The Montreal Canadiens‘ inimitable goaltender has been named the NHL’s second star of the month for October. Carey Price is fairly unanimously considered the best goaltender in the world, but heading into the new campaign there were doubts that he could continue to dominate at the record-setting level he did last season.
Those doubts were erased as the team cruised to the best start in franchise history. As usual, Price played a massive part in that success. His 7-2 record in the month was well deserved, sporting a .936 save percentage and 2.01 GAA, early-season improvements on his individual statistical benchmarks from last year’s campaign.
Although Carey was rarely called upon to stand on his head, his penchant for clutch, highlight-reel saves remained a difference-maker as the team around him provided improved goal support.
In the Habs’ second matchup of the year against Toronto on October 24th, Price was relied upon heavily, and he was up to the task. His 49-save performance preserved the team’s winning streak and lived up to Mike Babcock’s wry pre-game assessment of him as a “pretty good” goaltender.
Price is now dealing with a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the next few games of action.
The Dallas Stars‘ offensive dynamo Jamie Benn (9 G, 8 A in 11 GP) and the Boston Bruins‘ David Krejci (7 G, 8 A in 10 GP) were named the league’s first and third stars, respectively.
