April 3rd

HAB'S PRICE NAMED NHL ROOKIE OF THE MONTH

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price, who backstopped the team to its first division title since 1992, posting a 7-3-0 record, 2.67 goals-against average, .924 save percentage and one shutout, has been named the NHL Rookie of the Month for March.

Price edged Edmonton Oilers center Sam Gagner (6-9--15 in 15 games), Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (5-9--14 in 14 games), Chicago Blackhawks right wing Patrick Kane (4-10--14 in 15 games) and Los Angeles Kings goaltender Eric Ersberg (5-4-2, 2.31 goals-against average, .932 save percentage, two shutouts) for the award.

Price allowed two or fewer goals in five of his 10 starts including a 4-0 shutout win over the New Jersey Devils on Mar. 11. In 39 appearances this season Price has posted a record of 22-12-3, a 2.64 goals-against average, .918 save percentage and three shutouts.

Montreal's first choice and the fifth overall selection at the 2005 Entry Draft, Price led the American Hockey League Hamilton Bulldogs to the Calder Cup Championship in 2007 capturing the MVP Award for the playoffs. The 6-3, 212-lb. Vancouver, British Columbia native backstopped Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2006, winning a gold medal.

Price joins previous 2007-08 Rookie of the Month winners Kane (October), Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Tobias Enstrom (November), Backstrom (December), Phoenix Coyotes center Peter Mueller (January) and Gagner (February).


SUNDIN TO MISS LAST 2 GAMES

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin, forced to sit out with a groin tear, will not play in the team's remaining two games this season.

Sundin, 37, has stated that he hasn't made any decision on his future but has repeatedly said that he intends to retire as a member of the Maple Leafs.

Toronto interim GM Cliff Fletcher has echoed those sentiments, saying that he hopes to bring Sundin back for another season.

He has been with the Maple Leafs since 1994, and had one of his better seasons with the team — scoring 32 goals and adding 78 points in 74 games.

Toronto has failed to qualify for the post-season for a third consecutive year.


PEDRO OUT 4-6 WEEKS

Pedro Martinez will be sidelined 4-to-6 weeks with what the New York Mets said was a mild strain of his left hamstring.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner was placed on the 15-day disabled list before the Mets' game against the Florida Marlins on Wednesday night.

Martinez was injured Tuesday night, returned to New York and was examined by Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery.

He allowed four runs in 3 1-3 innings during a 5-4, 10-inning defeat, limping off the mound after injuring himself during a pitch.

The Mets filled Martinez's roster spot by purchasing the contract of pitcher Nelson Figueroa from Triple-A New Orleans.