ESPN (Scott Burnside):
Good week
After being criticized for his unorthodox trade-deadline maneuvers, Montreal GM Bob Gainey woke up Monday morning to find his Canadiens leading the Eastern Conference. Montreal went 3-0-0 after Tuesday’s trade deadline, after which rookie netminder Carey Price was thrust into the spotlight following Gainey’s trade of nominal starter Cristobal Huet to Washington. Price has allowed just four goals on 92 shots over that span. Now, Gainey won’t be free from criticism until Price proves himself in the postseason, but this was as good a start to the Price era in Montreal as anyone could have expected. The team’s recent play reinforces that the Habs look are a team capable of doing plenty of damage come playoff time.
