One small misstep by Carey Price, one giant cloud of uncertainty over the Montreal Canadiens.
For the second time this season, the reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner is sidelined with a lower-body injury. While the timetable for his return remains unknown, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman shed some light on the origin of the injury.
"This all began on Oct. 29 in Edmonton," Friedman reported during the Saturday edition of Hockey Night in Canada's 'Headlines' segment. "Price stepped on a puck in the warmup, and all the injury problems have come from there."
Price started and finished that game against the Oilers, allowing four goals on 27 shots in a 4-3 loss. He then missed three weeks of action before returning on Nov. 20, stringing together three straight wins before being placed on injured reserve on Nov. 26 due to an aggravation of the injury the night before.
The goalie met with doctors Saturday, and is set to undergo further tests to determine the extent of the injury, according to Pierre LeBrun of ESPN. An updated timeline is expected to be announced Monday or Tuesday.
Altogether, Price has appeared in 12 games for the Canadiens, posting a record of 10-2-0 with a .934 save percentage and two shutouts. Montreal remains atop the NHL standings despite his absence, but their hold on first place could weaken the longer Price remains off the ice.
