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Price gets second chance

TIM WHARNSBY

From Saturday's Globe and Mail

Latest comment posted at 1:14 AM EDT 03/05/08

Rookie netminder regains starter's job with Habs facing elimination against Flyers in Game 5 on Saturday, Tim Wharnsby writes ...Read the full article

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  1. Watching the country slip away . . . one concession after another from Canada writes: I love the Habs, and as such, I'm the first one off the bandwagon when they suck and first back on when they win. Right now, I'm off. Price gets to finish out the season at home - great. Nice playoffs against a much lesser team, ladies. You played like wet turds.
  2. Bill H from Canada writes: Doesn't matter who is in net, they are done.....unless the refs step in and do their usual work of trying to hand the game to the habs.
  3. Bob Fugger from Victoria, BC, Canada writes: It wouldn't be a G&M forum unless Bill H. left a douchey comment.
  4. Ryan M from Canada writes: Bill H, are you Super Troll in disguise? Half-serious question.
  5. Warren H from Canada writes: I think the Habs should dress Kovalev this game .......
  6. Frank Mahovlich from Canada writes: Bring on Lafleur, Lapointe, Lemaire, Shutt, Savard et al for Game 5 - they couldn't do any worse even at their ages.
  7. Pat Billings from CDN, Canada writes: Flyers will continue their choking trends (like all Philly sports teams) and allow the Habs back in the series.
  8. steve allan from Canada writes: Oh well, it was a good regular season. Too bad the team went into a funk in the playoffs.

    Now that they've made the decision to put the boy back in net, I bid you all a fond - see ya next year!

    Ciao.
  9. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: Good luck to Carey Price and the Habs in game 5.

    Now, if the the rest of the Habs can play desperate hockey and create some traffic in front of the net to obstruct Biron's view of the puck, we can worry about game 6 in Philly.

    Go Habs.
  10. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: You hab fans are something else.... how are the ankles lads..... tough getting on and off that bandwagon isn't it?

    Did any of you honestly think your group of rookies had a chance to win the holy grail?

    Come on now.

    The only team in the east with any playoff experience is the NYR and they are toast. Either Dallas or Detroit are going to smoke whoever comes out of the east (probably Philly).

    I have said many times.... Gaineys plan was for them to get experience this year.... I would say that his plan has come together.

    Real fans would see that and be happy.... bandwagon jumpers... well ... get out your crutches.

    Cheers
  11. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: Should be a wild game tomorrow and I wish Price the best. Don't roam too far from the crease. I'd love to see the Tricolore play again on Sunday and beyond. I wish Carbo would play Ryder, but I guess he's in the doghouse. At practice today, Coaches lines were..
    A. Kotitsyn - Pleks - Kovy
    Higgins - Koivu - S. Kotitsyn
    Begin - Smolinski - Kostopoulos
    Lapierre - Streight - Lats
    GO HABS GO
  12. T E from Oakville, Canada writes: Habs fans aren't exactly bandwagon jumpers. They just tend to be overly critical of their team when it it underperforms. Unlike Leafs fans who will continue to believe they are contenders and keep making MLSE tons of money as the Leafs continue to ice a miserable team.

    At least Habs fans keep the franchise motivated to at least try to win.
  13. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Thats it Alberto.... have some confidence.

    I'd like to see Ryder in there as well.... maybe a couple others that are willing to pay the price in from of the net (Chipchura sic)?

    At least you habs fans aren't Colorado or NYR or San Jose fans.... imagine what they are going thru.

    Cheers
  14. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Oh Ouch T E.. I'm hurt to the core.

    Read Steve Allan and Watching's comment... sorry dude but real fans don't do that.

    Ask the Boston Red Sox fans. Ask the Chicago fans.... being a fan means putting up with the bad and the good... not whining about a sub standard team who overperformed and isn't going to win the cup.

    Like they had a chance in hell.... I mean really.

    Lucky they made it out of the first round ... but the experience was what Gainey was all about.

    Cheers
  15. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: I also wish that Chipchura and Ryder were playing tomorrow night...

