BROSSARD, Que. — Montreal Canadiens goaltender Mike Condon is once again venturing into the unknown. It’s becoming familiar territory for the backup-turned-starter.
Condon had never appeared in an NHL game before recording a 3-1 win over the Ottawa Senators back on Oct. 11. He was in the net Oct. 23 for Montreal’s 7-2 shellacking of the Buffalo Sabres, and he collected a third win in as many attempts when the Canadiens beat the Calgary Flames 6-2 seven days later.
That’s a helluva start to an NHL career as a backup goaltender.
But it was on Sunday, Nov. 2 that Condon discovered he’d be taking over for reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy-winner Carey Price for an indefinite period of time.
In the eight games that Price missed with a lower-body injury between Oct. 30 and Nov. 19, Condon went 4-2-2, improving his overall record to 7-2-2.
Sufficed to say, he passed the biggest test of his life. Little did Condon know, the next big challenge would be right around the corner.
Price returned to action Nov. 20 and beat the New York Islanders in Brooklyn, then beat them again at the Bell Centre two nights later, and then made 22 saves against the New York Rangers last Wednesday before aggravating his injury in the second period of the game.
Condon dove into unchartered waters again, relieving Price in-game for the first time all season, stopping all 11 shots in the third period of Montreal’s 5-2 win over the Rangers.
He made 53 saves on 58 shots and went 1-0-1 against the New Jersey Devils in back-to-back starts over the weekend before coming to practice Monday to process the news that Price will be on the shelf for a minimum of six weeks.
What’s changed for Condon since the last time he assumed Montreal’s starting position?
“I would say I’m a lot more comfortable,” the 25-year old Massachusetts native said after Monday’s practice. “I’ve made 14 appearances so far, so every time you go out there it gets a little bit more familiar, a little bit easier.”
But there’s nothing familiar or easy about what lies ahead for Condon.
The 19 games the Canadiens are scheduled to play between Dec. 1 and Jan. 14 feature 13 opponents Condon has never faced.
The list is harrowing.
Condon has never played against Joe Thornton and the San Jose Sharks; never faced a slapshot from the Nashville Predators‘ Shea Weber; never stared down the offensive depth of the Dallas Stars; and he’s never had the pressure of measuring up against the reigning Stanley Cup Champions Chicago Blackhawks.
He can’t do this all on his own, nor will he be forced to.
“We’re going to need a little bit more from everybody now,” said defenceman P.K. Subban. “This opportunity’s not just for him; it’s for all of us; for all of us to get a little bit better here. We can’t be looking at any of the goaltenders—whether it’s [Price, Condon or Dustin Tokarski]—thinking that we’re going to rely on them to steal games for us.”
The Canadiens have already shown what they can do without Price. They’ve scored 53 goals over the course of Condon’s 14 appearances.
General manager Marc Bergevin has faith not only in Condon, but in his team and in its depth at the position. When the question was put to him Monday about whether or not he needs to make a move right now, he had this to say:
“Is there a need? No, I don’t feel there’s a need.
“We have Mike [Condon], [Tokarski], I was at the [Toronto] Marlies game against St. John’s [Sunday night] and [goaltender] Zach [Fucale] played very well. I know he’s a young goalie, but that’s why you have many goalies in your system. When you face injuries you’re able to sustain.”
Bergevin’s faith will be tested. Montreal has four back-to-back situations to deal with over the course of their 19-game stretch without Price, and it’s unreasonable to think Condon will start every game.
But if Bergevin and the Canadiens’ faith in Tokarski hadn’t already been rattled, Condon wouldn’t have replaced the Saskatchewan native as Price’s backup out of this year’s training camp.
Tokarski has since gone 2-2-2 with St. John’s this season, struggling with a .891 save percentage and a 3.45 goals against average. He also relieved Condon for the third period of Montreal’s 6-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche November 14, allowing two goals on 11 shots.
As for Fucale, a second-round selection of the Canadiens in 2013, he’s gone 7-2-2 in his professional debut with St. John’s. His numbers aren’t exactly flattering (.907 save percentage, 3.12 goals against).
The load is clearly on Condon’s shoulders.
“He’s focused,” said Bergevin. “He’s very professional in his approach to the game, and you look at Carey’s approach—they’re pretty similar that way.”
Now it’s time to see if Condon can achieve similar results to Price over the long-term.