Islanders 3 – Canadian 0 | The Stations of the Cross

(Montreal) It was normal to expect a miracle on this Good Friday at the Bell Centre, but instead, we were treated to a perhaps not so miraculous performance from the CH.

Richard Labbe
The Press

However, the table was set.

In the net of the Canadian, there was Carey Price, this once haloed goalkeeper, sometimes able to transform water into wine or Gatorade into the nectar of victory, it depends.

Price hadn’t played since last July, in the grand final, and he didn’t have to do much in this Friday evening high mass; after 20 minutes the Islanders had just eight shots on goal, and after 60 they had a total of just 20.

But the final score was this: New York 3, Canadian 0.

Did you write down the last number? Yes, it’s a zero like in Ouellet, and that’s a reality that sums up Carey Price’s career at CH very well. Often, too often, his teammates are unable to provide him with adequate attacking support. Which gives this.

That’s nothing new, and that’s what happened Friday night at the Bell Center, with our tributes to visitors’ goalie Ilya Sorokin, who still stole a few goals from the local paddles that night, and often spectacularly, with 44 stops.

Then, when Carey Price appeared before the media at the end of the evening, we saw a relieved man.

“I came into this game fully prepared,” he said. I was trying to do game readings, like I usually do. After such an absence, it was perhaps ideal not to be bombarded with fire, and I would say that we deserved a better fate. »

Price is a nice guy and he won’t say it, but he’s used to this kind of match, where his margin of error is very slim, and sometimes even non-existent. It’s his Way of the Cross, and we take this opportunity to remember this delicate reality: in hockey, you don’t win if you don’t score.

Of course, the statistics for this great comeback are not so favorable to him – he allowed two goals on only 19 shots – but we must remember that the first goal, that of Parisé, came after… a three against zero! The second goal, Dobson’s, came on a perfect shot.

“It was a very good day overall,” added the star goaltender. I felt good, well prepared, and it was another game for me as usual. I felt ready, mentally and physically, my preparation was very good.

“Maybe there are a few play readings that I misread, including when the Islanders were on forecheck. It must be said that we haven’t often had the opportunity to hold several team practices over the past few days. But it was very pleasant and also very emotional, the reaction of the supporters warmed my heart. »

Martin St-Louis later added that there is no “plan” with Carey Price until the end of the season. There are only seven games left on the Canadiens schedule, and if we understand correctly, it’s basically the goalkeeper himself who will decide his schedule… except for Saturday night, when he should stay on the reservist’s stool, if we understood correctly.

“Are we a different team with a healthy Carey? Yes, answered Martin St-Louis. He’s going to do what he’s very good at… but the guys in front of him have to play too. We have to be more consistent. »

This is very true, otherwise the future of Carey Price will also look like her past, that is to say many games where her teammates do not know how to put her in it. But whatever. On this Good Friday, Carey Price got up, he confirmed his big comeback, and for the Canadiens, Montreal, and the province as a whole, it is a source of hope for the next season.

“I had butterflies in my stomach seeing him arrive,” added Paul Byron. I’m so happy for him, it gave us energy and emotion, it was incredible. The idea with him is to be able to end the season strong… to better build the next one. »

Rising

Joel Armia

If the big striker could play with this aggressiveness more often, he could become an important player for this team.

Falling

Corey Schueneman

The defender made the blunder that led to a three-nil, and the visitors’ first goal. You can’t do that. You can not.

The number

7

The number of shutouts for Ilya Sorokin this season. That ties a team mark, along with Chico Resch (1975-76) and Semyon Varlamov (2020-21).