Canadiens' Carey Price still hopes to play this season

During his press availability on Sunday, Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price said he still hopes to play this season and return from the knee surgery he had in July of 2021.

The 34-year-old and future Hall of Famer said that he should know “within the next two weeks” if he can return to game action before the end of the season in April. Price suffered a setback in his recovery about two weeks ago, forcing him to restart the rehabilitation process on his knee.

Originally, Price was projected to miss around three months with the recovery process, and the Habs expected him to be ready for the start of the season. It became clear about a week before the puck drop on the 2021-22 campaign that he wouldn’t be healthy enough to play.

That window in October before the start of the season also saw him enter the NHLPA’s Player Assistance Program. He completed his treatment there and returned to the Canadiens after a month in early November.

If Price is able to return, Montreal hopes it will balance what’s been a precarious goaltending situation all season. Neither goalie in its current tandem has been good, as Sam Montembeault (2-8-4, 3.95 GAA, .895% SV) and Cayden Primeau (1-4-1, 4.51 GAA, .879% SV) have both really struggled with full-time NHL duty.

Jake Allen (5-16-2, 2 SO, 3.15 GAA, .901 SV%) had put forth his best effort in a trying season for the Canadiens, but he’s likely on the shelf until mid-to-late March with a lower-body injury.