Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has not played since being injured in a November 2nd game against the Minnesota Wild.
Carey Price Not Practicing
While he returned to practice last week, Price is again off the ice today. Apparently, his recovery is going slower than expected. However, general manager Marc Bergevin re-iterated today that it was a minor issue and would not be a repeat of his 2014-15 season. Even before the injury, Price was not himself, with an .883 save percentage and 3.64 goals against average so far this season.
Carey Price injury happen during the warmup in Minnesota. @CanadiensMTL #tvasports
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) November 14, 2017
Carey Price said he needs to be off the ice for a couple of days because nothing has changed since he started skating last week.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) November 14, 2017
"I have no idea. So long as he doesn't practise with the team, I don't have a time frame. But it won't be long." Bergevin on Price recovery
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) November 14, 2017
Al Montoya Injured
Canadiens back-up goaltender Al Montoya is also on the shelf. He suffered a concussion sometime last week. It is unclear how long he will be out. The Canadiens have benefitted from the great play of Charlie Lindgren who has gone 3-1 with a .964 save percentage and one shutout in four games this past week. He should continue to take the majority of starts while the other two goalies are in the infirmary.
Antti Niemi Claimed
When Montoya was unable to be the back-up for Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, the Canadiens called up Zach Fucale on an emergency basis. However, Bergevin indicated that he was uncomfortable having two rookie goaltenders on the team, and has now made a waiver claim to get an experienced netminder. He claimed Antti Niemi off waivers from the Florida Panthers. Niemi has also played for the Pittsburgh Penguins this season. His statistics are a tire fire this season. He has an .814 save percentage and 6.74 goals against average.
Marc Bergevin says with two young goalies now and Al Montoya being out indefinitely he wanted a veteran goalie as insurance, hence Niemi.
— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) November 14, 2017
Artturi Lehkonen Out
The Canadiens also got some bad news up front as Artturi Lehkonen will be unable to play in tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Winger Paul Byron will take his spot on the line with Jonathan Drouin and Alex Galchenyuk. Meanwhile, Charles Hudon moves from the fourth line to a spot beside Tomas Plekanec.
Lower body injury. Artturi Lehkonen won’t play. He was at practice yesterday. https://t.co/3tynpnEM90
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) November 14, 2017
Main Photo:
MONTREAL, QC – FEBRUARY 04: Look on Montreal Canadiens Goalie Carey Price (31) inbetween plays during the Washington Capitals versus the Montreal Canadiens game on February 4, 2017, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
