Who starts Game 4?

posted by Mike Boone at 11h59 EST on Apr 28

"We'll sit down tomorrow," said Guy Carbonneau, "when everything is cool and everyone can talk softly."

And what they'll talk about is goaltending – specifically whether Carey Price will start Wednesday night in Philadelphia. In his post-game remarks, the coach made a point of defending his young goaltender.

"He's 20 years old," Carbonneau said. "We can't forget that. We're asking a kid to be a saviour."

In reference to a two-minute 5-on-3 power play – during which the Canadiens managed only one shot on goal – Carbo said "we had five our best players on the ice. Maybe we should blame them."

"It's a team game," Carbo said, and everyone – himself included – had to be held accountable for a loss.

"We're not happy." he said. "We're frustrated. We played really well and lost two games."

Carbonneau promised "this will be a long series."

"We'll contnue to work hard," said Steve Bégin, who works hard every game. "We have to win the next game. We have no choice."

Canadiens, dead in the water after 40 minutes, outshot the Flyers 17-2 in the third period and got goals from Tomas Plekanec and Saku Koivu during a five-minute power play to make the final score respectable.

Too little.

Too late.

And in the case of Derian Hatcher, whose indiscipline opened the door to the Caadiens' comebacl: Too stupid.

An enormous monkey has clambered aboard the young back of Price. He has lost four of his last six starts, during which his GAA is 3.35 and his save percentage 86.1

If Price hadn't been beaten for three goals on 12 shots in 40 minutes tonight ... well, who knows?

3P 1:23:

Ouch! Bouillon didn't know the penalty was over. Icing

3P 3:00:

Flyers careful on the PP, natch

3P Repairs:

Everyone gets a rest before what should be an exciting final few minutes. Shots are 33-14; 16-2 this period.

3P 3:36:

Not a great time for Too Many Men.

3P 3:30:

PP getting tired.

3P Break:

Another PP. They're falling apart. I love this.

3P 7:00:

Shots 32-16. And yes, there will be messages.

3P :

Ouf! Koivu comes close

3P 7:40:

What a shift for Pleks and the brothers.

3P Hatcher:

can't take another penalty. The lunkhead is out of the game.

3P 9:30:

Well, total humiliation averted. And still time for Hatcher to take another penalty.

3P Timeout Philly:

Still a PP for 1:36. Hatcher: what an idiot

3P 11:19:

THE CAPTAIN!!!!

3P 13:00:

FINALLY!

Geez!

But maybe it will be waved off

3P 14:15:

Pedneault has it right. On the PP, Flyers want the puck more.

3P Break:

Good. major and a game for Hatcher. God, I hate losing to this f.ing gang of thugs.

3P 15:23:

Let the controversy begin. Halak looks great.

3P 16:00:

Biron makes saves and doesn't even realize it.

3P 17:00:

Max and Begin have played well together.

3P 18:00:

Halak good save on Briere

3P 18:40:

At least Latendresse tries.

3P 19:59:

Halak. A no-brainer.

3P 20:00:

Two wishes: Biron's shutout spoiled. No "messages" delivered in the final minute.

Between periods:

Winning formula: Great goaltending, great PK, timely offence. Philadelphia is breaking the spirit of the Canadiens, who can't figure out how to score on Martin Biron. I don't see a comeback tonight, and the series is in jeopardy because Philly is gaining confidence with every shift and every save Biron makes.

2P 00:08:

Sarcastic applause for Price. And Biron is a wall.

2P 1:41:

Another great shift for Plekanec. Umberger ... again. Halak will play the third period.

2P Break:

What a debacle. And now the Flyers will take cheap shots all over the ice. They're not even afraid of being penalized because the PP sucks so bad.

2P 3:00:

Now they can pay off TK.

2P 4:00:

Three shots. Two goals. Pathetic.

2P 4:48:

Umberger killing them on the PK.

Halak.

2P 6:18:

Thisis a HUGE PP.

2P 6:30:

Canadiens dominating. Crowd is out of it. And it's 1-0

2P 7:20:

RDS guys says Higgins has lost all confidence.

2P 8:30:

Biron is seeing everything. Get some bodies in front of him.

2P Break:

Canadiens skate circles around them but can't finish. They need a break, a bounce ... anything to shake up Biron, who's playing WAY over his head.

2P 10:50:

Replay shows how they effectively overplay Kovalev.

2P 11:00:

A bit of jump from the Max line.

2P 12:30:

Price had no chance. Screened. The shot had eyes.

2P Break:

Canadiens are cursed.

2P 12:56:

Biron stops O'Byrne

Price does not stop Upshall.

1-0 Flyers score first ... again.

2P 14:20:

No shots in this period. Weird.

2P 15:00:

Very rough shift for O'Byrne. He makes me nervous.

2P 16:11:

Horrible play by Price.

2P 17: 26:

Smolinski good on the PK. Also Gorges, Max, Begin

2P 19:30:

Sergei is a bit sleepy tonight. And here's a Philly PP

2P 20:00:

Carey: Be ready. Flyers will come hard to start this period.

