For the first time since the 2021 Stanley Cup Finals. Montreal Canadiens star goalie Carey Price stepped on the ice and played in an NHL game when he suited up Friday night against the New York Islanders at home. Price’s return did not end up in a win, though, as he allowed a couple of goals on 19 shots faced in a 3-0 loss to the Isles.
Even though he and the Habs missed out on a victory, Price still sounded grateful of the opportunity to play this season.
Via ESPN:
“I missed it a lot. Any athlete will tell you that when you're on the sidelines injured, you're a part of the team, but you're not part of the process,” he said. “It's not easy not being part of the solution.”
Price almost the entire 2021-22 NHL season after he went under the knife back in the offseason to repair a knee injury. He would later step away from the game to focus on his recovery from substance abuse.
The Canadiens are no longer in contention for a playoff spot, but the appearance of Price at least gave Montreal fans something to feel good about during a disappointing campaign. Price stepped up big time in the 2021 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs for a Canadiens team that went on a Cinderella-esque postseason run that ended in a Stanley Cup Finals loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Over that playoffs stretch, Price went 13-9 with a 2.28 GAA and .924 SV%.
While Price's best days are now behind him, he must still have some gas left in his tank, which the Canadiens should hope is true because it's not going to be easy moving him via a trade. Not with his age and especially not with his dizzying cap hit.
Price is still under contract until the end of the 2026-27 NHL season, coming with an expensive cap hit of $10.5 million.
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