MONTREAL, QC. — When Carey Price posted back-to-back wins against the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins this past week, it had been a month since he last completed the feat.
Therefore it was a bit of a surprise to me when I saw Jacques Martin select Alex Auld as the starter against the New York Rangers this past Tuesday, a game that the Canadiens would go on to win 2-1.
My issue was not that Alex Auld was playing. I really don’t have anything bad to say about Auld. In his past four starts, he’s posted a record of two wins and two losses, a goals against average (GAA) of 2.25, and a save percentage (SV%) of .924. Auld also historically has a good record against the Rangers.
My issue is not with Auld. My issue was that Carey Price was not playing, he who had finally put consecutive solid games, both producing wins.
I keep hearing that Alex Auld needs to play more games. I consistently hear that it’s important that he gets more play because the Montreal Canadiens might need him down the stretch. Really? Is that why we got Alex Auld, for the stretch? I think not.
This argument had substance to it when Auld had only played two of the first 29 games the Canadiens had played to start the season. Playing only about once every 15 games, or seven percent of the time if you prefer, the argument was there that perhaps Price was being overplayed.
However, if you look at what has happened since then, you quickly notice that Auld has played four of the last 23 games. This averages out to about once every five or six games, or 17 per cent of the time, more then double what he was playing earlier on.
Can we truly say that Price is currently being overplayed? I would disagree with those that do.
Alex Auld’s biggest win this season was against the Florida Panthers on the 31st of December, to close out the 2010 year. The Canadiens were coming off of a three-game losing skid, losing five of their previous six games. Playing against one of his numerous old teams, Auld was strong, and helped the Canadiens leave Florida with a 3-2 overtime win.
This win seems to have put the team back on the right track, although they went on to lose the next game against the Thrashers, they then posted three consecutive wins, before splitting the last two games.
Carey Price, in his last five starts has gone 3-1-1, with a GAA of 2.80 and a SV% of .911, clearly an improvement from the numbers he was showing during the recent slump. So with Carey Price back on the right track, I go back to my earlier point, why was it necessary to play Alex Auld against the Rangers?
As someone who’s played the goaltending position, I understand the importance of getting on a roll. A goaltender needs momentum in order to put consecutive solid efforts and sitting Price after two wins and only three starts, in my opinion was not necessary, and counter-productive to what the team is trying to achieve. The long term goal is having a solid team ready for the playoffs.
Price was put back into the net against the Penguins this past Wednesday and although he started the game very strong, the result was a five to two loss. It should also be noted that Alex Auld has had five starts this season, and Carey Price shows a record of 1-4 in games following Auld’s starts.
I’m not saying that Auld should no longer play because Price tends to lose in the game following, but I still see the stat as interesting, and think Martin should carefully consider when he plays Auld, more so then he gives me the impression of doing right now.
Comforting it was to see Price put up a win in the next game (last one played) against the Rangers. Price had a relatively easy first and second period, but had to really step it up in the third. “The Canadiens netminder had to turn it on in the third, making 20 saves with several game savers along the way.” was how Kevin van Steendelaar from Habs Eyes on the Prize described it.
This just in, Jacques Martin is considering starting Alex Auld tomorrow against the Calgary Flames, for the third time in eight games. I guess Carey Price will need to wait, before he can get on a roll again.
Okay Jacques, you need a rest.
(Graphic: Canadiens.com)