Dec 28 Jaroslav Halak NHL's 1st Star and Must Remain a Hab

Anyone following the Montreal Canadiens this past week, or NHL hockey for that matter will not be surprised by the announcement today that goaltender Jaroslav Halak was named the league’s first star of the week.

Halak posted a 3-0-0 record with a 1.97 goals-against average and .959 save percentage, stopping at least 46 shots in each contest, as the Canadiens (19-18-3) jumped to seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. The young goaltender has definitely put his money where his mouth was when he stated earlier last week that he wanted to play, whether here in Montreal or elsewhere, sparking rampant trade rumours across the city.

Halak recorded 47 saves in a 4-3 overtime win over the Atlanta Thrashers Dec. 21, stopped 46 shots in a 5-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes Dec. 23 and finished the week with 47 saves in a 3-2 overtime win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Dec 26. He is 10-5-0 with a 2.53 goals-against average, .923 save percentage and one shutout in 16 appearances this season.

While it was speculated the Canadies may have been “showcasing” Halak for a possible trade, it would appear that Halak’s performance of late has surely presented Bob Gainey the dilemma of whether he should in fact trade away one piece of the NHL’s better 1-2 punches when it comes to goaltending.

Halak supporters have also suggested trading Price in lieu of Halak, however I feel the two future restricted free agents should be kept for the season as the most important element in winning playoff games is between the pipes. The Montreal Canadiens are more than fine in that department.

With Plekanec-Cammalleri-A. Kostitsyn firmly intact and the proposed 2^nd line of Gionat-Gomez-Pouliot expected to provide a decent return, as well as the eventual return of Roman Hamrlik to the D which has already been reinforced by the return of Andre Markov, the future looks brighter than it did a few weeks ago.

While Halak gets the start tonight against the Ottawa Senators, (his 5^th straight) Hamrlik will not suit up, however it appears Brian Gionta will. The Canadiens could in fact, play with their entire roster by weeks end. Something they have not done since October 1^st.

Another question of note tonight: Who will socre the Canadiens’ 20,000^th goal? The next one potted by a Hab will make its way into the Canadiens’ record books.

Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane and Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo were named the NHL’s other stars for the week ending Dec. 27.

Tags: bob gainey \ first star \ habs \ Jaroslav Halak \ Montreal Canadiens \ NHL \ Ottawa Senators \ trade