The Pittsburgh Penguins Should Not Fear Carey Price

Under the proposed NHL playoff format the fifth-place Pittsburgh Penguins would battle the twelfth-place Montreal Canadiens, but would the Penguins be able to grind out a win?

Once the NHL announced their initial plans for a return to hockey, Pittsburgh Penguins social media blew up with the assertion that the Penguins would not be able to get past Carey Price and the Montreal Canadiens.

But what does history tell us about Price vs. the Penguins?

Let’s take a look.

Condensed Career Stats

Price has appeared in 33 games (making 31 starts) vs. the Penguins since 2007 and started off with wins in his first four starts from 2007-09, making 101 saves and earning a goals-against-average (GAA) of 2.19.

Price now has an all-time record of 13-14-5 with a GAA 2.95 vs. the Penguins.

Not exactly nightmare material.

Biggest Losses

The most goals Price ever allowed in a game vs. the Penguins was on Mar. 3, 2013, in a 7-6 overtime loss.

Price made 29 saves on 36 shots and allowed Brandon Sutter to score the game-winner less than a minute in the extra frame. Kris Letang had four points, with Chris Kunitz and Sidney Crosby each scoring three points.

Overall Price has allowed:

• Five goals – Four times (all losses)
• Four goals – Five times (all losses)
• Three goals – Eight times (seven losses)
• Two goals – Nine times (one loss)
• One goal – Five times (one loss)

The moral of the story is if you want to get the win against Price, score a lot of goals.

Biggest Win

Price has earned one shutout against the Penguins and that occurred on Mar. 12, 2011,  in a 3-0 Canadiens win.

Price made 26 saves, with four shots each coming from Letang, James Neal, and Mark Letestu.

Playoff Precedent

The Penguins and Canadiens have met twice in the playoffs 1998 (six games) and 2010 (seven games), with Montreal earning wins in both of the series.

Price saw fourteen minutes of action in Game 1 of the 2010 series, made three saves and allowed zero goals in the relief appearance for Jaroslav Halak, who let six goals in.

So, while we wait to see just exactly how the plans will unfold for the NHL and the players, one thing is for sure, Price is mortal, Price is beatable and the Penguins will have a solid chance of taking the series, and if you don’t believe us check out this Crosby goal.