There's probably a little gamesmanship going on, but Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau declined to name his starting goaltender for Wednesday night's pivotal Game 4.
Truth is, it would be a real surprise if Carey Price was not back in net for Montreal, despite his struggles in the series thus far.
Price was pulled from Monday night's game in which he gave up three goals in nine shots. In the last six games, Price is 2-4 with a 3.55 goals against average and an .869 save percentage. Price's numbers were 24-12, 2.56 and .920 during the regular season.
Carbonneau gave his rookie goalie a pep talk today.
"He told me to just hang in there," said Price, 20. "I've been through a playoff series before. We're one game away from turning it right around. What can you do? The pucks have eyes. Sometimes they hit the ice and bounce straight up in the air. Sometimes it doesn't go your way."
If Price doesn't start, Jaroslav Halak would get the call. Halak, 22, saw the first playoff action of his career Monday night. He stopped the two measly shots the Flyers managed in the third period.
And, by the way, if you have read Sam Donnellon's column from today, a new poll shows that the Canadiens really are Canada's team. Follow the link.
Rich Hofmann has been at the Daily News since 1980. He previously blogged the Eagles' postseason run in 2006. 
Ed Barkowitz was the first Philadelphia Newspaper journalist to write a blog, starting back in 2002.
Comments (8)
You would expect nothing less from the front-loving Canadians. If montreal sucks next year, Toronto will be "canada's team", that is, unless the Canucks are better, or Edmonton. Pansie front-running loving wishy-washy fair weather canadians can't even stay with a team. They'd be goose-stepping down Ste. Catherine Street before you could say "heil" if there was even a WHIFF the German's would win WWII. GO FLYERS!
Posted by CSD | April 29, 2008 8:13 PM
Hey CSD
Why dont you pour a beer on yourself just like your boys Dowd, Carter and Richards.
Posted by goof | April 29, 2008 8:27 PM
Tell you what? I'll be sure to pour a lame Moosehead over my head to celebrate the Flyers kicking the Les Crabs collective butts. Better than destroying my city like you dimwits.....after a FIRST ROUND win. Talk about LAME.
Posted by CSD | April 29, 2008 8:32 PM
I am sooo wasted
Posted by Philly drunk | April 29, 2008 9:28 PM
That's what happens when you let children drink.
Posted by Canadian beer is german beer laced w/ur-ine, Eh? | April 29, 2008 11:22 PM
Almost five years to the day since a team from Canada last won a playoff game at Wachovia (May 5, 2003 Ottawa - Cechmanek was in goal for the Flyers).
The refs can give Montreal every break in the world, but they can't score goals for them. As long as the Flyers play smart and stay at least 5-on-5, the Canadiens are done.
Baisez Les Habitants...
Posted by yahmpy | April 30, 2008 4:53 AM
Every Philly fan that goes to Habs inside/out tonight, and posts a comment on why the Flyers are a better team than Montreal will be part of a finals package, tickets, travel and hotel accomondations. Limit one.
Posted by The Teacher | April 30, 2008 2:16 PM
According to La Presse in Montreal, Halak will start in goal tonight for the Canadiens
Posted by littlerob | April 30, 2008 5:36 PM