There really was only one purpose for the Montreal Canadiens in their pre-season game against the Boston Bruins. They can tell you that they had a bunch of players they needed to evaluate. They could say there are some roster spots up for grabs and the assessing continues. But who are we kidding here?

The only thing that mattered was Carey Price and that could not have gone worse.

Building the confidence he has in himself and the confidence that the fans have in him was the only organizational need heading into night one. That's why he started in the first game as a clear indication that here is the torch for you to hold high.

Only 1:33 in and on the first shot he faced, BOOM, one is by him already. I was pretty sure the fans were going to chant "Halak" derisively when Carey Price faltered, but on the over/under on Price being booed who had less than two minutes?

And it continued. A screened point shot for two. Bergeron with a world class deke for three. Bergeron again with a world-class deke and Price was barely in the net when it was finished. Four goals on eight shots. Boos rained down. "Haallllaakkk"s were heard.

And worse, the ninth shot was a 75 footer that anyone could stop and Bronx cheers followed. Would he invoke Patrick Roy again? Thankfully, no, though I would not blame him if he did.

Frankly, it is all very unfortunate. He has been put in a situation where the hero Halak was traded and I'm not sure that Price can handle it. Truthfully, could anyone handle it? Has anyone ever been asked to handle it? To be the goalie who steps in for the goalie who starred in the playoffs and almost singlehandedly led them to the finals. I can't think of a time when the star goalie was so quickly traded after doing amazing things in the playoffs. You're supposed to build on that performance, not trade it.

I wouldn't want to be Price. He will have to be God-like to make it work this year. I don't see how any goalie could make this scenario work.

It is not fair to Price. I'm not sure why the Habs felt they had to go this direction. I know the reasons out there involving pedigree and salary cap, but I remain steadfast that it didn't have to be this way.

I think the way they handled it, they are asking for trouble. And trouble they will surely get.

Other than that, Benoit Pouliot looked real good, but no one's talking about that right now are they?

For a full report on the game, click here.