Halak gets the start

Listen to you people! You're all over each other!!! Hilarious! Did it ever occur to any of you that the Flyers are playing some very good playoff hockey??? Their PK is awesome! Their goaltending is bang on! Their opportunities are being finished!! What the hell, people, lighten up! Carbo's a fantastic coach who keeps getting better and Gainey's constantly assessing what he has and will make them better (more grit and killer instinct needed please Bob). Steve Begin is a little too rambunctious but tonight's loss is squarely on the referee who just had to decide the game to satisfy his ego. To call a penalty on Begin for a hit that was a non-call when the Flyers were doing it not 5 minutes earlier is complete BULLSH*T.

should have said 100%

I don't know how you guys can dump all over Begin, ya he took a bad penalty, But at least he tries, he gives 1005 each and every shift !!!!!!!

Got2BHabs...did you ever notice how the teams best player puts the team on his back in the important games, the guy who leads by example..tell me one good play Kovalev had outside of the one rush when he looked like the Kovalev of the regular season and drew a penalty to boot....and you know you really shouldn't resort to childish name calling.......unless you are a child ????

What happened to the good ole days when the refs used to say "let em play" or "lets not call any game changing decisions in the last 5 mins" i mean look at that call, utterly rediculous, it was 1 second after he touched it, they need to go back to before the new nhl, these refs are a joke. And habs played amazing once more, only person i can blame, was lats was playing horribly all game, and why is brisebois on he almost scored on us. We should switch those two for Stewart and O'Byrne respectively. anyways GO HABS GO, 3 in a ROW! --- We ride together We die together Habs Fans for Life!

Someone explain to me the merits of the dump and chase game?? I have seen very few puck handling plays with the Habs in this year's play offs, dump and chase dump and chase, I'm sick of seeing it. What about the pretty passes the Kostitsyn's are feeding each other, behind the back, through the legs, I even saw one of the boards in the last 2 minutes that was picked up by a Flyer player and made for a play deep in the Habs zone. It's hockey, not Basketball! I'm p'd right now at how this team has let this series slip through their fingers. I don't see them mounting a comeback Bruins style. If they do I'll gladly eat the Shite brick I dropped tonight. Only against the Habs do teams like the Flyers and players like Biron look like hockey gods. ARRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!! I can't watch these games anymore. Better they lose Saturday, can't take the heartbreak if they win one and give me hope for an extended series.

Begin hax Sh**t for brains! I pray we don't resign him! Habs deserved a better fate!

Game over!!

Eat your (stupid) words Habsguy!!!

Kovalev, Streit, Kostitsyn...Too many important players sucking. Sure we buzz in the offensive zone but its rarely dangerous, flyers only do it once or twice and they capitalize.

Wanna know why the Canadiens are missing chances and just a little off? Because Carbo changed the lines. It worked for Game 7 against Boston, but why on earth did the coach keep them for Philly? Kovy, Pleks and Big K were together all year and were the Habs' best line. Koivu, Higgins and L'il K were together for about half the year. You don't suddenly change that in the playoffs!

You can't blame the coach for not trying....Kovalev could be the difference here IF HE WANTED TO !!!!!!....if you guys can't see that he has lost interest then you are BLIND....Carbo can't instill a heart in his players, Capt K can't do it himself...The K brothers are invisable....DICUSTING !!!!!!!

Time to start a fight maybe? Get something going. Our powerplay is nonexistent..

Submitted by LBChase on Wed, 04/30/2008 - 20:47. I posted this on MONDAY--I REPEAT HABS ARE A POORLY COACHED AND STUPID TEAM. When you mis if you do go for the net while shorthanded you IMMEDIATELY get on your horse and skate back up the ice. THERRIEN IS A GENIUS COMPARED TO CARBONEAU. -- Well coached teams WIN Pittsburgh shorthanded with less than 2 minutes to go and up only a goal get a great 2 on 1 break towards the Rangers goal. Many of the teams with that exact same opportunity the way it opened up would have gone for the net and hoped to have scored which would have clinched the game , thinking nothing about what if they miss and get both their forwards caught up the ice behind the net burnt out and the Rangers flying back at their only 2 other defenders on the ice. Well Penguins didn't even go for the goal they just killed more valuable time in the corner at Rangers end and then fresh returned to their end after running down more time off the clock. Pittsburgh won the game. Compare it to the score right after 2 periods now 1-0 behind an inferior team than you are. You're a jerk! not a habs fan! get off this blog piece of sh****t!

