On Friday's edition of Puck Daddy Radio, we debated which player found the most redemption this season based on where they were at, or near, the start of the season.
Rob Pizzo opted for Ilya Kovalchuk, who went from $100 million pariah for the New Jersey Devils to a player that's scored six game-winning goals in 12 games. I opted for another player that's mended his reputation and silenced his critics: Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price.
Take a moment to think about his journey in the last year. Riding the pine during the Habs' playoff run while Jaroslav Halak became a sensation. Watching as Canadiens fans wept when the team chose Price over Halak and shipped the playoff hero to St. Louis. Listening to jeers at Bell Centre during the preseason. Reading about all the moments of immaturity and inconstancy that had some wondering if he'd ever become the goalie he was drafted to become under the Montreal microscope.
Today, the conversation has changed about Carey Price. His coach and teammates are heaping accolades on him, as Montreal heads into a critical game at the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight.
For Price, it comes down to maturity, preparation and raw talent.
Travis Moen of the Habs on Price, via the Gazette:
"He's really an athletic goalie who's a great technician," Moen said. "He makes that first or second save and then we have a chance to clear the puck. As he's getting older, he's grown in confidence. He worked hard this summer. I trained with him some of the time and I know he wanted to have a good year."
Said Mike Cammalleri to CBS Sports:
"For sure it was rough for him at the beginning, but what helped him I think is that he got used to dealing with a lot of adversity last season," said forward Mike Cammalleri. "The way he handled things last year was telling about his character. The guys saw it in this room and in practice when he worked so hard.
"The thing about Carey is that he knows how good he is and he has confidence in himself. The guys in this room and management always knew what he's capable of doing. Now everyone else is seeing it too."
Price's coach, Jacques Martin, agreed that his preparation and maturity have been the difference this season. From Pat Hickey of the Gazette:
"Carey has given us a chance to win every night," Martin said. "He's made tremendous progress in the year and a half that I've been here. Maturity-wise, he's improved. His work ethic is improved and his fitness level is better, but probably the biggest change has been his intensity. Being a laid-back individual, he's been a little more conscious that he needs to be more intense."
Price's recent success has him back in the top 10 in goals-against average (2.34) and save percentage (.922) and he's second in the NHL in wins (30) and shutouts (seven). The seven shutouts match the best for a Canadiens goalie since Ken Dryden had 10 back in the 1970s. Since then, Hall of Famer Patrick Roy, Jose Theodore and Cristobal Huet have each had seven shutouts in a season.
Roy, Dryden ... it's not the first time Price's name has been mentioned with those legends, but this time the conversations don't seem premature. He's turned the corner -- at least in the regular season.
The bottom line for Montreal and Carey Price: redemption doesn't stop at 82 games. He has a 3.17 GAA and an .894 save percentage in the playoffs, having gone 5-11. He hasn't won in his last eight playoff appearances.
The turnaround must continue in the postseaon for Price.
Connie Nielsen Melissa George Cameron Richardson Chandra West Kasey Chambers
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