NHL

Price-less practice heightens Canadiens’ concern

MONTREAL — The tone coming from the Canadiens after their optional practice on Saturday was one of concern.

It was not concern about the 1-0 series deficit they face against the Rangers in their Eastern Conference final, which resumes with Game 2 on Monday night at the Bell Centre, but concern about whether their star goaltender, Carey Price, will be able to play.

Price, the gold medal-winning Olympic goalie for Canada, was pulled from the net for the third period of the Canadiens’ 7-2 loss to the Rangers in Game 1 after he appeared to injure his right leg when Rangers winger Chris Kreider crashed into him after a breakaway at 3:15 of the second period.

Price, who allowed four Rangers goals on just 20 shots Saturday, did not speak to reporters after the Game 1 loss, did not participate in Sunday’s optional practice and was not made available to reporters after practice.

He went onto the ice at their practice center with goaltending coach Stephane Waite for about five minutes, mostly moving side to side in the crease to test his leg.

When Montreal coach Michel Therrien was asked Sunday if he “has any doubt’’ Price will start Game 2, he said, “We’ll see [Monday]. I can’t tell you that right now.’’

Therrien called Sunday “a therapy day’’ for Price.

“It was an optional practice,’’ Canadiens winger Dale Weise said. “P.K. (Subban) didn’t skate either. Does that worry you, too?’’

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said Sunday he’s “sure’’ Price will play, “so we’re getting ready for him.’’

Price’s teammates, to a man, insisted they “hoped’’ their netminder would be OK to play Monday, but none knew for sure.

The fact that some of Canadiens, led by former Ranger Brandon Prust (who was most vocal) and including Therrien, suggested Kreider didn’t make enough of an effort to avoid slamming into Price,
while leading with his skates, raised questions about whether there was concern Price was hurt enough not to play or have his health compromised.

If Price is unable to play, he will be replaced by backup Peter Budaj, who spelled him in the third period Saturday and allowed three Rangers power-play goal in the first 4:36.

Before Saturday’s game, Price had owned the Rangers, who were 1-8-1 in their previous 10 games at the Bell Centre — seven of which Price started while winning six with five shutouts and allowing three goals.

“He’s been the most important piece of this team,’’ Prust said. “That’s pretty much been all year for this team. He took a day of rest, but hopefully he’ll be ready to go. If not, [Budaj] will be ready.’’

Budaj has a 10-8-1 record for the Canadiens this year with a 2.51 goals-against average and a .909 save percentage and is 124-107-36 in his career with a 2.76 and a .903. He, too, called Price “our best player, a competitor and leader.’’

“We wouldn’t be here without him,’’ said Budaj, who has an 0-2 career playoff record with a 5.13 goals-against average. “Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go. If not, I’m ready if I need to go.’’