FINALLY, I get to doing this comparison. Well, semi-comparison. Basically I think the big difference when they were a tandem was the mentality. I think that Price caved to the pressure of having a guy battle him for starting duties while Halak strived under it. Let's take a journey down memory lane, when Halak was bouncing between the NHL and AHL, while Price was just finishing up an excellent junior career
During the 2006-07 season, Price was just finishing up his junior career with the Tri-City Americans while Halak spent the season bouncing between Montreal and Hamilton. Near the end of the AHL season, Price was sent to Hamilton, and played a few games before the playoffs. In the NHL, Guy Charbonneau stupidly put in Huet against the Leafs, leaving Halak to watch the Leafs come back to win 6-5*. Instead of Halak getting sent down to help back up Price, he was allowed to join Slovakia in the World Championship. Halak was ok, getting a win (shutout no less) and a loss in two games. Price backstopped the Bulldogs to a Calder Cup, winning the Jack A Butterfield Trophy (Playoff MVP) in the process.
Since Halak wasn't a factor in 2007-08, we'll skip ahead. Over the next two seasons, Halak posted numbers that were either in line with or better than Price's. Here is the combined stats for the two seasons (stats from hockey-reference)
Halak: 79 Games - 44 Wins - 27 Losses - 6 "Ties" - 2.63 GAA - 0.920 Sv%
Price: 93 Games - 36 Wins - 36 Losses - 15 "Ties" - 2.80 GAA - 0.909 Sv%
In fairness to Price, this also includes Halak's out-of-this-world 2010. Never-the-less, the stats show that Price has struggled in a tandem role. Since Halak was gone, Price hasn't had a backup meant to push him for the starting role. This probably allowed him to relax more, not having to constantly look over his shoulder, and become the all-star goalie he is now. Jaroslav Halak has maintained some pretty good numbers in St. Louis, it is surprising thought that Brian Elliot is pressuring him this season.
I have come to terms on the fact that Price is the future of the Habs (and now the only player worth a damn on that team...it seems), but I'll always have a soft spot for Halak.
*I was at this game, and I still stand by the fact that had Carbo decided to ride the hot-hand (Halak) instead of the guy just getting over an injury (Huet), the Habs would be in the playoffs that year.
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