Amid the Stanley Cup Playoffs, one of the most intriguing storylines has been the goaltending duel between the top-seeded Flyers and the eighth-seeded Canadiens. Carey Price and Carter Hart have both enjoyed successful postseasons, and their bout has highlighted how similar these two are. I’m due for an appreciative post for the greatest goalie of our generation, and the man following in his footsteps.
Carey Price
The Bergevin era has been eventful, going from the conference finals to the draft lottery in a few seasons, and now back to the playoffs. Throughout that span, the one thing as certain as death and taxes was that Carey Price gave you a chance. There’s a terror he strikes in opposing teams that allows you to think that no matter what, we have a chance.
I always thought that Price was unique, a breed of his own. His lack of spectacular athleticism, and his infrequent rate of highlight-reel saves is odd for a goalie that good. Without going into incredible detail, the best way I can explain it is that he’s always… there. He’s the most efficient goalie with his movement I have ever seen. The minute the opposing team enters the zone, his 6’3″ frame is perfectly positioned to take away any angles.
Fans call him overrated now because his Save Percentage has been down the past couple of seasons, but the players clearly seem to agree that no one does it better than 31.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js.@CP0031 has poise in net, a strong reputation around the league – and the #NHLPAPlayerPoll vote as best goalie for a second season in a row! pic.twitter.com/61qfMkdHK7
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) March 31, 2020
Carter Hart
Player comparisons are fun. However, fans and media alike often go out of their way to draw a connection between two stars. They’ll base it off of things like a common nationality or college. Hart and Price are riddled with boring, anecdotal similarities like that one, but it’s in their demeanor and playstyle where they are virtually interchangeable.
I don’t know either player personally. All us fans can say about a player’s personality is how we interpret their on-ice actions into personality traits. Hart constantly receives praise for his poise in nets. True, it is a crucial trait essential for virtually every NHL goaltender, but few can turn it into a strength as these two West Canadians can.
When a goalie relies more on physical talent than mental toughness to win hockey games, their play-style tends to expire earlier. Goalies reach a point where size, flexibility, and athleticism are not an adequate substitute for calm, cool, and collected. It’s no surprise that Hart emulates Price’s strength so well. He spoke on his idol in an interview with Sportsnet.
“I mean, he was my favorite goalie growing up.”
Carter Hart
With Philadelphia leading three to two in the best-of-seven, both goalies have a great opportunity to show who’s boss. Regardless of the outcome, fans need to acknowledge that Carter Hart is the real deal, and he’s here to stay.
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