Game 18: Montreal 3 NY Islanders 4 (Naussau Coliseum)

Written by Rick Stephens, AllHabs.net

MONTREAL, QC. — Coming into this game the New York Islanders were in a steep slide, on a four-game losing streak, losers of 10 of the previous 11 games. So perhaps one can understand Jacques Martin’s decision to start his backup goaltender, Peter Budaj.

Since the nightmare called the pre-season, Budaj had pulled things together for a 1-1-0 record. It wasn’t pretty, a weak goal or two, some scrambly play, but his battling style gave the Canadiens a chance to win. It was clear that that Budaj was benefiting from the tutelage of Pierre Groulx, his first full-time goalie coach in three seasons.

So starting Budaj against the Isles made sense, yes? No.

Carey Price threw a monkey-wrench into Martin’s plans by pitching a shut out against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday night. Conventional hockey wisdom is that you don’t sit a goaltender following a shutout.

But why?

There’s the obvious: a coach shouldn’t be throwing a bucket of icy water on a hot goalie. But the decision is also unfair to the substitute. The move ignites controversy and heaps extra pressure on the player who has to fill in. Every save and goal against is magnified.

Despite strapping on the pads for St. Lawrence University, Martin doesn’t seem to have a grasp on the mindset of a goaltender. But his crease experience was 40 years ago, and it probably isn’t a pleasant memory. A goals against average north of four, and an equally unflattering save percentage meant an end to his ECAC goaltending career after only 28 games.

So following the Canadiens — Islanders game, the focus was on Budaj. He didn’t play well but didn’t deserve to receive all the blame. His defense were suspect too, with the pairs of Subban – Gorges and Emelin – Diaz each being on the ice for two goals against.

Although the first period was scoreless, the signs were already there that it wasn’t going to be a stellar night for Budaj. His play was sloppy and he was struggling with rebound control. Just 41 seconds into the second period a puck-handling gaffe by Budaj gave P.A. Parenteau a gift for the opening goal of the game.

The goal and how it happened was a blow to confidence of the 29-year-old backup, something that he has struggled with in his career.

Budaj is a hybrid-style goaltender. He relies on his athleticism and mobility to cover the net. He lacks the talent and skill of Price but scrambles well to make saves.

Some have complained about his lack of focus, but in my opinion, Budaj has a single-minded focus, tunnel-vision if you will. Being intensely focussed on making a save, or like tonight, in retrieving a loose puck, causes him to lose awareness of what is happening around him.

When his confidence starts to wane, you will notice that Budaj drops his hands and he plays deeper in the net. Of course this only opens up more of the net and makes him more susceptible.

“It’s a tough thing. It’s tough to lose like that. I have to be better with my puck-handling, and today wasn’t a good day for that. A couple mistakes, a couple breakdowns cost us two points.” — Peter Budaj

But the loss isn’t Budaj’s to bear alone. The Canadiens did nothing in the first period to test New York goalie Rick DiPietro. The Islanders $67.5 million man has been shaky of late but was forced into action when starter Evgeni Nabokov suffered a groin injury after making a save on a rocket by Yannick Weber.

DiPietro was between the pipes with only 7:55 gone in the first period and looked sluggish for the rest of the frame. Still the Canadiens couldn’t capitalize, launching just eight shots, mostly from the perimeter, and beyond (see below).

With his enormous contract and injury history, it’s impossible to ignore that most often DiPietro’s name is mentioned as a punch line. But behind that, there is a talented NHL goalie.

DiPietro is a butterfly goaltender who challenges shooters and relies on quick reflexes and a good glove hand to be effective — he is also one of the better puck-handling goalies in the league. Some of those skills were on display tonight. Having lost his stick, DiPietro flashed the glove with about 7:30 remaining in the third period to rob P.K. Subban of a goal with the Canadiens on the power-play.

“He was good. He seemed like he had some confidence going. He was challenging and playing an aggressive style.” — Mike Cammalleri on Rick DiPietro

Cammalleri had an assist on Brian Gionta’s late goal in the third period but missed several chances for one of his own. Max Pacioretty and Erik Cole had the other goals for the Habs, with Tomas Plekanec tallying two assists. The Canadiens were one-for-three with the man advantage.

Montreal’s offense still doesn’t seem to be on track.

Inexplicably Scott Gomez was deployed as the extra attacker with the Canadiens looking for the equalizer. Lars Eller one of the few Habs who could be seen driving to the net was riding the bench for most of the third period. Plekanec could be so much more effective on the power-play half-wall.

But in this game, for good or for bad, the focus of the conversation was about goaltending.

Should Price have started? Was the loss Budaj’s fault? How long will Nabokov be sidelined? Why couldn’t the Canadiens do a better job of solving DiPietro?
Those are all questions you are welcome to take a shot at in the comments section.

The Canadiens will get together in Brossard at 11:00 a.m. for a team meeting as they get ready for a date with the New York Rangers on Saturday night at the Bell Centre.

All Habs game stars
1. Tomas Plekanec
2. Max Pacioretty
3. Erik Cole

Rick DiPietro not tested – Montreal Canadiens first period shots on goal