Carey Price named Canadiens’ Game 4 starter

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak, left, is replaced by Carey Price after giving up the third goal during second period Game 3 against the Washington Capitals NHL Eastern Conference quarterfinals hockey action Monday, April 19, 2010 in Montreal. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Ryan Remiorz)

AP

Joe shared this first, but at that time it was unclear if this was official or not. Martin admitted that Price is going to start in the morning skate today.
Word out of Montreal is that Carey Price will start ahead of Jaroslav Halak for a big Game 4 for the Canadiens against the returning to form Washington Capitals. Here’s the report from CBC Sports.

Montreal coach Jacques Martin is rolling the dice and going with goalie Carey Price in hopes the Canadiens can even their first-round playoff series against Washington.

Price was given the nod over Jaroslav Halak at Wednesday’s morning skate, hours before the Canadiens host the Capitals in Game 4 of their NHL Eastern Conference quarter-final at 7 p.m. ET.

He earned the start with a 21-save performance in relief of Halak in a 5-1 Game 3 loss on Monday.

This is the equivalent of a failing investment firm firing their receptionist. Halak has had highs and lows in the series, as the story illustrates pretty nicely, but their problems run deeper than who is in net.

Halak posted a 4.07 goals-against average and .887 save percentage in the first three games of the series, compared to 2.40, .924 totals in the regular season.

Price appeared in 41 games during the regular campaign, sporting a 2.77 GAA and .912 save percentage.

Naturally, neither Halak nor Price were forced to face the Capitals for all of their starts so their regular season stats are a moot point. The Canadiens pulled off a nice win in Game 1 and were close to having two wins, but it seems like reality is starting to set in. I’d probably focus on getting Jose Theodore back in the net for the Capitals, personally.