Flyers 1, Habs 0 after 2 periods Watch the Habs come out on the attack early and often in the 3rd. They should get 1 or 2 passed Biron. If not, it will be tough to get back on this one. The Rocket believes, habs are getting the chances, its just a matter of time. Time will be tell. Yours Truly, Rocket Richard " YOU MUST HATE TO LOSE " http://leonsinvestmentservices.info

3rd period about to start and they still can't find the net..

Whatever is going on,philly has figured out Montreals gameplan, and the habs coaches havnt got the god given sense to counter with something. If all they can do is dump and chase, then start mowing the grass. And that bob cole should only be allow to broadcast leaf games because he hates to lay praise on any other team in Canada.

Whatever is necessary to win this game...be it Halak or be it Price, please guys just get the job done.....where are you Kovalev??? The fans believe, guys you have to believe in yourselves too.......GO HABS GO .........

Guy, please talk to Streit; the friggin puck will not/not/not go through a Flyer's pads. Borrow a page from the Pens PP (Malkin on the point), like we did earlier in the year with SK74 on the point. If not good enough, put Kovy on the point,but please get 32 off the PP. ]

Yes folks, Carbo's are the biggest. Game on! Gilbert Remember '71? Remember '86? Now is the time to believe. The Drive for 25 is on! Go Habs Go!

I'm very high on Price, but starting Halak in this game is absolutely the right decision, regardless of the outcome. I never bought into the theory that sitting Price for one game would shatter his confidence and ruin his career. Nor did I buy into the idea that Halak isn't prepared to go. That was a bunch of malarkee intended for naive consumption. If the real Alex Kovalev shows up for work tonight, the Habs will win. Nice diversion by Carbo.

In all the other series, their top guns have prevailed. Kovy, Higgins, Pleks; the time has come to be your very best and take charge. Go Habs

Good. I think Price could use the night off and get ready for when he's called upon.

If Price is injured, fine... if not, big mistake. I hope I'm wrong.

WOW !! GUY'S GOT BALLS!!! Love Price ,but he should sit this one. Good luck Jaro! GO HABS!!! I BLEED BLEU BLANC ET ROUGE!!!

GO HABLAK GO!

We gotta use our speed. Their defence is slow. If we could get a couple early then we could dictate the tempo. "Don't stop fighting, till the fight is done!"

What's Bob Cole and Dandy Greg Millen going to talk about without Carey in nets, half their script was on Price.

you know what? I'm not freakin out with the news...so my gut tells me that this is an ok move....sounds like just the tonic the boys and Carey needs...takes some of the focus off of Price and has those dumb Phillies scratching their neanderthal heads going, "Huh??"

From ESPN: The Canadiens sent pending free-agent Cristobal Huet to Washington at the trade deadline for a draft pick, trusting Price to become the No. 1 goalie. Now they have to turn to Halak instead of an established Huet. What rot. I'll take my chances with Halak any day over Huet. Huet let in a ton of goals in the first round, he's never impressed me under pressure. GO HABS GO!

Guys Relax, We're going to win tonight, Halak made a beautiful save last time, he was barely tested but what we saw was good, we know he's solid, and he has yet to let us down. We will win tonight, as long as we play the way we have (or better)

If Price has/had something wrong with his finger and the habs played him when they have a future number 1 goalie as a backup, then theres something very wrong here. Jean Perron mentioned that Price's father has been hanging around. That could be the problem right there, some hockey parents are just a bit nuts sometimes and it has a negative effect on the player.

