"(Starting Allen) is based in part on that (game in Winnipeg), based also in part on that he has a chance to do what he did last year for us, " Blues Head Coach Mike Yeo said. "When things mattered most, he played his best hockey. He got into a rhythm. It was right at this time of the year. What better time to get something like that going than right now?"
Last season, Allen was arguably the best goaltender in the League from Feb. 2 through the end of the year. We won 16 games in that stretch to surpass the 30-win mark for the first time in his career and posted a League-best .938 save-percentage.
He remained hot throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs and made 51 saves to steal Game 1 against the Wild. His play helped send the Blues to the semifinals after defeating Minnesota in five games.
In addition to Allen starting, it appears Vladimir Sobotka will be back in the lineup after missing Tuesday's game due to illness.
The Blues held an optional practice Friday, so the projected lineup is based on Thursday's team practice at the Ice Zone at St. Louis Outlet Mall.
