Canadiens goaltender Carey Price to have knee evaluated in New York

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price missed the majority of the 2021-22 NHL season for multiple reasons. Price underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on July 23 and then experienced a setback that forced him to restart his rehabilitation in the middle of January. 

The 34-year-old ultimately made his campaign debut on April 15 against the New York Islanders and has appeared in four total games this month. Per Sportsnet, Price wasn't originally scheduled to travel with the Canadiens for Wednesday's game at the New York Rangers, but Sean Farrell of the league's website notes that the veteran shot-stopper will now make that trip so he can have his knee examined in New York.

Price played in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators but didn't feature in Sunday's 5-3 defeat against the Boston Bruins. 

"He's going to be re-evaluated when he's seen in New York," Montreal coach Martin St. Louis told reporters about Price's status on Tuesday. "So I don't know if it's a relapse, but I was happy that he was able to play and we'll see what the next few days bring."

In total, Price has gone 0-4-0 with a 4.04 goals-against-average and a .853 save percentage since his return to the lineup. 

"I thought it was a big plus for him to fight and get back from dealing with his injury," St. Louis added. "But we knew that him playing, we knew that it wasn't going to be smooth sailing. We knew there were possibilities and I think that's where we're at and that's why he's getting looked at."

Price's name was in headlines last fall when news broke on Oct. 7 he had entered the NHL/NHL Players' Association player assistance program due to substance use. 

As for the eliminated Canadiens, they'll finish the season Friday against the Florida Panthers.