Montreal Canadiens to start Tokarski for Game 3
By Cory Buck
The Montreal Canadiens need a rare spark tonight as they face the New York Rangers from a 2-0 hole in the series. While it may be tempting to start the more experienced goaltender Peter Budaj in starter Carey Price’s stead, it appears coach Michel Therrien is trying to catch some fire with a younger goalie. An AHL starter for most of the season, Dustin Tokarski will get another start in Game 3.
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Tokarski started Game 2, in which the Habs lost 3-1 to the Rangers. Tokarski made 30 saves in the losing effort. It’s hard to blame the goalie when your team only scores one goal, but Montreal needs better goaltender play in New York. This team was built to play in front of a stellar goalie like Carey Price. It would be unfair to expect Tokarski to play at that level, but fair is rarely the word tossed around in the NHL playoffs. For a team whose players have struggled beyond the pipes in this series, there’s something more that this game will hinge upon.
The Habs need to steal at least one game in New York to give themselves any kind of a chance. That’s not just simple math; it’s simple truth. If they do lose the series, it will be hard to blame a goalie who’s been strapped with zero expectations. That won’t make the loss any easier though. Coach Therrien is hoping that in embracing the unknown, he’s giving his team the wild card it needs against an inexorable New York Rangers squad.