wednesday, a 4-1 win over Vancouver on Friday and a 2-1 win over Columbus on Saturday. Among goalies who made multiple starts last week, Allen ranked second in goals-against average (1.00) and third in save percentage (.961).
Over the Blues' last nine games, during which time the Blues have worked their way back into a playoff spot, Allen is tied for third in the league in goals-against average (2.00) and is 14th in save percentage (.926).
Oilers forward Connor McDavid and Jets forward Kyle Connor were named first and third star, respectively, for last week.
