Jaroslav Halak is the reason the No. 8-seeded Montreal Canadiens are in the Eastern Conference Finals. He averaged 44 saves in Montreal’s wins over the Capitals and stopped 35.5 shots per game in the four victories over the defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins.
But the Habs goalie has been susceptible to a stinker, as he proved Sunday when he was pulled after allowing four goals on 14 shots in a Game 1 loss to the Flyers. It was the third time Halak was chased out of a game this postseason. And don’t forget he was also benched for 22-year-old Carey Price in Game 4 against Washington.
However, Halak has rebounded to have some of his best games after being pulled. He had 37 saves in a 2-1 win over the Caps in Game 5 and 38 saves in a 3-1 victory after being yanked in the opening game of the series against Pittsburgh.
Can the Habs goalie rebound again? The Canadiens’ Stanley Cup hopes depend on it.
