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It had been over 280 days since the Habs faithful had seen franchise goalie Carey Price in the Canadiens’ crease and in his return to action last night the netminder got a hero’s welcome. It hasn’t been an easy year for Price, he had to rehab his knee after an operation and had to enter the NHL’s player assistance program on October 7, but last night, everything was back to normal, and it felt right. From the welcome he got to the symbolic 2nd star he was awarded and the fact that his attack failed to give him some goals to work with, it really was business as usual.
Le numéro 31...
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 15, 2022
Number 31...
CAREY PRICE! 🙌#GoHabsGo pic.twitter.com/GCiflLBy9U
At least, Price wasn’t overly solicitated, he only faced 19 shots which is a miracle in itself with this Montreal’s team tendency of late. He allowed 2 goals (the 3rd was an empty netter), one on a 3 on 0 and the other one on a perfect shot through traffic. While 2 goals on 19 shots doesn’t give him a stellar save percentage, he couldn’t do much on either and that was a very reassuring performance. According to coach Martin St-Louis, there is no plan as to Price’s usage until the end of the season, the only certainty is that he’ll be the back-up tonight. After severely overworking Jake Allen when he came back from injury, I have a feeling the Canadiens will thread more carefully with their All-Star goalie. With just 7 games to go, I think we’ll see him share the workload with Montembeault, that will be an ample sample to help the front office in which direction to go goalie wise.
With the passing of Mike Bossy yesterday morning, the Canadiens of course honored the Montreal native and former Islanders’ great prior to puck drop with a simple salute, which for many was a letdown. Personally, I fail to see what more the Habs could have done, I expect the salute of all salute will come this Tuesday when the Islanders will play their first home game since his passing.
Hommage à une légende. 🕊ï¸â¤ï¸
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) April 15, 2022
Honoring a legend. pic.twitter.com/FB1z1yd4mw
There will be no rest for the Canadiens as they will be playing tonight against the Capitals at the Bell Center. I expect Jordan Harris to be back in the line-up after he skipped a turn last night, after all, attempting to defend against Alexander Ovechkin is sure to be quite an experience for the youngster.