if were the coach i’d go with Halak.

Posted by Oilers Rock from Edmonton on 04/19/09 at 01:28 PM ET

Halak. 

It shouldn’t really be perceived as a slight against Price - Halak’s stats have been better all year, and he looked great in the third period.

I think that Price definitely has a future in this league, but we can’t overlook the fact that Halak also happens to be an incredible goaltender.

Posted by PRC. on 04/19/09 at 01:32 PM ET

Doesn’t matter whether the struggles are his own, or the fault of a team playing poorly. I would shut the kid down. Halak played well this season, and it doesnt look like the Habs are going far anyway.

Let Price regroup over the off season and start fresh next year. The kid still has tons of talent. No sense burning him out or stringing him up over a lackluster year all around in Montreal.

Posted by Nate A from Detroit-ish on 04/19/09 at 01:34 PM ET

Halák. Same reason Detroit went to Osgood over Hašek last year. It may not work, but the current situation isn’t working, either. Halák has, overall, outplayed Price this year, and deserves a shot to bring his team back, or at least audition to go to another team to get more playing time.

Posted by Muero from Ohio on 04/19/09 at 02:08 PM ET

You have to look at this from two directions.  If you’re just looking at trying to win this series, you start Halak.

The thing is, Gainey also has to try and keep his job.  Now, there’s a rational argument to be made that if the Habs win this series Gainey keeps his job… but I don’t think Halak means the Habs win the series, it just gives them a better chance.  Maybe a 10% chance to win instead of a 0% chance like they have right now.

If Gainey has to essentially bench Price, the kid Gainey himself selected in the draft and really the only noteworthy young player on the roster five years into his tenure as a GM (yes, there are other young players on the roster, but none who are legitimate top-line/pairing threats), at some point the Habs organization has to look at Gainey himself rather than changing coaches for the fourth or fifth time and keeping him as GM.

Maybe, and it’s a longshot but maybe, if Gainey sticks with price he can at least make the case that Price is still ‘young and improving’, or blame the roster for not playing well enough, or come up with some other shenanigans to keep his job for one more year.

Honestly though, I don’t think there’s any way he should.  Given the nature of the Habs contract situation, where they have a ton of guys coming up to be re-signed, I think this is the perfect time to fire him.  The new GM could come in and have immediate flexibility to re-make Montreal.  If they give Gainey another year they are going to end up with the players he signs for at least 2 or 3 more seasons.

Posted by HockeyinHD on 04/19/09 at 04:04 PM ET

It’s tough to say. Changing goalies in the playoffs can either ruin or save your team. It worked great with Osgood last year. But more times than not, it only makes your team worse because there is no longer any confidence in net. The same thing seems to be happening in Washington and I honestly don’t see either team making it past the first round now.

Posted by Josh from Tampa on 04/19/09 at 08:01 PM ET

Halak. No questions asked. The biggest question mark for the Habs going into the post-season is whether or not Price would choke. While injuries have plagued the Habs and their offense has disappeared for stretches, they are a talented enough bunch to play a tight, well-fought game. But instead, they would give up weak goals—long range, demoralizing goals. In the playoffs, you have to be confident that your keeper will stop the straight on shots, your defense will limit the odd-man rushes and passes across the hash marks and that your offense will throw the kitchen sink at the other goalie.

Pulling Price had to happen. He’s deserved it since the half of the season and Halak has been extremely stable even after getting minimal time this year.

~Rox
http://www.tinyurl.com/goalieblog

Posted by Goalie Blog on 04/20/09 at 02:04 PM ET