Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price doubtful to start season opener due to flu
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price may miss the team’s season-opener against the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday as he’s suffering from the flu.
The Canadiens have placed a lot of faith in Price. Ever since the shocking trade of former starter and playoff hero Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues, Price has been given the keys to the Canadiens’
car, and has been told to drive the team as far as he possibly can at all costs.
General manager Pierre Gauthier seemed to think that the Price was right for the Habs, as he compiled some strong starts during the team’s pre-season run. His most recent game was a spectacular effort
against the New York Islanders last Saturday night. The Habs routed the Islanders 7-2 in that game, which featured some great saves from the young goalie.
If Price’s illness prevents him from playing in the game, he will be supplanted by Alex Auld, one of Gauthier’s offseason acquisitions. If that happens, the Habs may need to call up third-string netminder
Curtis Sanford from the Hamilton Bulldogs, their American Hockey League affiliate. Sanford would serve as Auld’s backup if called up.
Price was deemed the Habs’ starter last season as well, but his uninspired play and long string of losses cost him his job. He was relegated to backup status as the Slovakian Halak took over the starting
duties.
The Canadiens rode Halak and his amazing play all the way into the playoffs. Montreal, the eighth seed, knocked off the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins in seven games apiece, thanks to Halak’s
stellar work. Price’s starts during the playoffs were limited to a few relief appearances.
During his three seasons in Montreal, Price has put together a record of 60-48-18, along with a goals against average of 2.73 and a save percentage of .912.
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