Halak gets the start

posted by Dave Stubbs at 17h08 EST on Apr 30


The Canadiens have announced that Jaroslav Halak will start in goal tonight in Game 4.

It will be the first career playoff start for the 22-year-old from Bratislava, who played 19 minutes in Monday's Game 3 in relief of Carey Price, stopping both shots he faced.

Halak played the vast majority of the season with the AHL Hamilton Bulldogs, playing two periods in relief in Montreal on Dec. 8 and Jan. 12, then playing four games between March 8 and 29, winning two, losing one and losing once in overtime.

 




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Comments

smiler2729's picture
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 ????

Kaptain K's picture
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!

Fabio D's picture
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!

how can you blame the coach for idiots like Begin who take selfish penalties and cost their team the crucial game of the series. Begin and Latendresse should be benched. Give Ryder a chance-at least he can score.

Habs64's picture
Game over!!

Got2BHabs's picture
Eat your (stupid) words Habsguy!!!

The Cat's picture
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 !!!!!!!

CaptainKomisarek's picture
I think Andrei Kostitsyn is playing a horrible game. He could've had maybe 2 or 3 goals at this point. Either he misses the net or makes an extra pass for nothing. He is afraid to get hit or give a hit.

Got2BHabs's picture
You're an idiot!! "Kovalev could be the difference here IF HE WANTED TO" That's just retarded, what he's trying not to score, give your head a shake!! "Carbo can't instill a heart in his players, Capt K can't do it himself" What because they are not winning they have no heart. What game are you watching? I see them playing their hearts out. you are DISGUSTING!! Blow it out your butt!!!

CaptainKomisarek's picture
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!

Rocket Richard's picture
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

Corio's picture
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 .........

Hoegarden's picture
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. ]

G-Man's picture
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!

Will Longlade's picture
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.

Kythehabsfan's picture
I like Halak, but I don't agree with the decision. I think our Habs will win tonight but I think they would have with Price also. IMO, these are extremely important growth games for Mr. Price - he is our future between the pipes. As I said I like Halak, I just think this was an important moment in Price's development.

Hoegarden's picture
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

RH's picture
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.

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

Puck Bard's picture
GO HABLAK GO!

electazz's picture
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.

cautiousoptimist's picture
The Marlies? 1. www.flickeringpictures.com - not a hockey site, but still kinda neat 2. Josh Gorges on Montreal's attack: "They're comin', they're comin' and they keep comin'. Just line after line, wave after wave..."

frank81's picture
What's the over/under on Halak being called "Price... er, Halak" tonight?

tony d's picture
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??"

Puck Bard's picture
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!

why would anybody turn to ESPN for hockey news anyway, it's rot.

Puck Bard's picture
Gee you know you're right. I should be more like you and suffer in silence through TSN's endlessly insipid lovefest for the Leafs and curling.

Mitch.sc's picture
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)

The Cat's picture
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.

Nevermind that Saku had his eye carved out and we were never the same after that. I distinctly remember Carolina making a goalie change as well after game 2 and then beat us 4 straight. Hmmmmmmm...similarities? Let's hope so.

Puck Bard's picture
Remember it well. Because I was at game 1 and 2 and thought Habs had it in the bag.

electazz's picture
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!!!!!!

Puck Bard's picture
eletazz, you just nailed my thoughts completely.

showey47's picture
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.

Puck Bard's picture
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.

The Cat's picture
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.

Do you really think Price is going to morph into a Pet Detective? Hockey has to pay more than that.

Well, I was thinking more about putting on a green mask, robbing banks and kissing Cameron Diaz! That's my kind of side job :)

Ah yes, good point - I didn't think of that.

captaink4life's picture
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!!

C-Dawg's picture
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.

Connecticut Man1's picture
I am pretty certain the team will look at it the same way they would if Price were in the nets. Most of them have played with him before and know that he is very capable. For the life of me, I do not understand the people that think this is the end of the world or even remarkable, for that matter? This is what always happens when your starter goes cold and it is no big deal, IMHO. It is the reason you have a backup goalie and, in our case, we are lucky it is Halak.

jimstr's picture
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!

Fabio D's picture
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!!

Connecticut Man1's picture
I agree with this statement 100%: "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!!"

Connecticut Man1's picture
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.

moeman's picture
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.

Chorske's picture
AMEN.

Habs64's picture
Halak has no pressure?? Only the biggest game in 10 years for the Habs!!!!

Connecticut Man1's picture
I would say you were right if the Flyers already had 3 wins (3-1, 3-2, OR 3-3), but it is only 2-1.

Gr8stFranchizEvr's picture
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?

I definitely believe but your other assumptions are dead wrong. Price is not right at this moment. If Halak wins he stays. As soon as he loses Price is back in.

ice_queen's picture
I believe. Halak will be solid, the D will have his back, the offence will score lots, the PP will be kick ass and we will win. I'm optimistic. Tonight's the night.

jimstr's picture
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!

JB_15's picture
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!

ths's picture
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.

Habs64's picture
Better luck next season!!