AP It didn’t take Jaroslav Halak long to bounce back from his rough start against the New Jersey Devils on Thursday. After allowing three goals before being pulled midway through that contest, Halak was back between the pipes on Sunday, this time against the formidable San Jose Sharks. Fortunately for the Blues, Halak stopped all 25 Sharks shots to earn his fifth shutout in his last 10 starts. Yes, from Jan. 10 onward, he’s averaged a shutout every other game. Halak’s run also means that, out of all eligible NHL goaltenders, the Blues netminders rank first and fourth in terms of GAA.
In fact, despite Brian Elliott’s All-Star caliber season, it seems like Halak has cemented himself as the Blues’ starting goaltender. He’s certainly the more likely of the two to start in St. Louis’ playoff opener, which could prove to be a critical subplot. Most remember that Halak led the Montreal Canadiens all the way to the Eastern Conference finals in 2010, so the question is if he can take the arguably superior St. Louis Blues even further. Or will he grow cold when his team needs him the most and possibly open the door for Elliott to make what would be just his fifth NHL postseason start? Of course, the St. Louis Blues haven’t even clinched the playoffs yet, but it would take a collapse of epic proportions for them to slip below the eighth seed at this point.
-
Brown on Prudential Center ice: “It was like playing with a tennis ball, quite honestly”
May 31, 2012, 12:43 AM EDT
Getty Images
“It was like playing with a tennis ball, quite honestly.”
-
Getty Images
It might be tough to keep his team from getting a little cocky.
-
Getty Images
A sign of things to come?
-
Getty Images
There’s a little bit more to this game-winning goal, though.
-
Devils coach: “I don’t believe we deserved to win that game”
May 31, 2012, 12:15 AM EDT
Getty Images
Some New Jersey players called it the team’s worst performance of 2012 playoffs.
-
Kopitar on beating Brodeur for game-winner: “World class goaltender, but I think I got the best of it tonight”
May 31, 2012, 12:13 AM EDT
He became the first King to score a Stanley Cup finals OT goal in the process.
-
Getty Images
The vast majority of Game 1 winners have gone on to hoist the Stanley Cup.
-
What they’re saying about Game 1 of the 2012 Stanley Cup finals
May 30, 2012, 11:49 PM EDT
Getty Images
Even Tommy Lasorda shared his thoughts.
-
Video: Parise gloves in go-ahead goal, officials wave it off
May 30, 2012, 11:49 PM EDT
The Devils had a key third-period lead…and then they didn’t.
-
Discuss: Kings road dominance continues, beat Devils 2-1 in OT
May 30, 2012, 11:24 PM EDT
Anze Kopitar wins it midway through the first extra session.
-
Getty Images
Win or lose, we’ll probably see him playing with New Jersey in 2012-13.
-
Getty Images
NHL commish supports Isles owner Charles Wang’s efforts.
-
Blue Jackets on No. 2 pick: “We’re doing everything in our power to get it right”
May 30, 2012, 9:45 PM EDT
Getty Images
They might just be drafting the new face of their franchise,after all.
-
Getty Images
Check out the five minute interview with the NHL commissioner.
-
PHT Live Chat — Stanley Cup finals Game 1: Los Angeles at New Jersey
May 30, 2012, 9:13 PM EDT
Getty Images
Chat with PHT’s Mike Halford and Jason Brough throughout the game.
-
Getty Images
A fun video feature from NBC’s experts.
-
AP
“It’s the right way to play.”
-
Getty Images
The goal is for Hossa to be back by training camp.
-
Getty Images
Despite reports to the contrary, the deadline is not July 1 to refinance or settle their debt.
-
AP
Bettman: “I don’t understand all the speculation and the degree of negativity.”
NHL Playoffs Channel Finder
