Halak's impressive performance may stir controversy

Feb 14, 2009 - 11:32 AM By Zachary Ingraham PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

A goaltending controversy may be brewing in Montreal.

If their most recent performances are any indication, Jaroslav Halak could begin to challenge All-Star Carey Price for the Canadiens' starting job.

Halak made a career-high 46 saves as Montreal avoid its longest losing streak of the season with a 4-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Friday.

"It wasn't easy, but we got the two points, and we needed those," Halak said. "It was a tough game because they were shooting from everywhere. They were driving the net - always somebody in front of me."

It was a major improvement from Price's performance two days earlier. The 21-year-old surrendered seven goals on 27 shots during Wednesday's 7-2 setback to the Edmonton Oilers.

The sub-par showing resulted in the Canadiens' fourth loss in a row and ninth in 11 games.

That trend would have continued if not for Halak, whose performance inspired his teammates.

"In the first period, (Halak) made two key saves, and we felt on the bench that it gave us momentum," said defenseman Patrice Brisebois, who gave Montreal a 2-0 lead late in the first period with his fourth goal of the season.

"Right after that, we scored a goal, and then we got another one. It was fun to play with the lead because we've been behind a lot and had to play catch-up hockey. It's hard to win games in the NHL like that."

The Canadiens thoroughly were outplayed after the opening session, getting outshot by a 36-9 margin over the final 40 minutes. But the Avalanche struggled to get the puck past Halak.

"We put everything at (Halak)," Colorado's Ian Laperriere said. "We tied the game at the end and they just came back. We had almost 50 shots on net, but (Halak) played well for them. We should have had more than two goals, but he made a couple great saves."

The 23-year-old Halak, who had lost his previous two starts, stopped three different breakaway chances to carry his struggling team to the win.

"We had some great plays by our goaltender tonight," Canadiens captain Saku Koivu said. "It wasn't the prettiest of wins, but sometimes you need a game like this to get back on track and build some confidence."

"The way we've been playing lately, we needed one goalie to step up, and Jaroslav did that tonight," coach Guy Carbonneau added. "He made the saves when we needed, and I think that's a good start for our club."

Halak still will have a tough time unseating Price, who is viewed as Montreal's franchise player. The second-year pro is 18-11-5 with a 2.73 goals-against average and one shutout this season.

But Price has not looked good since returning from a sprained right ankle, which forced him to miss eight games prior to the All-Star break. He has posted a 2-6-0 record since coming back on January 20.

The Canadiens were punished for their faith in Price last season. After trading away Cristobal Huet at the deadline, Montreal was knocked out of the playoffs after Price struggled against the Philadelphia Flyers in Eastern Conference semifinals.

If Price's recent woes continue during this critical stretch, the Canadiens will have a problem.

Halak could provide the solution.