Allen (back) will get the starting nod against the Capitals on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Allen has long maintained that he would be ready for Opening Night and will get his first taste of preseason action Tuesday. The netminder is slated to go for the first two periods and -- barring a setback -- figures to be the man in the crease versus Winnipeg on Oct. 4.

Allen's back is improving, but he will miss at least the first two preseason games with Sunday against the Blue Jackets being his earliest conceivable return date, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Back spasms are taking valuable training-camp time away from Allen, but he's essentially downplayed the significance of the issue by stating that he's ahead of schedule.

Allen (back) confirmed Saturday that he should return sooner than the original 10-to-14-day estimate, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Reports around St. Louis surfaced Wednesday suggesting that Allen could miss up to 14 days with back spasms, but both GM Doug Armstrong and the goalie himself seem confident it won't be that long of a recovery period. Allen figures to be ready for Opening Night on Oct. 4, clashing against the visiting Jets.

Blues GM Doug Armstrong said Allen's back injury isn't serious and he'll be ready to start Oct. 4 against the Jets, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Two days ago, news surfaced that Allen would miss the first 10-to-14 days of camp, but now he's been given the vote of confidence from his general manager. The Blues clearly want to be cautious with Allen, as the goalie situation is flaky already and losing him for an extended period would make it even more of a toss up.

Allen will miss the first 10-to-14 days of training camp due to back spasms, Jim Thomas of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Carter Hutton now in Buffalo, Allen is expected to open the season as the No. 1 goalie for the Blues. He was retained by the Central Division club, despite posting spotty peripherals (2.75 GAA, .906 save percentage) last season, and now this condition further dampens his outlook ahead of a new campaign. Should Allen's injury carry over to the regular season, it will be Chad Johnson preparing for starter's action.

Allen yielded three goals on 37 shots in Saturday's 5-2 road loss to the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

This was a must-win game for the Blues, but Allen was staked out to an early 2-0 deficit and counterpart Jonathan Bernier played magnificently to help his team advance to the postseason. This was a humbling campaign for Allen. While he finished with a winning record (27-25-3), his 2.75 GAA and .906 save percentage were poor marks and the 2008 second-round pick had temporarily lost his starting gig to Carter Hutton before Hutton sustained a neck injury. Still, Allen has three more years left on a contract that comes with $4.35 million of annual pay, so he should remain heavily involved for the Notes over the life of that deal.

Allen will be the road starter in Saturday's season finale against the Avalanche.

EDGE Analysis

Carter Hutton got the start Friday, leaving Allen to start a game that will decide the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. That may not be a good thing for the Blues. The 27-year-old has lost four games in a row, posting a 3.85 GAA and .869 save percentage in those outings.

Allen made 22 saves on 26 shots in a 4-3 loss to the Blackhawks on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

This game was headed for overtime until Allen allowed a power-play goal with a mere nine seconds left in the third period. That makes four losses in a row for the 27-year-old, which is concerning for a Blues team fighting for a playoff spot. If St. Louis falls short of the postseason, some fingers may be pointed at Allen's .906 save percentage.

Allen will patrol the blue paint for Wednesday's clash with Chicago, Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Allen will make his 14th consecutive appearance between the pipes and should continue to see all the rubber until the Blues clinch a wild card spot or are eliminated from playoff contention. Even with an upcoming back-to-back Friday and Saturday (against Chicago and Colorado respectively), it appears to be Allen or bust in the Gateway City.

Allen stopped 30 of 33 shots during Monday's 4-2 loss to Washington.

EDGE Analysis

After rolling off six consecutive wins to lead St. Louis back into the thick of the playoff hunt, Allen and the Blues have now lost three straight and earned just a single point. Additionally, the 27-year-old netminder also owns a discouraging .877 save percentage during the losing streak. St. Louis has a home-and-home series against Chicago up next on the schedule before closing out the season with a road game against Colorado on Saturday.