With thanks to the Goalie Post. Thank God for Jesus Price.
Before the arrival of Carey Price being a hab fan in Toronto was not an enjoyable experience. Since the departure of Patrick Roy the Canadiens began a decade long slide that included being owned by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
After Hab fans ran Jocelyn Thibault out of town and the Leafs switched to the Eastern Conference the Leafs OWNED the Canadiens. No matter who the Canadiens put between the pipes it did not seem to matter.
Jeff Hackett was a miserable 8-18-3 against the Buds. Jose Theodore 5-10-5 and Cristobal Huet the best of the bunch was 3-4-1. Two of those wins for Huet came in back to back games that eliminated the Leafs from the playoff picture in 2006. Other than that lone bright spot, it was a miserable ten seasons.
When Price was given his first start against the Leafs I had high hopes that he could end the decade long depression. In his 5th career NHL start he drew the Leafs in Toronto. The Leafs dominated the Canadiens outshooting them 40-25 but the Canadiens hung tough due to the play of the rookie. Price kept it close long enough for Bryan McCabe to make one of his patented boners sending Komisarek in all alone to end the game in OT.
Two weeks later Price once again drew the start against the Leafs and once again the Leafs threw the kitchen sink at him again. The Leafs outshot the Habs 46-30 yet came out on the short end of a 4-3 Canadiens shootout victory.
Price's career numbers against the Leafs consist of a 4-1-0 record, with a 2.17 GAA and a .935 SV%. Thank you Jesus Price for ending my Toronto nightmare.
note: Halfway through this post I realized I have probably jinxed the Canadiens for the second straight night as Steve Mason enjoyed a strong night on Friday in a 4-3 Blue Jackets win. But I rationalized keeping this post up by blaming Jaroslav Halak for a less than stellar performance.
If the Canadines lose tonight, my 7 readers all of whom are Leaf fans can thank me on Sunday.
On to tonight's starters
Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins
P.Lalime (vs Bruins, 10-5-3, 2.83 GAA, .907 SV%) probable
T. Thomas (vs Sabres, 6-6-2, 3.09 GAA, .901 SV%) probable
A matchup of a goalie who can't stop pucks versus a guy who can, yet I have no idea how.
Montreal Canadiens @ Toronto Maple Leafs
C. Price (vs Maple Leafs, 4-1-0, 2.17 GAA, .935 SV%) firm
V. Toskala (vs Canadiens, 4-2-1, 3.09 GAA, .893 SV%) probable
Seeing as Jaroslav Halak has started 2 out 3 Canadiens losses, it will be nice to see Jesus Price back between the pipes. Does this mean that the Canadiens think that Toronto is better than Columbus?
Pittsburgh Penguins @ NY Islanders
D. Sabourin (vs Islanders, 1-1-0, 3.01 GAA, .887 SV%) probable
J. MacDonald (vs Penguins, 0-0-0, 3.00 GAA, .895 SV%) probable
It is probably not a good sign when the best goalie you have is sitting in the General Manager's suite and that goalie sucked as well.
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Philadelphia Flyers
O. Kolzig (vs Flyers, 14-19-3, 2.74 GAA, .908 SV%) probable
M. Biron (vs Lightning, 10-7-2, 2.70 GAA, .906 SV%) firm
Is Bobby Clarke still the GM? When is Philly going to realize you can't win shit without great goaltending. Martin Biron, is NOT the answer. Unless your question is which goalie is overrated.
NY Rangers @ Washington Capitals
H. Lundqvist (vs Capitals, 1-3-0, 2.52 GAA, .913 SV%) firm
B. Johnson (vs Rangers, 1-0-0, 2.66 GAA, ,875 SV%) likely
I've got nothing. I love New York City?
New Jersey Devils @ Detroit Red Wings
K. Weekes (vs Red Wings, 0-6-1, 4.60 GAA, .872 SV%) probable
C. Osgood (vs Devils, 5-9-1, 2.72 GAA, .908 SV%) probable
My hanging shirt is better than your hanging shirt. Looking at those career marks you have to wonder if this has the possibility of going to a 75 shooter shootout with zero saves and Gary Bettman calls down and rewards the first tie in NHL 2.0 history. I expect a huge night from you tonight Mr. Parise.
Calgary Flames @ Columbus Blue Jackets
M. Kiprusoff (vs Jackets, 10-3-2, 1.81 GAA, .933 SV%) probable
S. Mason (vs Flames, 0-0-0) probable
After last night's win the Steve Mason hype machine gains steam. Who cares if he has a 3.37 GAA and a .889 SV%, HE IS 2-0! The story of him being a saviour is much better. Meh
Nashville Predators @ Colorado Avalanche
D. Ellis (vs Avalanche, 1-0-0, 1.00 GAA, 1.000 SV%) probable
P. Budaj (vs Predators, 4-2-0, 2.62 GAA, .918 SV%) probable
Dan Ellis has been stinking out the joint this year, but when you employ two sieve's in net you go with the guy who has a perfect record right?
Florida Panthers @ Phoenix Coyotes
T. Vokoun (vs Coyotes, 11-7-1, 2.51 GAA, .916 SV%) firm
I. Bryzgalov (vs Panthers, 0-0-0) firm
At what point do people start calling out Gretzky for being a shitty coach? I love the great one, but if he was the first line center and had put up 40 points a year for his first 3 years would the media tell everybody he is a star but has shitty wingers?
Minnesota Wild @ Vancouver Canucks
N. Backstrom (vs Canucks, 7-1-3, 2.03 GAA, .928 SV%) probable
R. Loungo (vs Wild, 6-11-4, 2.94 GAA, .892 SV%) probable
Ride the gino until he gives up a goal, then ride him some more. (Anti jinx alert LUONGO SUCKS).
Dallas Stars @ San Jose Sharks
M. Turco (vs Sharks, 20-7-5, 2.21 GAA, .913 SV%) probable
B. Boucher (vs Stars, 4-4-3, 2.31 GAA, .924 SV%) firm
What are the odds that Boucher puts up 3 straight shutouts? You say he did it 5 times in a row before? Nevermind.
St. Louis Blues @ Los Angeles Kings
C. Mason (vs Kings, 4-1-1, 1.44 GAA, .951 SV%) probable
E. Ersberg (vs Blues, 0-1-0, 3.06 GAA, .903 SV%)) firm
Hey look, a team exists that Chris Mason can defeat.
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