Between periods:

The power play is a mess. And let's face it: the PP has sucked since the beginning of the playoffs. No creativity. No one moves without the puck. Canadiens should be up 2-0 or 3-0. But they aren't. And Philly, having been dominated for 20 minutes, will come out very strong ... Koivu 6-4 on Faceoffs but Richards killed him during the PPs ... Canadiens' D has been very solid. They're rsuhing, which doesn't give the Flyers a chance to set up ... Wow! Good thing Steve Bégin got in Hatcher's way. He was coming like a runaway freight

1P 00:00:

Sergei replaces Streit on th point. I wish Breeze were there. The PP totally sucks, and it's a total morale killer

1P 1:59:

Downie gets the extra two.

1P 2:00:

Downie trips Price. No call. Pathetic. What a takedown by Begin on Hatcher. So, here we go. Flyers hockey. It took them 18 minutes to start.

1P 2:40:

Bouillon crunched Briere, who didn't like it.

1P 3:30:

They're crashing Price.

1P 5:00:

Hamrlik is good tonight.

1P Break:

Another Bouillon rush. That PP was brutal, eh. Losing faceoffs, no patience to set up shots. Higgins snakebit ... for a change. And Mike Richards was brilliant.

1P 6:15:

Price juggles easy Prospal shot. Not a good sign.

1P:

Richards great on the PK. HOW DID HIGGINS MISS THAT OPEN NET? Then Streit takes an ill-advised slapper. Markov then hits the post. And they kill it. Turning point, maybe.

1P 9:29:

5-on-3 for two minutes

1P Break:

Downie the cretin takes two hard checks and then slashes someone. First PP for Canadiens.

1P 11:00:

Solid start, eh? Competitive.

1P 12:42:

Kovy back with Pleks and Andrei K

1P 13:21:

Big save on Umberger. Game on.

1P Break:

Another O-zone hook by Koivu. Brilliant PK work by Markov, Hamrlik, Begin. And Biron makes a great stick check on Koivu, in alone. I can't believe Biron's luck.

1P 16:00:

Price has been studying the Cristobal Huet Puckhandling DVD

1P 17:00:

Smith and Kukkonen look slow and vulnerable.

1P 17:40:

Koivu manufactores a great chance. What a player!

1P 18:00:

Briere against Plekanec

1P 19:00:

Smolinski gets back on Tholesen, but that was close.

1P 19:20:

Trouble already with the Philly forecheck

Kate Smith:

Still dead, right?

Starters:

Carter, Upshall, Umberger, Coburn, Timonen to start against Koivu, Kovalev, Higgins, Bouillon, Gorges. Man, it sounds loud in the Wack-offia Center.

Head games:

Riley Coté had his stick blade in Kostopoulos's face during warm-ups. Then Steve Downie started yapping, till he was pulled away.

Nice shirt:

On Andrei K. Someone get this guy to Harry Rosen.

1P 20:00:

Something to watch early: Line and defence match-ups. Stevens, with last change, will want Timonen and Coburn against the Canadiens he considers most dangerous

Prediction:

A war. And I am, comme habitude, not optimistic.

Dave Morisette:

says "that smile on Timonen ... I'd have done worse than Kostopoulos."

Targets:

Renaud Lavoie says the Flyers won't go after Tom Kostopoulos but will try to rough up Saku Koivu and Alex Kovalev.

Orange:

Will be worn by the Flyers' fans. Clockwork shade, I'm guessing.

Cristobal Huet:

featured on RDS, set to play for France at the Worlds. Hey, is Thierry Henry on that team? How about Camille Henry? Or Christopher's Parisian cousin, Henri 'iggins?

Intimidation factor:

Will be huge in opening minutes. Fans will be going nuts, Flyers will feed off it.

Pierre Houde and Yvon Pedneault:

say this is a pivotal game, particularly for Canadiens. Carbo, of course, plays down that notion.

Gaston Therrien:

Shows Mark Streit out to lunch on Umberger's second goal Saturday and says he and Markov might not be the best pairing.

First goal:

Time for Canadiens to score it. And if they don't, enough with the 2-0's already

Pierre McGuire :

My guru says Canadiens have to play their speed and skill game. "They can't bail out, but they can't play a street-fight game. That would be to Philadelphia's advantage."

Refs:

Marc Joanette and Brad Watson, who call the new rules tight.

Shout out to Ian Cobb:

Our tech guy says you shouldn't be having any trouble posting. Hope you're aboard tonight.

Tough test:

The Flyers can take control of the series tonight. Anything less than 60 minutes of intensity – which we haven't seen since Game 7 of the Boston series, and you could argue that was 40 minutes – Canadiens are in big trouble.

Latendresse in, Dandenault out:

Size for skating: could be an indication of how Guy Carbonneau thinks this one will go. RDS says Latendresse will play on the wing with Bryan Smolinski and Tom Kostopoulos. Steve Bégin will centre Mark Streit and Maxim Lapierre. At first blush, I'm not crazy about this. I wouldn't have tampered with the Smoke line, which has been the most consistent of the playoffs.

