Jake Allen's Early Save-of-the-Year Candidate Highlights Amazing Effort (VIDEO)

Jake Allen was on fire tonight for the Montréal Canadiens, but unfortunately he couldn't secure the win and through no fault of his own. He stopped all but one shot in the Habs' 3-0 defeat to the Detroit Red Wings, and if not for Elmer Soderblom's perfectly placed backhand shot (1st career) Allen could have kept a blank sheet.

Alas, that was not to be and Montreal fell. Which is honestly a good thing for Habs fans hoping for a bid in the Bedard Sweepstakes. Habs fans received a dandy despite the loss, though.

Allen threw up a save of the year candidate, when he robbed Andrew Copp of a sure-goal with the toe of his stick blade. Truly sensational.

GM Kent Hughes signed Allen to a two-year contract extension that saw Allen paid $7.7 million. Head coach Martin St. Louis said Allen is one of those guys who will plant trees and never get to sit in the shade they provide.

An astute analogy, I dare say.

Allen has already earned his payday and frankly he could have secure more on the open market. Still, he opted to take the Habs' money and stick with this group as they transition from one era to the next. Admirable.

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