By Stevo, AllHabs.net

MONTREAL, QC.– If you want to know just how quickly the tide can turn in the National Hockey League, just ask Carey Price and Tuukka Rask. Boston Bruins’ net minder Rask had everything going for him last season as he dislodged Tim Thomas from the number one position and lead the league in goals against average and save percentage in his rookie season. Montreal Canadiens’ Carey Price had trouble buying a win last season, and although played well, looked to have a black cloud hanging over him all season long. In this still early portion of the season, their roles have switched.

Back in September, I drew a comparison between Carey Price and Tuukka Rask, which I invite you to read. These are two goaltenders who I really enjoy watching play and who I believe in both cases will have successful careers in the NHL.

One of the points I emphasized in the earlier article was that Rask had played two AHL seasons in Providence prior to playing with the Boston Bruins, while Carey Price played one playoff before heading to Montreal with the bleu blanc rouge.

Let’s quickly compare their stats from last season vs. this season:

2009 – 2010:

2010 – 2011:

*****

Tuukka Rask:

If Tuukka Rask wants to know what’s going on, he can simply pick up the phone and call up Carey Price because whatever it is, it seems to be what Carey Price was suffering from last season. Rask is playing well, very well actually and his save percentage proves it, as it is identical to Carey Price’s. The poor guy however can’t buy a win.

I watched him play against Montreal this past Thursday and I continue to be impressed with the way he plays. He’s a very aggressive goalie in some instances coming way out of his crease to break up plays. He’s always making saves on top of his crease, and he’s great at making himself look very big in the net.

If I had to find a negative on him, I would say that he seems to really be annoyed with those shots that whistle past his helmet, possibly something to keep an eye on for the future.

The wins will come for Rask; it’s only a matter of time, just like Gomez putting one into the net. One factor nobody predicted was the strong return of Tim Thomas who in nine starts has eight wins, is second in the league with a GAA of 1.39, and leads the league in SV% (0.959) and shutouts (3). But will it last…

*****

Carey Price:

What a return for Carey Price this season who has clearly established himself as the Montreal Canadiens number one goaltender.

Not a single net minder has played more ice time then Carey Price this season (902:36), Price is second in the league with nine wins, finds himself in the top ten when it comes to GAA with his 2.19 average, and his very respectable SV% of 0.923 puts him at twelfth in the league. He also has two shutouts (tied for 2nd in the league) and has an assist on the season.

Although the oddball fan still manifest’s their disaccord over the fact the Canadiens kept Carey Price over Jaroslav Halak, generally and in the Montreal media especially, all doubts seem to have evaporated with regards to whether Carey Price can be the guy in Montreal. Right now he is, and he’s doing it brilliantly.

So just what is Carey Price doing differently this season? A lot has to do with confidence. He knows the Habs as an organization have stood by him from the start. Although I feel that could have much better surrounded and guided him so far in his career, there’s never truly been any doubt that he was there guy, and that he was never going to be going anywhere.

Then in the offseason, the trading away of Halak combined with the signing of Auld was another show of confidence towards him.

And then, there’s Jacques Martin. I have my issues with the Montreal Canadiens head coach but where I definitely give him an A+ this season is how he’s handled the goaltending situation. As my friend Rick said, Pierre Gauthier has made the Montreal Canadiens goaltending situation, one where Jacques Martin can not fail, and although I do agree, I’ll still give Martin the A+, for starting Price in 15 of 16 games so far this season.

The confidence can be seen in how he’s playing. He’s fighting out there to see the puck; he’s back to being aggressive and shoving opposing players out of his way in front of the net. He challenges shooters and just like I mentioned with Rask, he’s making saves on top of his crease (rather then back in his net), which is a true sign of a confident goalie. His rebound control has been impressive so far this season, and when he does give up a rebound, he’s always in a position to give himself a chance at making the next stop, which he is often doing. He’s making difficult stops look very easy right now and that’s also good for the confidence of his defense.

*****

I will continue to look closely at how both goaltenders perform this season, and don’t be surprised to see another update of this kind in the future.

The Habs face another very good goaltender tonight as they face-off against Cam Ward and the Carolina Hurricanes.  Cam Ward historically has always played very well at the Bell Center, so look for the Canes to give the Habs all they can handle in this one.

(Graphic:  Matt Stone)