Tags:

Boone
Flyers

Comments

Submitted by Mike Boone on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 16:32.

Just to make it an even 1,200 Comments

Submitted by the_larry on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 16:35.

These 1200 comments (1201 now) blew the old record of 1050 - give or take a few - out of the water. If this doesn't have promotion written all over it, I dunno what does haha.

Submitted by Mike Boone on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 17:11.

Promotion? I'm holding out for a parade.

Submitted by RH on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 21:47.

Hey Boone, If you keep breaking records, you might just replace your buddy, Farber, on "The Reporters", every Sunday morning on TSN!

Submitted by frank81 on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 17:28.

If there's a parade, can I get a "most annoying defender of Carey Price" sash? I think I contributed at least 20-30 posts toward the 1200 mark based on that subject alone. haha

Submitted by ddawwidd on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 16:27.

With all due respect to everyone who said Price should start tomorrow, I would place Halak in the net. There are several reasons, bot for and against and I'll try to point them all out. 1. Obvious. Price is brutal in the net. I mean, his mistakes really devastate team's confidence, even when they don't result in a goal. I always praised him for his ability not to give rebounds. Now he can't keep a puck in his hands. 2. Dancing around Price, patting his rattled psyche on the back - come on, the guy was handed a place in the team at the start of the season, then Habs showed him their faith by trading Huet, played him instead of Halak... How much more do you have to do in one year to show him, that we think he's the one? If he still doesn't get it, he's not worth it. Period. I personally think he does. And he really seems he could use a little more rest. Everyone keeps saying he's only 20. And he is! But it doesn't mean, that every benching will kill him. It means he needs a more careful approach - riding him all the playoffs isn't careful. 3. By trying not to break one goalie's back, we literally kill another talent. Imagine, what does Halak have to think. He carried us last year - and in the most important moment, they turned to not entirely recovered Huet. This year, he comes to the camp, plays well in the camp - they turn to Price. Plays very decent games in March - in the playoffs Price plays, not matter how badly. Yesterday, he was great, he had one terrific save, didn't look rusty at all. If he was to look rusty in the playoffs, this was the time. I think tomorrow he would be only better. 4. Let's look at possible scenarios. We may play Halak and win a game - we have the cards in the hand. We may play Halak in game 5, we may sit him and bring back Price, saying the kid needed just some rest (and rest he needs, indeed). Of course, we may put Price in the net and win the game after a fantastic game by The Kid. But (correct me if I'm wrong) - wasn't that supposed to happen in game 3? Game 6, Boston, anyone? Without any rest, with Philly fans on his back... Well, I'm afraid I don't see it. In game 5 he would return to goal in front of his own fans. Another scenario (and I really don't want it to happen) - as Halak as Price may lose. If Halak loses - f-k it, he wasn't the option, we have to climb back the series. If Price loses after another shabby performance... Ouch, what do we do? And how does the kid's alleged fragile ego manages to swallow benching in game 6 after singlehandedly kicking his team down in the basement?

Submitted by Fansincebirth on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 09:05.

Did anyone catch Steven's post game comments? I missed them and would like to see if he is calling Hatcher a goon or gutless or whatever the hell else he called TK....

Submitted by imafogdevil on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 08:55.

Nor sure if it was mentioned, but on Downie's trip on Price, did anyone notice Price made sure his mask came off to stop play. It was a smart play, because the whistle goes automatically when the mask comes off. Hope Price rebounds from the goals that were scored on him. He is a smart kid. I am sure he will. Think positive people, and that positive vibe will find Price. ___________________________________________ It can only get better!! Go Ryder, Go Habs!

Submitted by Habsgirl (not verified) on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 09:30.

That's the only smart thing Price did all night then. Good for him.

Submitted by Habstilidie on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 08:28.

Well, once again we outplay the bullies, even when we're not playing 100%! We need to forget about their game and keep playing ours. Hitting the post is simple, it's not a goal. An inch makes a difference in any game, we just need to adjust to compensate for that inch. The flyers are clearly the worse team of the 2, and only have size on their side. Oh, did i mention the fact that the intent to injure is in their pregame pep talk? Cheap trip on Price, intent to injure on bouillon and they still manage to heckle price when he takes a seat. Hatcher should get 3 games as it was premeditated judging by his pregame words. Let's get back to business on wednesday, doesn't matter who's in nets, i trust in both. Get back to basics and we should see a 2-2 series back in the City that IS hockey! GHG!

Submitted by Habsgirl (not verified) on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 09:41.

