Carey Price took part in his first practice with his teammates this morning as the Montreal Canadiens prepare to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in Florida tonight. Looking back on the schedule before the season even started, many thought that these last few games would have playoff implications for both teams in a likely battle for the Atlantic division crown. Instead, the Canadiens will be missing the post-season dance while the Lightning are tied with their in-state rivals Florida Panthers with 93 points for 1st place in the Atlantic.
Price will not play or dress tonight in Tampa Bay. The fact that he is able to finally practice with the team is a big step in his recovery. After practice, Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien would not confirm if Price will start a game this season, nor would he target a return date. With only 4 games left of the season after tonight, Price is running out of time if he wants to get back into game action and test himself before the season’s end.
#Habs Carey Price facing shots and taking drills with team for first time. It's official, he's back at practice. pic.twitter.com/WamZf65F7f
— John Bartlett (@BartsBytes) March 31, 2016
It was also newcomer Charlie Lindgren’s 1st practice with his new team and he shared the net in practice with Price. Therrien will give the new goaltender a few practices to get used to the team and up to NHL speed. Lindgren will get at least one start before the season is over but it won’t be tonight in Tampa Bay as Mike Condon will get the start between the pipes. Meanwhile, Ben Scrivens has cleared waivers and assigned to the St. John’s Ice Caps in the AHL.
"Our plan is to get Charlie [Lindgren] into a game, but we need to give him a chance to acclimate." -M. Therrien
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 31, 2016
Lindgren is already used to wearing the Canadiens colours and ‘C’ on his chest as the St. Cloud State uniform closely replicates that of the Canadiens. In another tie between Lindgren and the Habs, he honours Canadiens goaltender great Ken Dryden on his helmet:
"My dad is my biggest influence and his favorite player was Ken Dryden."- @CharlieLindgren about his mask pic.twitter.com/bYr4N6rkDm
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 31, 2016
P.K. Subban, Brendan Gallagher, Daniel Carr and Brian Flynn all participated in practice as well today but will not dress tonight against the Lightning. The earliest any of them come back to the lineup will be this Saturday against the Florida Panthers. It will be interesting to see if the players on the ice tonight will feel a little more inspired having Price back practising with the team. The only lineup change for tonight sees Mike Brown sit out after what was likely his worst game as a Canadiens and Stefan Matteau will take his place on the fourth line:
#Habs Trios
— Guillaume Lefrançois (@glefrancoisLP) March 31, 2016
Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Byron
Eller-Plekanec-Mitchell
Andrighetto-Desharnais-Danault
JDLR-McCarron-Matteau
Michel Lebrun en trop
Puck drops at 7:30pm
Cheers & follow along!
#Habs Trios
— Guillaume Lefrançois (@glefrancoisLP) March 31, 2016
Pacioretty-Galchenyuk-Byron
Eller-Plekanec-Mitchell
Andrighetto-Desharnais-Danault
JDLR-McCarron-Matteau
Michel Lebrun en trop