Carbonneau said since he didn't have a chance to talk to Carey Price or Jaroslav Halak yesterday, he wouldn't make his decision public. Carbonneau told his players to stay away from the rink and even played a round of golf himself. (He had a couple birdies, but no holes in one.)

Carbonneau denied reports that Price is injured. Price, who has been the Habs' starter since February, has looked shaky the last week-and-a-half.

"Carey Price is not hurt," Carbonneau said. "His finger, his hand, his shoulder, his knees; he's got no injuries. His confidence is a little hit, but he's not injured."

Price entered the playoffs on a seven-game winning streak and led all rookies during the regular season with 24 wins and a .920 save percentage. He started the Habs' first 10 playoff games, but was pulled after the second period in Game 3 en route to his fourth loss in six games.

Carbonneau surprised the Flyers by going with Halak in Game 4 on Wednesday night. While the move left Philadelphia scrambling for a scouting report on Halak, it did not change the Canadiens' fortunes. Montreal, the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed, lost for the third consecutive game and trail in the series, 3-1.

Halak, making his first career playoff start, stopped 22 of 25 shots, including an early breakaway by Jeff Carter.

Slow starts have been the Canadiens' problem as much as goal-

tending. Montreal has trailed at least 2-0 in all four games, but the Habs have scored seven of their 10 goals after the second period. The Habs' success late in games, Carbonneau said, is a combination of more luck for his team and less aggressiveness by the Flyers. It's also one reason he still likes his team's chances to recover from the 3-1 deficit. The demanding remaining schedule is another.

Game 5 is tomorrow night in Montreal. Game 6 would be Sunday in Philadelphia and Game 7 on Tuesday back in Montreal, if necessary.

"With our speed and the fact that we've been tenacious in their zone, they're just getting tired," Carbonneau said. "That's why I think playing three games in 4 nights will help us." *