I'm so tired of this nonsense. We didn't ouplay the Flyers. They outplayed us except for the Third where we brought it too little too late. If Montreal could play a full 60 like they played the last 20, they would win the series, but if ifs and buts were candy and nuts we'd all have a nicer Christmas. Let's get our heads out of the clouds, shall we? We are not playing a full 60 minutes like the Montreal we love. Price let in 3 goals on 11 shots. Is that outplaying Philly? If we keep telling ourselves that we are outplaying them but losing anyway then there is no room for improvement. We are not playing our best and we are not outplaying them. If we were the scoreboard would tell us a different ending to the fairy tale you are telling yourselves before bedtime. I am sick and tired of Montreal skating out there like it's practice in the first two periods and not the playoffs. They fall into a hole and THEN they bring their A Game and the Flyers can't catch them but by then it's too late. We've lost. Who do we play in net Wednesday? Halak. Sit the kid out. He's let us down enough. Why add insult to injury? Did you see his face on the bench? He was indignant. I teach kids that age. You can't correct them. They are all ego. Even when HE let the puck in he was shaking his head and not at himself I assure you. It's always someone else's fault at that age. If you can't see where you are weak, you can't improve. Sit Price. He needs a lesson in humility if nothing more.

Submitted by Gary320 on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 11:09.

We outplayed the flyers in the 1st, we outplayed them in the 3rd and in the 2nd it was more of Flyers domination.. but overall we outplayed them.. just because you don't score 3-5 goals.. doesn't mean anything.. out chances DIDNT GO IN cause of the posts. If you look at Goalies than we were outplayed. Boston outplayed us in many games last series, and we ended up winning so trust me that *** happens. As for starting Halak, I wont disagree/agree but to say that Price is blaming his teammates or that Price has an ego? That's f.ing ridicilous. Price was dejected, he was pissed off at himself he knew it was his fault you could see it in his face after each goal he was disappointed and even looked depressed.. dont tell me this boohaha that he blames the teammates..

Submitted by JB_15 on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 09:53.

Excellent post. I agree with all of those points. Unfortunately, this is the most important game of the year. If this were regular season, asbolutely Price sits. But sometimes, regardless of the right move, you have to save face. Price's immaturity is showing, but playing Halak in this magnitude of a game, if it's a mistake, will cost Carbonneau dearly. Can you imagine what would happen if he started Halak and the flyers lit him up, and we scored 3 or 4, and still lost. It's too risky a move. He hasn't played enough. And I say all of this, even though I agree with you.

Submitted by imafogdevil on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 07:59.

Who starts tomorrow?....Price starts, who else. You trade Huet to give him the number 1 job, so he starts. Live and die by your decision. Halak can go for it in October. Not now, unless Price has lost all confidence, which I am sure he hasn't. A better question would be what adjustments do you make to get in Biron's head. Having 30+ shots is no good when the goalie can see all of them. get someone in front of the net. Tell dandeneault and ryder if they want to play then go there and stay there. Tell Lats to go there and go at it. tell Lapierre to go there, prove your worth to this team and pull a Shanahan, not an Avery. Jostle, bump and chirp at Biron. That'll get things going. ___________________________________________ It can only get better!! Go Ryder, Go Habs!

Submitted by Fansincebirth on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 09:12.

A lot of our shots were from long range and with no bodies in front, ho hum, just another day at the office for Biron. We scored with bodies in front of him, screening and banging. Hell, if we can screen shots and tip them in on our own goalie, why not on theirs???

Submitted by ReverendJim on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 08:31.

As The Teacher would put it : BINGO, BANGO, BONGO...or something like that. Get in front of Biron and grab those fat rebounds. I can't believe that Latendresse is not doing that. A big body in front of Biron would throw the Flyers' D. Heck, even a small body in front of Biron would give us better chances and perhaps pull even more penalties! Flyers figured out that screened shots go in. Use it! We will get our bounces if we do that. But hey...I'm just a spectator!

Submitted by New on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 08:21.

You are right, unless Price asks to sit down, he should play. He has a weakness that is being exploited, and for which the team is not compensating. I know everyone is talking about 'chances', and posts, and crossbars, but when they went to work in the third both goals were scored from scrambles in front of Biron. To be a goal it is supposed to miss the post, crossbar, and goalie. No matter how the next two games go take a look at some of the players we all worship. Take your eyes off the puck and watch where they actually go, how they change lines, when they head to the bench. It's one thing to slam along the boards after a loose puck. It is quite another to slide between a goalie and 240 lbs of mean where the ref can't, or won't, see. That Koivu goes there when 6'2" youth won't...that says something. There's no secret to the Habs frequent comebacks, or 'bad luck' at the start of games. Watch them, not the puck.

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 07:47.

Boone is doing his job and pulling a Jack Todd and starting a controversy over our starting goalie and hundreds of posts will be made for nothing as the Great Carbo will go with Price as in game #7 against Boston and he has never showed any confidence in Halak and i'm sure Jaro is not on Guy's Xmas card list along with Chips and Ryder. Unless someone in his rocking chair intervenes.

Submitted by yehaken on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 07:57.

I agree, Halak has been the one truly screwed by the Habs this year. This is similar to what they did to Vokoun. Honestly I think Price could just use a rest.

Submitted by frank81 on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 07:58.

Contrary to popular opinion here, Carbo is not an idiot. He'll start the goalie whom he believes has the best chance of winning the game. If he thinks Price will bounce back - Price gets the start. If he thinks Halak is ready - he's the man. "The Great Carbo" isn't going to sabotage the team based on some imaginary vendetta against Halak.

