Price’s return to the net on hold
Team Canada goalie to miss at least two games with lower-body injury
BROSSARD, Que. — Montreal Canadiens star goaltender Carey Price left the team’s morning skate on Wednesday with what the club is calling a lower-body injury.
Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said Price aggravated the injury while representing Canada at the Sochi Olympics.
“He will not play the next two games and he’s day-to-day,” Therrien said.
The Canadiens played the visiting Detroit Red Wings Wednesday. Peter Budaj started in goal, while Dustin Tokarski was called up from the AHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs to serve as backup.
Price, who will be re-evaluated Friday, was expected to make his return Saturday against the Maple Leafs in Toronto. His status for that game is unclear.
Price was participating in his first practice with the Canadiens since helping Canada win a gold medal in Sochi. He was injured while moving laterally to make a save during a five-on-0 power play drill.
Detroit coach Mike Babcock, who also coached Canada in Sochi, said he was unaware of Price being injured during the Games.
But Canada captain Sidney Crosby, speaking to reporters in Pittsburgh, said Price was ailing in Sochi and handled both the pressure of the starting job and his injury well.
“I think it was something that didn’t just happen at the Olympics,” said Crosby. “I think it’s something he’s been battling for a while.”
Price played in all but one of Canada’s games, including a 3-0 win over Sweden in the gold-medal game.