The Montreal Canadiens are off to an impressive 8-2-0 start to their 2014-15 season. What is most impressive about the Habs quick start, is their ability to come back from early deficits, and winning games early on when Carey Price was not on top of his game.
In the opening game of the season, Price allowed three goals on 27 shots, but the Canadiens scored four to top the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Price’s next start was against the Philadephia Flyers, and he allowed three goals on the first 15 shots he faced, before shutting the door and allowing an incredible third period comeback that led to a 4-3 shootout victory for the Canadiens.
Oct 25, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save during the third period against the New York Rangers at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
His next start was against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and Price would be beaten four times in the first forty minutes of the game, and would sit on the end of the bench for the third period.
Price’s fourth start would once again end up with a win, but it was far from his regular stellar play. He allowed four goals on 29 Boston Bruins shots, but the offence bailed him out once again, scoring six in a 6-4 victory that improved the team’s record to 5-1-0.
So, after four starts, Price had been pulled once and allowed at least three goals in each game, which led to an uncharacteristic 3.82 goals against average and an ugly .874 save percentage. Price was not himself to begin the season, and the Canadiens were very fortunate to have a 3-1-0 record in those games.
However, since the win over the Boston Bruins, we have begun to see the Carey Price we have been accustomed to over the past few seasons. Instead of the offence winning games for the Habs, Price has been the team’s star over his last four games.
Oct 21, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) gives away a puck as he is name first star of the game against Detroit Red Wings at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Price stopped 32 of 34 shots against the Colorado Avalanche in a 3-2 win at the Bell Centre, before leading the Habs to a 2-1 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings by making 27 saves.
Price then stopped 34 of 35 shots he faced against the New York Rangers to ensure the Canadiens had a perfect four game home stand before heading out west. In his first start out west, Price was seemingly the only Canadiens player that showed up, turning aside 37 of 38 shots in a 2-1 shootout victory.
Price has posted an incredible 1.22 GAA and an equally impressive .963 SV% in those four wins for the Canadiens. Offence was not an issue to start the year, but it has been in the last handful of games for the Habs. Luckily, Price has played so well that their offensive woes have not cost them even a point in the standings.
Oct 16, 2014; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save against Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara (33) during the first period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Price now leads the Canadiens into Vancouver, where they will face the Canucks tonight. Carey grew up in the province of British Columbia, in Anahim Lake. Though it is a nearly 12 hour drive from Anahim Lake to Vancouver, this is as close as Price will come to playing in his hometown in his National Hockey League career.
Price’s recent play suggest he is ready for a great game tonight, but his career against the Vancouver Canucks shows he is always prepared to be on top of his game when facing his hometown team. Well, except for the first time he faced them, but that was over five years ago.
In his first start in Vancouver, back in 2009, Price was shellacked for seven goals and was yanked in the third period in one of the ugliest games of his career.
Since then however, Price has started against the team from his home province six times, winning five of them and losing in overtime once. Three of those games were in Vancouver, like tonight’s game will be, and Price has won all three, allowing a total of just four goals in the three contests, while facing 102 combined shots.
Once again tonight, Price heads into his hometown game as the leader of the Canadiens. He has been their best player recently, and if his recent history in British Columbia is any indication, Price will be brilliant once again tonight.