Submitted by nightmare_49 on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 09:01.

frank81 - The Great Carbo has only used Halak when desperation calls for it like when Huet was hurt and Abey was a sieve or when we got to get him some ice time and also passed him up in the final game last year against the laffs and remember if it wasn't for Halak's play that game wouldn't of been important. All the time that Price was in Hamilton he never started Halak so there's a pattern there. That's what i'm stating and as you call it an imaginary vendetta so you can add Ryder and his 17 PP goals last year at the hot dog stand while our PP struggles.

Submitted by ReverendJim on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 07:46.

Frankly, its not about who starts in net in game 4. It's all about burying our 20 scoring chances we get every game!!

Submitted by jablonski27 on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 07:33.

Well its obvious this series is going to come down to goaltending and execution and we right now losing in both categories and the series. When we outshoot them by 20 shots and lose...... Also isn`t it weird how the team that should've won each game has lost?

Submitted by p_gagnon17 on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 03:54.

We all know Price is better than he showed tonight. Most of us I'm sure noted he was screened and pucks were deflected tonight, also. It happens. It's called luck. We've had none for three games, Philly has had loads. Their's will run out. Ours will come in. No reason to hit big red buttons or not start our #1 goaltender. Half the reason he was pulled, I'm sure, was to give the team a jolt. If trading Huet was any indication, Price starts Wednesday. And I wouldn't mind. Not one bit.

Submitted by Habsgirl (not verified) on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 09:47.

It's not luck. It's skill. They don't get paid millions of dollars every year because they have horseshoes up their arses. They get paid millions of dollars every year and have their fancy women and their fancy homes and their fancy cars because they have SKILL that millions of others do not possess. I want to see their SKILL ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THEY CAN SAVE THEIR LUCK FOR THEIR FANCY WOMEN AND THEIR LOTTERY TICKETS AND THEIR FANCY CARS. You see my point. But I digress....

Submitted by crazydude on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 04:30.

Exactly. Maybe the Canadiens forwards should start thinking about crashing the net more often and directing more traffic towards Biron in Game 4. I'm not talking about giving Biron a cheapshot like Mike Richards or bowling him over just 'cause they feel friendly towards him. Just get in his face and in his head for more than 20 minutes every game. Price will be back. No reason that he wouldn't.

Submitted by Bouleau noir on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 03:09.

The Flyers have been clearly outplayed twice in a row by the Canadiens yet the final score went in their favor both time,... the luck is ovbiously on their side... winning a game with 14 shots on goal... take the money and run thats all I can say. I dont blame Price on the goals,.. their were screaned and one deviated on Komi's skate,.. their third was a quality goal.. Flyers are full of sh-tt. The CH managed 34 shots, hit three posts in the first and Biron was beatten in the third by Higgins's blast but the puck hit his mask,... what can we say its frustrating... just imagine what the players must feel... now twice in a row.... a missmatch of force... 34 shots against 14... damned Flyers. Its not worth being critical of our team for their performance as it was clearly a good effort... they didn't look good on the 3 on 5 and thats a shame but what can you say..... at least we dont have morons like Hatcher in our team.

Submitted by the_larry on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 01:26.

I believe we have hit a new record for most comments for one game EVER! Congratulations everyone, and to you Mr. Boone.

Submitted by The Teacher on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 00:09.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:50. I am... "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price" LMAO, yeah the price was the stanley cup uhmm, what the HELL does that mean... btw you don't seem to get it. You want to win the Cup, you have to make sacrifices (pay the Price). sooo you need to get a hold of yourself, smack yourself once or twice and wake up. I talk hockey, you resort to personal attacks. get over yourself. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Submitted by KamiDave on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 03:56.

Don't get too worked up when someone is trolling and looking for just such a reaction.

Submitted by doug on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 01:18.

this is the last post on the thread?

Submitted by Will Longlade on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:57.

It doesn't matter who starts in goal for game 4. The reason the Habs lost games 2 and 3 is because they didn't finish and make the most of their opportunities. I'm still bullish on the outcome of this series and the Habs can win the series w/Price or Halak in the pipes. The decision re: which goalie to start on Wednesday is not as cut and dried as some posters are suggesting. I would be surprised if Carbo didn't give Halak the start on Wednesday. Price hasn't been sharp and there appears to be a concern that they're burning him out.

Submitted by 1010 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:57.

I think that even those contemplating playing Halak will be real nervous if Carbo did make such a bold move. Bold because of the obvious: He's never started a playoff game before. But neither had Price. The weird thing is Halak would probably be calmer than Price. He's not expected to carry a team on a cinderella(spelling) Stanley Cup run. I mean, if Halak strikes out there will be more talk of how the annointed didn't get it done than about Halak's failures. If they go with Price I'll be pulling for him more than anything. We talk about pressure and how calm some of these guys are but I wonder what a 20 year-old kid playing the most important position on one of the world's top 5 professional franchises is thinking right now? Or at least what he's thinking when Carbo puts him right back in next game. That sure is a lot of heat for a kid from a reserve in a remote part of BC. Go Carey Price go. GO HABS..

Submitted by JB_15 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:44.

