Jaroslav Halak had another save-choked year for the Montreal Canadiens. Playing under intense media and fan scrutiny in Montreal he excelled. Playing on a team that gave up one of the highest shot counts against per game in the league (32.1 SA/G —fifth worst in NHL) he made saves and won games for a team that often didn't deserve to win.
He followed up a great regular season with an unbelievable playoff. Despite not making it to the final Halak made the second most saves in the playoffs with 519 behind only Antti Niemi's 587. What were the next highest save totals in the playoffs you ask? Rask: 373; Nabokov: 369; Howard: 354; Leighton: 340.
Halak was largely responsible for victories in seven game series over the leading offensive team last year, the Washington Capitals, and the defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Halak's save percentage of .923 in the playoffs was first among goalies who played at least 12 playoff games. Only Ryan Miller and Craig Anderson who we ...
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Article written by Scott Weldon