    However, should be fine if everyone in that lineup just shows up...

    PS... Loucks: If today's game in Halifax was any indication, the Leafs should keep an eye on this guy ---

    Robert Kristan (G) - Slovenia

    Cheers
  16. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Anybody remember the '04 playoffs? Habs were down 1-3 vs Boston with a very hot Andrew Raycroft in net. They solved Raycroft in Game 5 and took the series. Koivu was there, and so were seven other Habs on this squad. This is a much better team, and anything can happen.
  17. Alberto Bayo from Canada writes: No matter what happens these playoffs, I'm very pleased with Montreal's year, progress, and what the team accomplished. They're young and skilled and will provide a few years of exciting, highly competitive NHL hockey, and they'll only get better...
    I've always heard that Gainey's building plan targeted 2008 - 2009 as the clubs premeire season, during this era, when all the pieces were in place. He never landed the big name player, but it seems he realized what he had on skates already was becoming too valuable as an entity itself. That big name might come along still, but even if it doesn't happen, I think the current squad will turn some heads over the next few seasons.
  18. W R from Stratford, PE, Canada writes: Habs in a laugher Sat. night. Much tougher on Sun. back in Philly. Game 6 likely to be decided by the War Room or a late penalty. Not fair to either team to have to play two important playoff games on consecutive nights in two different cities but still an advantage to the home team on the second night.
  19. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Dave the Rave.... 8 players left from that team? Not sure but I think you are wrong. (You counting Ryder?)

    As far as I know 2/3rds of the the Canadians have less than 2 years NHL experience. Hence the rookie comment.

    Cheers
  20. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: The 2004 Canadiens who came back from a 1-3 deficit included Koivu, Kovalev, Brisebois, Bouillon, Higgins, Plekanec, Komisarek, Begin, Markov, Ryder. So actually nine. Claude Julien was coaching. Higgins and Plekanec were 20-year old rookies; Komisarek only 21, had played just 46 games; Kovalev had come over from NY for (!) Josef Balej; Ryder was the team's #2 scorer with 25 goals (Richard Zednik was the leader with 26). The Bruins had beat them up pretty good too as I remember (which made a great background story for this year's Habs-Bruins tilt and the reversal of roles). This was, I believe, Theo's last full campaign with Montreal; Mathieu Garon was his backup. So undoubtedly the '08 edition of Les Canadiens is a big leap forward. Hockey is a game of momentum and surprises, so...
  21. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: oops...I meant 10 from the '04 roster. As for the rookie count, that would be Lapierre and Sergei Kostitsyn; brother Andrei is just 23 and still adjusting to the NHL; Latendresse is only 20; and the back up forwards are all youngsters (Chipchura, Grabovski, D'Agostini, Stewart). On the D, Gorges and O'Byrne are still learning. The Flyers do have a distinct advantage with a deeper bench, and their balance of experienced/relatively young players. Adding Vinnie Prospal was a great move: he is a wily and tough forward who feeds Briere. Hartnell, Upshall, Umberger, Carter, Richards all playing their best hockey, as is Biron, who seems to have matured this year. And the Flyers' D are not only huge, they are seasoned. Considering how strong Philadephia finished (winning 7 out of their last 10 regular season games), the difference in these two teams is not that great.
  22. Mariposa Belle from Leacockland, Canada writes: I would like to remind W R from Potato Head province (or should I use Al Gore's spelling) that there is only one important game for the Habs and that when, where and at what time Game 6 is played is immaterial.
  23. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Another interesting aspect of the Montreal-Philadephia matchup is comparing them down the middle. Habs have Koivu, Plekanec, Smolinski, Lapierre; Flyers have Richards, Carter, Umberger, Briere; with Jimmy Dowd, an ex-Hab (from the '04 squad), as a grinder. Edge to the Flyers, logically. One of Gainey's goals was to acquire another impact player; a power forward would make a big difference in Montreal. Look at Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Franzen in Detroit, and you get the picture. Finally, those who think letting go of Huet was a mistake, just have a look at the replay of the last goal in Game 7 of the Caps-Flyers series. One of Huet's flaws is that he loses sight of the puck too easily; the other is that he is hot and cold (like Biron was for a long time). Price and Halak are fundamentally better than Christo.
  24. W R from Stratford, PE, Canada writes: Mariposa Belle, it's very material to consider when the Habs win Game 5. Having to play the next night after travelling to another city is a huge advantage to the home deck and clearly stacks the deck for the Americans.
  25. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Dave the Rave;

    You know your hab history well..