I've be saying all week that Price's glove hand had to have something wrong. Don't be surprised if he has a broken finger or something. He hasn't been using his glove like he should. Halak will do to the FLYERS what Carolina did to the Habs by putting in Cam Ward after to consectutive losses. He stoned them and Carolina went on to win the CUP. Biron can't have a horshoe up his butt forever!!!! GO HABS GO!!!!!!

wow, gutsy move by carbo. Unless price is hurt i'm not sure i agree with this move. Putting a goalie who has only played 20 minutes in the past month should force the 5 players in front of him to play with alot more desperation. Even though it is only game 4 it is essentially game 7 for us because it is a must win. We can't go down 3-1.

I think ultimately this is very good. Habs have been playing in front of Price like the know he's always gonna be there to backstop them. Time to put some guys to work, and some pucks in the net in the first 20 minutes.

I agree Habsim, I say keep Halak in until he loses. Go Halak! Go habs go!

I think most of you guys are forgetting the fact that it's probably gonna mess with the flyers strategy... They found Price's weakness, top glove side, and they exploited it, now with Halak, they have no idea what they're getting and what to expect. Plus, I think the players were starting to lose confidence in Price. Better take him out now before it's too late. Let's not forget the state of mind in which Halak will be tonight. He's been waiting for his chance for a long time, so I expect him to come out really big. I like Carbo's choice. Who cares about next game, next series or next years? The fact he's not playing tonight of even next game isn't going to turn Price into the next Jim Carey. The important question is who gives us the best chance to win tonight, and I think the answer is Halak.

It makes sense after seeing all that footage of Flyers players hitting his glove with their sticks. If Price is hurt (or injured) then it is definitely to his left hand, which has been problematic for him the last 2 games. _____________________________________________ Koivu for Prime Minister :) Drive for 25!!

I have to assume that after talking to Price, Carbo consulted with Rollie and his other Asst. coaches before making this decision, and I'm sure it was a decision by committee. I'm sure Halak will do a great job tonight, and the boys in front of him will finally outscore the Cryers....er...I mean Flyers.

not confirmed by the habs but on RDS they say that Price has been injuried by Richard in game #2.... :( ______ an expert is someone who learns more and more about less and less, and eventually knows everything about nothing. http://habs-io.myminicity.com/ - click and populate!

GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!! GO HABS GO!!

Whether you are grooming your future starter OR your future backup, I think this move makes sense. Everyone on the roster needs to know that long slumps mean you can get bumped, and every backup player (regardless of position) needs to know that they are on the roster for a reason. I think this will be for one game unless Halak does something outstanding. And I really think this will be good for Price's development.

Positive all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Habs Go!

If Price's confidence is as fragile as some people think he should quit now and go home. He has had three rough outings in a row and needs to sit. Every goalie goes through times where he is fighting the puck. You work through it on the bench or in the lineup. The point is you work through it. We cant afford another game like the last one. Good move Carbo.

Halak has no pressure?? Only the biggest game in 10 years for the Habs!!!!

I suggested this move since the loss on Monday. I really think it's a wise move by Carbo. I'm sure he talked to Price and said, "Take the night off and give yourself a break. Be ready for game 5 in Montreal, 'cuz you're starting." Likewise the conversation with Halak went something like this: "Price needs a mental break. I'm playing him game 5. So, right now you go in there and help us back into the series tonight. Oh, and the boys are fired up and plan to turn Biron into swiss cheese." If they win, great move. If they lose (highly doubtful), it's the whole team, not just Halak. Time for a Canadiens' revolution tonight. They will go home with a split in Philly and carry the momentum and take this series in 6. Do you believe?

we lost 4 of our last 6 games and need to win 3 in the next 4. ______ an expert is someone who learns more and more about less and less, and eventually knows everything about nothing. http://habs-io.myminicity.com/ - click and populate!

As I was the first to say that Halak should be in net last game (while I was screamed at by virtually everyone on here) - I will repeat what I said last game: HERE WE GO JA-RO, HERE WE GO!

I agree with this move. There is too much swirling around Carey now and it is a distraction to both him and the team. Halak has no pressure and it could be paydirt for him. If he plays well he is a hero. If he plays bad he can blame Carbo for not keeping him fresh. If he plays average then the habs should win and everybody happy. Let Carey sit and watch and get some perspective. The russian guys should take him out and get him L8. The he can come back to the rink and get back to basics and get his game back.

Better luck next season!!