This guy is all class, http://www.rds.ca/hockey/chroniques/250782.html

Submitted by doug on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 01:15.

so true. thx for the link.

Submitted by Timo (not verified) on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:33.

Again, how come nobody talks about the team not giving Price any reason to be relaxed a bit? Like say scoring on 5 on 3 or popping one of those pucks into an open net? Habs were not alive until that penalty by Hatcher in the middle of the third. Our best players as so often were not our best players. Kudos again to guys like Begin, Tom, Smoks and even Lats (he threw a couple of great hits).

Submitted by Norm0770 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:38.

I have to agree with that. A 2 minutes 5-on-3 and the Flyers were able to ice the puck 5 or 6 times. Pathetic. Not jumping off the band wagon, just going to bed to sleep this off.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:36.

hmmm last night 5 shots, 2 goals, hmmm tonight, not any better. Hard to come up with a game plan and feel "Into It" against a team that is out-played and scores so easy on your #1

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:31.

Price SUCKED! And so did the REFFING! GO HABS GO!!!

Submitted by D Alcorn on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:25.

Here : you guys need a laugh - badly. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl7PwY7RXMU&feature=related Always Habs - Dave Mex

Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:34.

LOL... been awhile since I heard "the champ" clips

Submitted by D Alcorn on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:43.

Yeah, popular with Rock 101 on the west coast and a laugh when traffic is the pits. Who's your friend - bit of a downer and doesn't seem to want to give it up ... Always Habs - Dave Mex

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:34.

that is funny

Submitted by ebk on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:24.

boone do you get a bonus for 1500 posts? nothing like a loss to liven this place up a little.

Submitted by Treefingers on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:16.

on a more positive note...most commented post to date?

Submitted by Norm0770 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:14.

The habs are facing a catch-22 with who to start in game 4. The next game will be crucial as it is the difference between a tied series and going home facing elimination. Halak only faced 2 shots in the 3rd period, and hasn't played a full game since in about 6 weeks. So you can't be sure of how he will perform. If they start Price and the Habs fall behind again then is it too late? Either way if the Habs lose, the decision on the starting goalies will be criticized and questioned. Even the trade that sent Huet away has also been reexamined by some posters earlier today (not me though). But those people should realize that when Price gets his next playoff win he will pass Huet in career playoff wins.

Submitted by JB_15 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:22.

Hmm, youre right, it is a catch-22. Win, and youre in a good position. Lose, and youre on the brink of elmination. Either way youre screwed....

Submitted by Gary320 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:18.

And.. atleast Price won a series.

Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:26.

Keep in mind that most often playoff games/series are won by the whole team - only occasionally does a goalie steal a win, and when he does he's hailed as a superstar. Also, can't blame Huet for not winning a series and give Price credit for it. They played and won or lost with the team in front of them, not single-handedly. Let's not go down that rocky road again...

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:12.

Funny how posters get all over you...and the only time that happens, is when Price is mentioned as being terrible. Does not matter if you bash anyone else, but touch Price and you should be shot. If everyone would stop smothering this kid and tell him how it is, and damn it, he is MTL's #1 goalie he SHOULD be able to take criticism (once in a while just say "Carey, you sucked tonight, you have to be better or the Cup run is over"), maybe he would get better....

Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:19.

Yup. Price is sacred - not sure why tho. He's a great goalie and will get better. But, sometimes he sucks and needs a chance to either redeem himself or take a seat for a game and be fired up for the next game. I think all the Price defending has to do with the Huet - Price issue a few months ago. Funny, once the trade took place both goalies excelled!!! It was a win-win move by Gainey. But, posters have to have the freedom to call things the way they see them without being bashed or called "bandwagon" or "fairweather". Remember, also, that following a loss many people speak from the heart as emotions run high, thus often controversy ensues!!!

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:22.

All that was mentioned tonight was to sit Price for one game, WOW things get blown way out of proportion with the "Price-Pals" :)

Submitted by Habsgirl (not verified) on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 09:53.

I agree. People aren't doing the kid any favours with blowing him up with this kind of obsession. Sit the kid. He's "earned" this rest.

Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:23.

Sit our #1 goalie for the most important game of the year? that makes SOOO MUCH MORE SENSE!!q "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:29.

i think next game is gonna be a win for sure by montreal... even if Danis were to play in net [uh-oh, here comes the barrage!!!]. habs forwards are gonna start connecting with the back of the net again and the misfortune they've been subject to vs. Philly will be but a memory.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:25.

If Price is in nets and MTL wins, no matter the score, it was allllllll Price, right?

Submitted by frank81 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:31.

That's just ridiculous. After the 1-0 game, Price said that the whole team deserved the shutout. Similarly, it's not fair to make the guy into a scapegoat after tonight's loss. Why is the vitriol only saved for Price? Why not the guys who hit posts or crossbars or missed wide-open nets?

Submitted by Gr8stFranchizEvr on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:41.