    I remember that series... Zednik got taken out with a seriously cheap shot (can't remember who did it).... and the habs still came back and won the series.

    So based on your list.... half the team has less than 2 years NHL experience... still pretty impressive.

    Cheers
  26. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: W R; You sound bitter.

    You really think games are decided in the war room?

    Come on.... give me a break. Attack the refs if you want but the NHL is trying to make sure games aren't won/lost on a bad call goal.

    As for back to back games.... oh wow.... an hour and a half flight that both teams have to go thru.... give me a break.

    Excuses suck W R.... they need to suck it up and win game 5.... Philly is a young team as well and folded last series.... no reason that they won't fold again.

    Not that I see it happening... Habs are a little too soft for this hockey.... wait till next year.

    Ouch ... Dallas just scored.

    Cheers
  27. R Miller from Halifax, Canada writes: re. Habs history

    The Zednik elbow was delivered by Kyle MacLaren.

    Cheers.
  28. Ziggy . from Canada writes: Unfair scheduling is having a visiting team open a series on one day of rest, after playing games 6 and 7 of the previous series on consecutive nights.
    Kyle McLaren took out Richard Zednik in game 4 of the 2002 Bos/Mon series.
    Dan Quayle thought potato hand an E in it. Al Gore invented the interweb
  29. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Ziggy;

    Mentioning Al Gore on a hockey thread.... where intelligence prevails... is just wrong :)

    Cheers
  30. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Actually, Kyle McLaren flattened Zednik in the '02 playoffs and was suspended for three games. He now plays for the Sharks. :-) PS anybody noticed we haven't seen much of Jesse Boulerice?
  31. Dave The Rave from Ottawa, Canada writes: Interesting factoids about the Habs '04 comeback...Habs had lost game 4 in OT after failing to hold a 3-2 lead; current Flyer Mike Knuble played for Boston; so did the notorious Sergei Samsonov; Joe Thornton had a terrible series; Martin Lapointe took a boarding penalty in Game 7 that cost the B's a chance at a comeback; the Habs had finished seventh and upset the 2nd place Bruins. Montreal lost the second round, swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning. What a difference four years makes...
  32. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Scot Loucks you dufus...

    You've been trolling on every Habs thread since the playoffs started.

    No one's interested in your crap.

    Do us all a favour and STFU.
  33. Scot Loucks from Pickering, Canada writes: Hi Ricky the Centrist;

    Come talk to me if you ever have anything intelligent to say.

    Cheers
  34. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    You're only here for one reason - to stir up trouble.

    So cram it.
  35. LOU SMITH from PHILADELPHIA, United States writes: WE BOTH HAVE ALOT TO LOOK FORWARD REGARDLESS THE OUTCOME. BOTH TEAMS ARE YOUNG, EX A FEW HAB PLAYERS, AND FUN TO WATCH. THE EASTERN CONFERENCE WILL BE GREAT THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

    ONE THING TO REMEMBER ABOUT PHILADELHIA, THEY AINT SO BAD. THEY ARE YOUNG, DEEP, MISSING GAGNE AND HAVE A FARM SYSTEM FULL OF BUDDING YOUNG SUPERSTARS. THIS TEAM WILL BE THE TEAM TO BEAT THE NEXT FEW YEARS. GET USED TO IT.

