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Habs Netminder Standing on Cusp of Greatness
A goaltender who would rather eat rubber than chat with the media, Carey Price would be the first person to tell you that personal milestones mean nothing and that the faster he can get them out of the way, the easier his start to the 2011-12 season will be.
Though it's hard to argue that these kinds of menial stats and milestones aren't often blown well out of proportion, it will nonetheless be considered an impressive feat.
And while there are plenty of players set to reach milestone markers of their own, many more impressive than Carey's own stepping stone of 100 wins, the significance of Price sitting 2 wins shy of 100 as he enters his fifth season as the Montreal Canadiens' number one goaltender is one that should be lost on fans.
To put Price's 98 wins into perspective, here's a list of Montreal Canadiens netminders who have broken 100 wins with the franchise:
1 Jacques Plante 312
2 Patrick Roy 289
3 Ken Dryden 258
4 Bill Durnan 208
5 George Hainsworth 167
6 Michel Larocque 144
7 José Théodore 124
8 Gerry McNeil 119
9 Charlie Hodge 117
10 Rogatien Vachon 110
11 Georges Vézina 103
12 Carey Price *98
As you can see, Price, who has seemingly always been on the verge of reaching or breaking some record or another, will once again be dipping his toes into an elite pool of talent.
With only 11 goaltenders having cracked the centennial win plateau with the franchise, a franchise that has been around for over 100 years, it's safe to say that it would be an honor regardless of who the goalie was.
But, in this case, it's Price. The 24 year old who shrugged off critics and dominated the NHL for extended if not prolonged periods of time last season and who is not, by any means, finished with his rise to stardom, only beginning.
Considering the progression of Carey's play from win 0 through to win 98, and it's not hard to see that win 100 is going to be but a bump in the road for this thoroughbred.
With 38 wins in 72 games played last season, and a brush with Hart Trophy candidacy, Price will have all the more reason to improve on his gaudy stats(.923 Sv% and 2.35 gaa) from last year as his club boasts an improved lineup and a fierce case of vengeance, having been downed by arch-rivals and eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Boston Bruins.
That said, the Canadiens, like many of the competitive clubs in the Eastern Conference, are preparing themselves for a dog fight as there will be no room for failure during the upcoming season. Whereas the competition remained relatively close for the most part during seasons past, with the strength of so many of clubs on the rise, it's not hard to fathom that one extended stretch of bad play this year may very likely cost a club their opportunity at a post-season berth.
Though it will be a precarious run to the playoffs for most teams, the Montreal Canadiens are one of the few that can boast an ace up their sleeve the caliber of Carey Price.
So while the fear of injuries and poor performances shroud the perception of how good the Canadiens can truly be this season, Price offers a clear view of the potential upside 2011-12 may bring in Montreal.
Motivated to continually improve, Carey Price won't be seeking his 100th win this season, nor will he be concerned with hitting 40 by seasons end. He won't even bat an eye at how far up the Habs All time Win totem pole he can climb.
Instead, much as he did during pre-season 2010-11, he will caution everyone to chill out, and to simply let him go about his business.
Sage advice, from a man who backs up his few words with so many saves.
www.twitter.com/StevenHindle
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Montreal Canadiens Blogger • 
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