Ben Scrivens has been given a second chance at his NHL career. Relegated to the AHL by the Edmonton Oilers, a trade to the Montreal Canadiens on Monday puts him in a position to grab NHL games and show that he belongs at hockey’s highest level.
He last played a NHL game on April 11, when he gave up six goals to the Vancouver Canucks.
He was on the bench for the slump-busting shootout win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday and he’s going to get his first start for the Habs on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers, the team announced. The Canadiens wrestled the division lead back from the Cats with their shootout win on Tuesday, making this an important divisional game and the team’s last before the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day against the Boston Bruins.
The day of rest for Mike Condon after Monday’s game isn’t surprising, but may also mean that Condon will be getting the net for the Winter Classic. He’s had some struggles recently, but has largely played well in Carey Price’s absence. It’d be a bit of a slap in the face to give the cage to Scrivens in the Winter Classic just days after acquiring him, when Condon has carried the team quite a ways.
Though, outdoor games have brought a fair share of face-slapping for goaltenders. Just check the cheeks of Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider.
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