Carey Price reminded everyone Monday why he's still in the conversation for best goalie in the world.
The Montreal Canadiens goaltender stopped 30 of 31 shots during a spectacular performance in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was less than two minutes away from a shutout before William Nylander beat him with a meaningless tally after Montreal already scored an empty-netter en route to a 3-1 win.
Habs forward Brendan Gallagher, who scored the opening goal in Game 7, was highly complimentary toward his netminder.
"We gave him one goal, it was almost like we knew it was going to be enough," Gallagher said postgame, per Sportsnet.
"It's a different level of confidence when you know Price is back there - especially in these elimination games," Gallagher added. "He's the best I've ever seen."
Price is now 22-10 with a 2.00 goals-against average, .929 save percentage, and three shutouts when facing elimination across all competitions, including international play, in his career, per Sportsnet. He's also 7-2 with a 1.54 goals-against average, .944 save percentage, and two shutouts in winner-take-all games.
However, since 2017-18, he owns a pedestrian .909 save percentage and minus-7.7 goals saved above average in the regular season. Yet, time and time again, he's proven to step up big when it matters most. He recorded a .936 save percentage during last year's playoffs and a .931 mark in the first round against Toronto this year.
The media asked Price postgame if this is the best hockey he's ever played, but he calmly deflected the question, just as he did to most of Toronto's shots in the series.
"That was our best game of the series," the 2015 Vezina Trophy winner said.
Price will go toe-to-toe with the reigning Vezina winner Connor Hellebuyck in what could be a goaltender's duel for the ages when the Canadiens take on the Winnipeg Jets in Round 2.
