Price made 17 saves in the 3-0 defeat by the islanders in a two-team battle outside the playoffs. “It was definitely a test season, for me personally and for the team. I did not feel normal enough, but close enough,” Price said after the game.
1 Relevant Price, 34, has not played in an NHL match since the 5th game of the 2021 Stanley Cup final, when Montreal was eliminated by Tampa Bay Lightning. The following months were turbulent for Price. He underwent knee surgery out of season. He waived the motion ban clause to remain unprotected in the Seattle Kraken expansion plan – the thought was that his huge contract would prevent Seattle from selecting him and they did not take him. On October 7, Price voluntarily joined the NHL / NHLPA Player Assistance Program for what he said was substance abuse. “In recent years, I have allowed myself to reach a very dark place and I did not have the tools to face this struggle,” Price said at the time. Price returned to the Canadiens in late 2021, but his return trip had many setbacks, including a longer-than-expected recovery from his surgery and a non-COVID-19-related illness that rendered him incapacitated. “It was very hard work. Not just from myself but from the teaching staff,” Price said. His return to the Canadian team was welcomed by his teammates. “I am incredibly happy he could play tonight. Finally, get into the action of the game. He is a huge part of our team and it was difficult for him here,” said Montreal winger Paul Byron. “He is a quiet guy. He has a calm, passive attitude towards him. But I know how much this meant to him and how much it meant to his family.” Price’s family attended his return to the NHL and he greeted him during the warm-up – including Lincoln’s 1-year-old son, who was watching his father play in person for the first time. “I think he was a little disappointed [my] mask and equipment, “Price joked. “It simply came to our notice then. “Keep things in perspective.” The small moments increased throughout the game for Price. He received applause when his name was announced as the main goalkeeper. “It was a lot of fun. It was moving. It made me feel, I guess, what I wanted,” he said. Price made his first save 3 minutes and 32 seconds after the game on a shot by Kyle Palmieri of the Islanders. The crowd roared in recognition of the moment. After the last buzzer, the Canadiens skated to personally congratulate Price, as they would after a victory. The remaining fans at the Bell Center gave Price another round of applause and he raised his wand in appreciation. This is Price’s 15th NHL season. He has a career record of 360-257-79 in 707 games, all with the Canadiens. Price won the Hart Trophy as the NHL MVP and the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalkeeper in 2014-15. Price is signed for the 2025-26 season with an average annual contract value of $ 10.5 million. It was a difficult season for the Canadians, who made it to the Stanley Cup final with a 20-44-11 season for last place in the Eastern Conference. Price said it was difficult for him when he could not help his teammates. “I missed him a lot. Every athlete will tell you that when you are on the sidelines injured, you are part of the team, but you are not part of the process,” he said. “It is not easy not to be part of the solution.” The Canadians have seven more games in their season.
