ESPN (Scott Burnside):
If the Montreal Canadiens are so sure rookie netminder Carey Price will rebound from his Game 5 gaffe in Saturday’s Game 6 at the Boston Bruins, why did the team keep him from the media Friday? Only in the NHL can one of the bright young stars of the game be shielded from the cruel pokings and proddings of the media the day before a big game. We’re not talking just morning skate here — we’re talking a full day and a half before the actual contest. But no, the precious (and now presumably fragile) Price was kept under wraps. Don’t want him to be unduly reminded of his poor play (his mishandling of the puck led to Boston’s winning goal, which allowed the Bruins to stay alive and pull to 3-2 in the series). Wonder why the NHL has an image problem and why people don’t have a sense of who the stars (especially the rising stars) are? If Price is as strong as he appears and as strong as everyone suggests, why wasn’t he available like his teammates, each of whom is feeling pressure to finish up this series? And where is the NHL on this? If the hockey gods were watching, there will be a seventh game back in Montreal and we’ll really find out what Price is made of.
