Devils goaltending split reconsideration: balancing Markstrom and Allen in 2025-26

The New Jersey Devils entered the 2025-26 season with a clear mission: fix the goaltending issues that derailed their previous campaign. After acquiring veteran Jacob Markstrom from Calgary and bringing back reliable backup Jake Allen, the organization believed they had finally solved their crease conundrum. However, as the season has progressed, an unexpected debate has emerged about how to maximize this tandem’s potential. While conventional wisdom suggests riding a hot starter and limiting the backup to roughly 30 games per season, Allen’s exceptional performance has forced the coaching staff to reconsider the traditional approach to their new jersey devils goaltending split strategy.

Why the Devils’ goaltending split strategy deserves reconsideration

The traditional NHL goaltending model relies heavily on a clear starter who handles 55-60 games while the backup fills in the remaining schedule. For years, this approach made sense—teams wanted their best goaltender playing as much as possible. However, Allen’s advanced metrics tell a compelling story that challenges this conventional thinking. Last season, despite playing in just 31 games, he posted the ninth-best goals saved above expected mark (+18.4) among 103 NHL goaltenders, according to MoneyPuck data.

What makes Allen’s numbers even more remarkable is the disparity between his advanced metrics and traditional counting stats from the 2024-25 season. His .908 save percentage was solid but not spectacular on the surface. However, a deeper dive reveals that the Devils’ defense played significantly worse in front of Allen compared to other goaltenders—a statistical anomaly that appears coincidental rather than systematic. When the blue line performs adequately in front of him, Allen’s elite underlying numbers translate into dominant performances.

Per 60 minutes last season, Allen stopped +0.635 goals saved above expected, ranking second in the league among all goaltenders with 15 or more appearances. He tied with reigning Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck and trailed only Anthony Stolarz. This season, his GSAx per 60 sits at +0.597—approximately six percent lower than last year—yet he remains undefeated with elite counting stats. The difference? Improved defensive support that allows his true talent to shine through.

Head coach Sheldon Keefe acknowledged the delicate balance after a recent victory: “Allen’s been unbelievable. At the same time, we also have to manage his workload. We just touched on the demands of the schedule, and now we’re going to travel with Colorado. So you know, it’s good to have goaltending depth, and it’s good to have Marky coming back at this time. With the amount of schedule here, we have to manage that, or we’ll have injured goalies all season long. We don’t want that.”

The injury factor in optimizing the Devils’ netminder deployment

Both Markstrom and Allen are 35 years old, and both have dealt with injury troubles in recent seasons. This reality makes the case for a more balanced workload distribution even stronger. Last season, Markstrom started 49 games while Allen received just 29 opportunities. Given Allen’s performance level and the injury risks associated with overworking aging goaltenders, that split appears increasingly outdated.

The Hockey Writers recently analyzed how this situation could benefit the Devils moving forward. The key isn’t just about riding the hot hand—it’S about sustainable excellence throughout an 82-game regular season and, more importantly, into the playoffs. A 40-42 game split would keep both goaltenders fresh, engaged, and competitive while reducing the wear and tear that leads to injuries and declining performance.

When Markstrom missed six games early this season, Allen proved he could handle the number one workload. But the question isn’t whether he can—it’s whether he should have to. The Devils possess a luxury that few teams enjoy: two genuinely elite goaltending options. Leveraging both properly could be the difference between a deep playoff run and an early exit.

The numbers support this approach beyond just injury prevention. Markstrom’s career save percentage stands at .908—identical to Allen’s. While Markstrom struggled slightly in his first three appearances this season with a 3.89 GAA and .845 save percentage, his strong preseason performance and proven track record suggest these early-season numbers are an aberration rather than a trend. Having Allen’s consistent excellence to fall back on during such stretches prevents the team from spiraling while their nominal starter finds his rhythm.

Historical precedents for successful goaltending tandems

The Devils aren’t pioneering uncharted territory with a more equitable goaltending split. Several successful NHL teams have employed similar strategies with excellent results. The key is finding two goaltenders who complement each other’s strengths while accepting their roles within a fluid system.

Consider the 2019 Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues, who rode Jordan Binnington and Jake Allen (ironically the same Allen now in New Jersey) through stretches of the season. Or the more recent examples of teams like Carolina, which has consistently deployed a rotation rather than a strict hierarchy. These approaches work when both goaltenders buy into the philosophy and maintain high performance levels.

The Devils’ situation differs slightly because they ostensibly have a designated starter in Markstrom. However, his injury and Allen’s exceptional play have created an opportunity to implement a more balanced approach organically. Rather than forcing a change, the circumstances have naturally evolved toward a scenario where both goaltenders could reasonably expect 35-40 starts.