    TALK ALL THE TRASH YOU WANT. i DO NOT DISLIKE THE HABS. THEY ARE LOCKED AND LOADED AND CAN STRIKE QUICKLY, BUT GIVE THE FLYERS THEIR DUE WITHOUT WHINNING.
  36. Mike C from Philadelphia, United States writes: Love to see Habs fans arguing amongst themselves. That speaks volumes. That kind of bickering says it all. You know they're done. Let's go Rangers!! Soften up those Pens a bit more before the Flyers face them. Philly knows it's time to put this to bed in order to recharge for the next opponent. I can't wait to hear the Habs fans start criticizing the players golf swings. Geaux noir et orange. Let's go Flyers.
  37. W R from Stratford, PE, Canada writes: To Mr. Loucks: Did you see the goal that wasn't last night. War Room disallowed it. Not a single TSN commentator agreed with the decision and they sounded completely baffled by it.

    The ostensible purpose of video replay was to take away the controversy. Has it succeeded? Not really. Many times the replays are inconclusive with the same result as would have been achieved by just letting the referee call it. I also remain convinced that allowing an off ice group regardless of their expertise to decide outcomes is bad for the game. Rightly or wrongly it opens the door to questions about the sports' integrity.
  38. Mr. Hab from Singapore writes: Well if they lose, it will be the case of the better team not winning. Habs have outplayed them but haven't been able to put the biscuit in the net.

    It could be worse. We could be leaf fans.
  39. Mr. Hab from Singapore writes: Mike C:

    The Flyers pitiful record in the last few years should bring you no such cockiness. I hope you have the cahonas to come back to this site should your superstars lose tonight. I really hope the flyers ARE thinking about their next series as you suggest they should. Everyone in hockeydom knows that a couple of bounces gone the other way would have the Flyers on the brink, where they belong. Frankly I like the Habs odds. They did it 3 years ago with less talent and against a better team than the Flyers.
  40. Mike C from Philadelphia, United States writes: It's OK Mr. Hab. Bounces this, hockeydom that. Take another look... It's three games to one Mr. Hab. Deal with it instead of spewing that nonsense. You can bet I'll be back here to stuff your face in the Habs' demise. By the way, it was a pitiful record last year and the Flyers didn't make the playoffs... but neither did Montreal. In fact, the Flyers have made the playoffs every year except last year since 2000-01. But.. Montreal has missed the playoffs three times in that span... who owns more pitiful records? Get back your drive-thru window and get to work. To the rest of the fans, cheers... to Mr Hab choke.
  41. Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: You heard it here first- CAREY PRICE WILL WIN TONIGHT. Watch how far this kid's pride takes him.

    Lot of junk on this thread. Scot Loucks is not a troll. He knows whereof he speaks unlike many contributors.
  42. brad maddigan from Canada writes: Price has been proving people wrong all year, and tonight will be no different. This series is far from over.
  43. The Habs from Toronto, Canada writes: A young team that has done a great job this year. Is there room for improvement ? Of course there is. Gainey, Carbo, Jarvis , Muller and Melanson have done a great job with this team. Ryder is most definitely gone and I think Brisebois will be pressed next year and may just retire. Was it a mistake with trading Huet ? Well he didn't help the Caps beat the Flyers, so I don't think he would have helped.

    Gainey has the team looking at the big picture. Maybe pick up some pieces that they were lacking and make a bigger push next year.

    Not giving up on my team; they have outplayed the Flyers for several periods but not for an entire game. I said it'll go 6, but I do think it'll go 7. Great future we have.
  44. Bill H from Canada writes: I hope the Flyers are ready for tonight.....there is going to be a red carpet leading to their penalty box for them.
  45. steve allan from Canada writes: Bill H - is there another refrain to your whine or are you out of material. Say something intelligent for a change!
  46. Ian m from United States writes: Bill H ha sa lot of anger, he is angry even though his team is up 3-1 and lost the last game on a cheap power play. Such anger means he must be a Leafs or Sens fan
  47. Verona Raven from United States writes: This series makes me yearn for the days of Harold Snepts, Jay Miller, and Garth Butcher.
  48. Bill H from Canada writes: Ole Ole Ole..cough cough choke!

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