I think his point is that posters will be hailing him as King and Savior if Mtl. wins (which they will on both counts...) Good points about the forwards not being able to finish the play and find the net. they had some moments of huge frustration. had they scored, the pressure on Price would have diminished. However, I think the points being made tonight re: price is that he's not been playing top tier goaltending for a few games now and it's upsetting when you so desperately want the W. I still think it would do him a world of good to sit just one game and pull himself together. But, Carbo would need to promise him the start in game 5 so he knows the coach hasn't lost confidence in him.

Submitted by frank81 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:59.

If the team cashed in on even 1/3 of those chances, we'd be on the verge of sweeping the Flyers. It's not fair to heap all of the praise on Price when they win, and lay all of the blame at his feet when they lose. He hasn't been playing his best hockey, and it's a terrible time for a funk, but the losses aren't entirely his fault. It would be nice to actually play with a lead and see how he reacts.

Submitted by Gary320 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:17.

Because people always nitpick the goal-tender.. It was the same thing with Cristobal Huet, same thing with Jose Theodore, David Aebischer, Thibault, Hackett.. It's so EASY to blame the goalie, because.. his job is to save pucks.. and if just ONE GOAL goes in and its a 1-0 loss. He gets blamed for that goal.. I'm not saying he didn't play bad. HE DID. But to say that insulting the guy is going to make him play better.. thats funny as hell. Yeah I'm sure you'd like someone to run you down... thats just dumb. He's a goalie, and he's 20. Thats a double edged sword, he's mentally fragile after a loss like this.. Just ask Huet. And if you verbally beat him down.. your just asking for it.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:19.

IT IS NOT AFTER ONE BAD GOAL, OPEN YOUR EYES!!!! Always with the excuse "he is 20yrs old" let this one die, think of something else in his defense. Sheesh

Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:16.

Nobody said he didn't play good. It's funny when he has a bad game it's time to trust our playoff lives with a guy who hasn't faced but 2 NHL shots in 2 months LOL. GO HUET RIGHT? "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:17.

Well what has Price proved during the playoffs (yes 2 shutouts, but they were also playing BOS), read Boone's stats on Price his last 6. Stats are stats, next game Price has to sit or series is over...You can copy this and save it too.

Submitted by Gary320 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:21.

Yeah 2 shut outs against a team that OUTPLAYED The Canadiens in a lot of the games. I'm not saying he has been amazing.. Im just saying he has been good. You're saying he has been terrible. Anyway.. I should have been done with you 3 posts ago.

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:23.

Good then stop replying, remember I can type without looking at the keeeeee-bored

Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:19.

He's proved he can win ONE more playoff series than huet can. He's proven he can win a game 7 UNLIKE your hero. That's enough for me already at 20 years old. THIS IS GRAVY "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:20.

This is not a Huet vs Price series, it is MTL vs PHI (Biron vs Price)...Biron is better....ALOT better

Submitted by ice_queen on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:27.

Last I checked, this was a team sport. All your parts need to function at full capacity to win. Tonight, some of the parts were missing (goaltending and scoring) and we lost. When all the parts work, the victories come. People who defend Price aren't "protecting" him - they are seeing the big picture and not pinning the loss on one guy. Team sport, remember?

Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:22.

Really, not a cae of us not shooting straight? NAHHHH couldn't be eh. It's all about how much price sucks. Funny how u weren't around during the last 15 games of the year.

Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:26.

You neither only come around when something to bash. Why don't you put the blame on Kovy, Pleky or Streit Aksot? hmm? "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:29.

Why can' t can't you "Price-Pals" put some blame on him...I will NOT blame Kovy as he has been great, I will not blame Pleks for the same reason, or Streit (our best 2 way player and you bash him, nice, real classy, oh yeah you probably live in Montreal where people are just nuts)

Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:33.

Did I say he played well? -I said after the second goal they should take him out for a shift and put him back in. - after he dropped the puck for the Philly guy I said that was a definite WTF Carey moment. - KOVY GREAT? not in my opinion, very unwilling to sacrifice and give the second fforts most games. -pleky not willing to sacrifice at all -Streit, this is playoffs we're talking about. The regular season means nothing (but i haven't been in striet's case much) - thank god you prove you don't live in mtl. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:38.

I would be embarrassed if I did live in Montreal after last Monday's game. At least for a week ;)

Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:39.

Not a bright guy you are. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:50.

I am... "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price" LMAO, yeah the price was the stanley cup

Submitted by Y on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:10.

Next game is HUGE. It doesn't matter who's in goal, if you don't score and make good on your chances it won't help any goalie. Perhaps Price hasn't faced this type of "adversity" before but he has had 4 games to fix up whatever is wrong with him. I hope Guy's talk with him helps him out. The guy's 20 years old, and he is looking shaky but the team in front of him is probably feeling the same way. Next game will make or break him and this team With the effort in the 3rd they showed that they do want this series and if they can put forth that effort next game we are going to win this, otherwise it's time to enjoy the long summer ahead.

Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:11.

Whoah, next game is NOT huge.. you wrote them off remember. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Submitted by forskis on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:10.

