#31 Carey Price

Last year Martin Brodeur and Mikka Kippursoff led the league in games played by a starting goalie. Brodeur appeared in seventy-seven games while Kippursoff was behind him appearing in seventy-three games. After twenty-five games Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price has appeared in twenty- three of them, most by a starting goalie. In today’s NHL, starting goalie are asked to play the majority if not all the games. No goalie can, so the role of the backup goalie is heightened.
A typical backup goaltender gets in around fifteen to twenty games depending on the goalie, to ensure that the starter stays fresh and healthy. The problem is when playoffs role around and goaltending is the most important, the goalies who play more get tired and cannot endure long playoff runs.
Martin Brodeur has played seventy-game plus in twelve of his seventeen seasons and signs of fatigue have shown. When he was in his prime Brodeur was able to play long seasons and go into the playoffs last at his best. The last 5 seasons that he played over seventy games the Devils have not made it pass the first round and Brodeur at times, looked bad.
The way this season goes, baring no injuries Carey Price will appear in seventy -seven of eighty-two games. Until the Canadiens replace current backup Alex Auld for a backup goalie they can trust, Price will take on a lot more. It is not just Price playing a lot of games. Most of the starting goalies in the league play sixty to sixty-five games.
Coaches play their best lineup in order to win, and without a doubt Price is the goaltender in that lineup. Price leads the league in: wins, goals against, shutouts and save percentage. Starting Goalies need to play a lesser amount of games in order to stay healthier, fresher and in the end, play when it matters the most.