THE PRICE IS WRONG

When the 2008-09 season kicked off in October, the Montreal Canadiens were supposed to be one of the favorites to come out of the Eastern Conference. Montreal, celebrating it's 100th season and ready to host the All-Star game in January, seemed poised to capture their unheralded 25th Stanley Cup. But something strange happened along the way and the Canadiens are finding themselves failing to manage the lofty expectations placed on them by the rabid fan base and smothering media in Quebec's capital city. With 67 points, the Habs are currently in sixth place in the East, and just two points ahead of ninth place Carolina. At 2-7-1 in their last 10 games, Montreal is fading fast and searching for answers. One solution that the Canadiens should look to is benching goalie Carey Price in favor of Jaroslav Halak. It may be just what the doctor ordered.

When the Canadiens played the Maple Leafs on Hockey Night in Canada two weeks ago, announcer Jim Hughson mentioned that Price was too deep in his net. Price allowed five goals that night (a 5-2 loss), and looked visibly shaken afterwards. His confidence was clearly down, and he wasn't cutting it in net. In fact, Price hasn't won a game since, and has just two wins since new years. The way he crumbled in the playoffs last year can't make Habs fans feel good either. He played well in a 4-3 OT win against the Flyers in the first game of the Conference Semi-Finals, but then completely fell apart and was pulled late in game three, and benched for game four. Montreal lost the series in five games.

While yes, it's true that Price is only 21-years-old, his struggles have to worry the Habs. This was supposed to be their year (again), but instead it's looking like young Price is going to need more time to develop. Whatever the Canadiens do, they'll need to do it fast. They are 3-11-1 since January 20, and are struggling to score as well as keep the puck out of their net. The team's struggles, coupled with the Soprano...er, Kostitsyn brothers' troubles, should make for one interesting rest of the season for the Habs.