Please stay positive!! We need a W tonight and a shitty attitude will do nothing to help the cause. Koivu for Prime Minister :) Drive for 25!!

I like Halak, but this is a bad decision for various reasons: A. If price is the present and the future then this does not bode well in terms of a vote of confidence. You win and lose with your starters... unless its crunch time, which it's not the case here. we're not down 3 - 1 here... B. Halak is a good goalie but has not really played a lot. What more to say? C. I like Carbo but this is a panic move. I mean, come on what's all that bull#$%^ about "I have confidence in my goalie stuff." I guess its not true Carbo. I "Diriangen" do have confidence in Price and I think he could have pulled this one off. Having said the above, I really do like Halak and I hope he does well. Bring on the Slovak curtain and let's (try to) kick some butt. Go Habs!

Halak is going to face 10 shots, and allow two goals. we'll win 7-2 and Price will be back for saturday.

remember guys, that Halak was the best goalie in the AHL this year. He really deserves a chance, and if he plays well, keep him in. It's about winning, not about favorites. And if you want the habs to win, you'll support them no matter what! I can't believe some of you would prefer Price, even tho he's playing badly. he's allowed 20 goals in the last 6 games, and lost 4 of the last 6 games. C'mon people look at the stats, and Price's body language.

Gutsy call by Carbo. I LIKE IT! Now if he would only get over his personal dislike for Ryder.

i AM all for it... however... it does send the following message without any doubt whatsoever... I, BOB GAINEY MADE THE SINGLE BIGGEST MISTAKE IN THE LAST 119 YEARS OF NHL HOCKEY... AT THE TRADE DEADLINE THIS YEAR !!! WE DIDN'T NEED TO PRIORITIZE OUR GOALTENDING...OF EVEN FREE UP 5 MILLION DOLLARS FOR NEXT YEAR {WHY FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS HAS IT ALWAYS BEEN "NEXT YEAR" WITH THIS TEAM} WHAT WE REALY NEEDED WAS A BIG STRONG 1ST LINE CENTER MAN WHO CAN AND WANTS TO SCORE WITH REGULARITY AND THEN DOES! period !!!

It doesn't matter who's in net because we are gonna light Biron up tonight!

Can everyone just CHEER THIS FRIGGIN' TEAM ON TONIGHT!!!!! Man this is pathetic... Everybody now, GO HABS GO! GO HABS GO! GO HABS GO!

Looks like Rollie could not tweak Carey's game on the glove side in time or they figure that mental fatigue is too obvious and it's best to rest him until Saturday. On the other hand, it is one heck of an opportunity for Halak. I'm more worried about the D protecting him from the rugby tactics Philly uses. If we can score first, and we will, then it's half in the bag.

Well, Dunno what to say. I can only think Price is hurt. Halak seems like a strong goalie, but we just don't know because he hasn't had the time to show it. Maybe Carbo is going to play Stewart and Ryder and Grabovski too........ Now that would be a headline! ___________________________________________ It can only get better!! Go Ryder, Go Habs!

I personally disagree with this decision. Carbo should've played Halak last game, after Price's shaky performance in game 2. That way a loss would not be a reason to panic because it would simply result in a 2-1 series lead for the Flyers and a win would just make Carbo look like he was up to his old tricks again with regards to goaltending hunches. It would've also given Price a physical and emotional rest for tonight's game 4(and the rest of the series). At this point a loss means the end of the series (barring a miracle) and a win simply complicates the goaltending situation for the rest of the playoffs. Management declared Price the starting goaltender and they showed that they had full confidence in him. You can't just sit him down after a couple of bad games.

Relax guys. We just need Halak to stop those simple shots that Price couldn't-and continue getting those shots on net. We don't need Halak to be spectacular, just stop the simple shots like the Flyers second goal. I'm not putting the blame on Price last game, and his confidence definitely isn't gone. The Upshall goal was just a nice shot, Richards goal was one goal Price should've had, Dowds goal was caused by mistimed hit behind the net by Komisarek. Price will bounce back. Go Habs Go!!

i believe in Price, but this has to be all about freshness. if Carey is tired, and i imagine he is exhausted, Halak can bring his A game and the Habs can route them.