I have faith in the Habs...they have been playing well...the Flyers are no earning their goals...Price is in a bit of a funk..it happens to every goaltender and maybe it is time to let Halak start...but I will not throw Price to the wolves...he is young, learning and will improve... The Canadiens are skating them into the ground and they are earning their goals while the Flyers are getting them easy...like I and many others have said, if they keep up this effort, the bounces will start going their way and they will win...if they were playing garbage and not getting chances or showing no effort, then I would be down...but right now they are playing well so I have faith Remember, during the Boston series, people were asking where the vaunted offense was...it has been there the past two games, but the finish is not quite there yet... I have faith and I believe! Canadiens will take the series! Go Habs Go!

Submitted by Treefingers on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:10.

way too much overreaction here...he's still a kid, this is his first NHL playoffs, he's going to learn from experience and get better. How much faith did you guys have in Price to begin with if you're talking about trading him or running him out of town, all after a small string of bad outings?

Submitted by frank81 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:04.

Worth a repost: Give Price a chance to grow into his greatness

Submitted by doug on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:10.

nice repost. . . missed it the first time - thanks.

Submitted by ebk on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:30.

doug, great post there a couple of days ago about the bandwagon, whos the bigger hab fan crap on this site. meant to mention it earlier.

Submitted by The Teacher on Tue, 04/29/2008 - 00:23.

Although I technically agreed with Doug's post. My bandwagon comments are generally reserved for those who say "I quit on them". "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Submitted by Norm0770 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:20.

He won't be run out of town. The knee jerk managment style that existed under Ronald Corey is gone. Price, although not playing his best (or even close to it), won't be affected by the media scrutiny.

Submitted by JB_15 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:08.

Sexyhab. as sexy as you are, or pretend to be, or whatever, you need to realize this is a 7 game series. That means the first to 4. We have 1. They have 2. I am no sexymathematician but the way I see it we've only just begun.

Submitted by The Teacher on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:01.

LMAO just remember he is a dude. "One face-off, one battle, one shift, one period, one game, one series at a time." "Are the Habs ready to pay the Price?"

Submitted by doug on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:05.

i think the thighs on the pic aren't attractive. . . cellulite. . . not supposed to wear short clothing with cellulite. Also, not supposed to have fat cells in your brain, which appears to be afflicting Mr. Riverview Flyer.

Submitted by JB_15 on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:11.

I guess if we wanted to get really technical, free fatty acids do play important roles in signalling and phospholipids are all fat...but yeah...

Submitted by Wops on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 22:59.

Nobody is bashing Price, most of us are sure he will bounce back. But sometimes an apple is an apple. We loss because of Carey Price tonight. i love the guy, he is the Franchise, he is the one. Just the learning process. _______________________________________ CH is for Chris Higgins

Submitted by RiverviewCanadien on Mon, 04/28/2008 - 23:02.

by saying he is the franchise is the problem though, sometimes, players get into funks, he is in one right now...he should sit and think about why he sucked tonight

Post new comment

About Mike Boone

Full Name
Mike Boone

About
I grew up in Park Extension, within walking distance of Dickie Moore's Dairy Queen on Jean Talon. Moore had a place on L'Acadie Blvd., and we used to see him driving around in his convertible with a Samoyed and a very dishy wife. While "studying" at McGill University during the 1960s, I used to attend games at the old Montreal Forum. My fellow undergraduate reprobates and I would scramble up the stairs to get centre-ice spots in the top standing room section, where aged ushers didn't know or care what we were smoking. I stood out in the cold for six hours to get tickets to the 1975 New Year's Eve game between the Canadiens and Central Red Army. With the exception of the birth of my daughter, the 3-3 tie was the greatest event I've ever seen in my life. The Canada-U.S. Gold medal game comes close .... but I wasn't there. I've been a professional journalist since 1974, when I joined the Montreal Star sports department. I've covered the 1976 Olympic Games, the 1979 Expos, pop music and MSO tours of Europe and Asia (classical musicians are WAY more fun to drink with than athletes). I wrote a TV & Radio column for 20 years and, since 2000, have written a City column for The Gazette. The best part of being a Habs Inside/Out contributor is attending games at the Bell Centre. I think it's a great building: noisy, raucous and packed to the rafters with Montrealers and visitors who live for hockey. And I still get goosebumps every time Michel Lacroix booms out "Accueillons nos Canadiens ..." Having seen the Boston Red Sox win two World Series and the Pittsburgh Steelers add a couple Super Bowl titles, I suppose I can die happy ... but not before another Stanley Cup parade. And I'd really like my daughter to see a historic New Year's Eve game. I like all the players. Covering baseball gives me a profound appreciation of pro athletes who aren't jerks. My weltanschauung was summarized by the late great Bill Hicks when he said "all matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream and we are the imagination of ourselves." Have a nice day.

The Puckcast

Weekly commentary and inside info about the Canadiens straight from the Gazette's experts.

Who starts Game 4?

posted by Mike Boone at 11h59 EST on Apr 28

Comments

Post new comment

Log in & Sign up

About Mike Boone

Boone's Online Eeee-mail

The Puckcast

Twitter

The Other Wing

Fan Summit Updates

The Rules

Most Commented

Resources

Sites we like