Growing up in Toronto a die-hard Habs fan, much of the way I see the hockey world is through the lens of a Leafs Habs rivalry binocular. When the Toronto Maple Leafs picked Justin Pogge 90th overall at the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, it went without much fanfare at all. Then came the World Junior Hockey Championships in Vancouver where he tore onto the scene and literally stole a gold medal for Team Canada. With that, a legend was born for Leafers everywhere.
Ever since Carey Price was selected fifth overall by Les Glorieux in the otherwise-known-as Sidney Crosby sweepstakes, he has been thrust into the limelight whether or not he enjoys it. At the time, Habs fans wanted the player who sounds like a Quebec-born player in Gilbert Brule who would be scooped up by the Columbus Blue Jackets. We all know how that worked out.
So the queit kid from British Columbia went to work to prove Habs fans wrong, and he did so by capturing the nations' hearts, along with a gold medal at the World Juniors - much like the aforementioned Pogge. From there, it was onto the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League where he'd literally burst onto the scene and steal the Bulldogs their first ever Calder Cup crown.
Last year while Pogge toiled away as the Toronto Marlies 1A goaltender (he shared the starters' job with Scott Clemmensen), Price had an eventful season to say the least.
After training camp, then-coach Guy Carbonneau said he didn't feel Carey was ready for the challenge of being with the big club every day and wanted him to develop in the AHL. Bob Gainey stepped in and for a lack of better term, turned over his coach's decision.
Price started off the year backing up Cristobal Huet and when Huet went down to injury, Price found himself having to start a long stretch of games for the Habs. While he performed admirably at first, it eventually took a toll on him. Just after Christmas, he was sent down to Hamilton to re-gain his game.
He came back a few weeks later, and next thing he knew - Gainey had dealt Huet to Washington for a second round pick. Carey Price would now all of a sudden be the Habs number one goaltender... only one problem, the playoffs were coming up.
Price went on a tear and led the Habs to a first place finish in the Eastern Conference which pitted them against the hated division-rival Boston Bruins. After the Habs raced out to a commanding 3-1 series advantage, the Bruins nearly gave Habs fans everywhere a heart attack by storming back to force a pivotal game seven in Montreal.
There came one of Carey Price's best ever performances in the NHL. He withstood a first period barrage by the Bruins and eventually saw his Habs walk away with a 5-0 win which would wind up causing the city to nearly be blown to smitherines.
This year, we all know the troubles the Leafs have been going through and while we love it, it's been interesting to get a sneak-peek at the pride and joy of the Leafs future in the crease. He's been shakey, to say the least, but so has Price. Pogge has started just seven games this year for the Leafs, and he's already been yanked in two of those starts.
He sports abysmal numbers, with the likes of a save percentage under .850, a goals against average hovering just under five, and a 1-4 record. Price raced out of the gate with stellar numbers, but after a second half slide he now boasts slightly under-average numbers for an NHL starter. As of writing, he has posted a .904 save percentage, with a goals against average about half of Pogge's, and a record of 22-14.
The battle has years to come, but will surely serve as bar-room fodder for argument for fans of both fanbases alike. Time will tell, but for the time being, it's a landslide of a victory for the man in bleu, blanc et rouge.