From a competitive standpoint, this creates healthy internal pressure. Neither goaltender can coast, knowing a capable alternative is ready to seize opportunities. This competition tends to elevate performance rather than create discord, especially when both players are veterans who understand the business side of hockey.

The defensive improvements supporting the new jersey devils goaltending split strategy

One crucial element enabling this potential strategic shift is the improved defensive structure under new assistant coach Brad Shaw. Players and coaches have praised Shaw’s impact on the team’s defensive zone coverage and breakout systems. These improvements directly benefit whichever goaltender is in the net by reducing high-danger scoring chances and providing better support.

Last season’s defensive lapses in front of Allen masked his true abilities. This year, with more consistent blue line play, his elite metrics are finally translating into dominant traditional statistics. Markstrom will similarly benefit from these structural improvements when he returns to full health. The enhanced defensive system means both goaltenders face fewer odd-man rushes, better-controlled neutral zone play, and improved gap control—all factors that allow goaltenders to focus on making saves rather than constantly scrambling.

According to reports, when Markstrom was initially injured, the Devils turned to Allen and Nico Daws as their tandem. Daws, the 24-year-old prospect, posted a 4-3-1 record with a .939 save percentage last season in limited action. While Daws represents the future, Allen’s performance has demonstrated that the present requires maximizing the veteran talent on hand.

Allen himself has expressed confidence in the depth chart: “He’s a good goalie. He’s played a lot of NHL hockey games… a lot more than other goalies in the league. He should have all the confidence in the world. He’s a really good kid, a good person, and he’s paid his dues… he’ll be good for us,” Allen said of Daws, showing the team-first mentality that makes a split workload feasible.

What an optimal goaltending split looks like for New Jersey

So what would an ideal distribution look like for the Devils moving forward? Rather than the traditional 55-27 split that favors the starter, a 42-40 distribution makes more sense given the specific circumstances. This approach would give Markstrom slightly more starts, maintaining his position as the nominal number one, while recognizing Allen’s abilities with a near-equal workload.

Several factors would influence game-to-game decisions within this framework:

• Recent performance: Riding the hot hand remains important, but neither goaltender would be sidelined for extended stretches
• Schedule density: Back-to-back situations and three-games-in-four-nights scenarios would automatically trigger rotation
• Opponent strength: Matching goaltenders against specific opponents based on style matchups rather than rigid hierarchy
• Rest and recovery: Ensuring adequate rest between starts to maintain peak performance levels
• Injury prevention: Proactive load management to avoid the soft-tissue injuries common in aging goaltenders

This framework preserves flexibility while establishing clearer expectations for both goaltenders. It also sends a message to the rest of the league that the Devils have solved their goaltending problems not with one solution, but with two equally viable options.

The regular season serves as preparation for playoff success, and playoff goaltending often requires a hot netminder to carry a team through multiple rounds. By keeping both goaltenders sharp and confident throughout the season, the Devils increase their odds that at least one will be playing at a Vezina-caliber level when the games matter most. This redundancy is a feature, not a bug.

Managing expectations and communication in a split-netminder system

The success of any modified goaltending split strategy depends heavily on clear communication and managing expectations. Both Markstrom and Allen need to understand the rationale behind the approach and buy into its benefits. This isn’t about demoting anyone or suggesting either goaltender isn’t capable of being a number one—it’S about optimizing the roster’s collective potential.

Keefe’s comments about managing workload suggest the coaching staff is already thinking along these lines. However, transitioning from talking about it to implementing it consistently requires commitment. There will be stretches where one goaltender gets hot and earns more consecutive starts. There will also be times when alternating makes sense regardless of recent results, purely for rest purposes.

Modern analytics have given teams better tools to evaluate goaltender fatigue and performance trends. The Devils’ analytical department can track metrics like save percentage on high-danger chances, rebound control, and positioning over time to identify when either goaltender might benefit from extra rest, even if traditional stats don’t reveal fatigue.

The media and fan narrative will also require management. When Markstrom was acquired, expectations positioned him as the undisputed starter. Shifting that narrative to emphasize the tandem approach rather than hierarchy requires consistent messaging from the organization. Fortunately, Allen’s performance makes this conversation easier—it’s hard to argue against playing someone who’s been among the league’s best goaltenders over a 40-game sample.

As the Devils continue competing for a playoff position in the highly competitive Metropolitan Division, their goaltending depth represents a significant strategic advantage. Most teams would be thrilled to have one goaltender performing at the level Allen has shown over the past calendar year. The Devils have two capable of it. The question now is whether they’ll fully embrace the opportunity this presents or fall back into conventional thinking about starter and backup roles. Early returns suggest they understand the value of their unique situation—the challenge lies in maintaining that approach throughout the grind of an NHL season when that balanced strategy could be the foundation for a championship-caliber team.