The Montreal Canadiens will be without superstar goaltender Carey Price to start the season.
Price is not travelling with the team to Buffalo, where the Canadiens open the season on Thursday night. He’s missed the last few days of practice with the flu. Goalie coach Stéphane Waite had previously told reporters that Price would be ready for Thursday night.
With Price out, expect newly-acquired backup Al Montoya to get the start against the Sabres. The Canadiens have recalled goaltender Charlie Lindgren from St. John’s of the AHL.
The Canadiens will be counting on Price to deliver big-time this season after injury cost him all but 12 games in 2015-16. He was rock-solid for Team Canada in their gold medal-winning performance at the World Cup of Hockey last month.
Montreal will be also be without top-four defenseman Jeff Petry for the first game or two of the season.