Habs Report: Price To Decide Return Date; Petry Could Play Saturday

Although he’s getting closer to a return with every practice and skate he partakes in, the Montreal Canadiens are going to let Carey Price ultimately decide when he plays his first game since last July.

Carey Price Update

The Canadiens had an optional skate today in Toronto, and Carey Price was on the ice working with the coaching staff on some lateral drills. The Canadiens netminder was putting his knee to the test before he’s set to make his eventual return for Montreal. After practice, head coach Martin St. Louis said to journalists that it would be Price’s decision as to when he will be ready to play his first game for the Montreal Canadiens this season.

“I think Carey’s going to let us know when he feels it’s the time,” the Habs interim bench boss said. “He’s going to let us know when he’s ready.”

Price has worked hard to get to this point and that and his stature as one of the best goalies in the history of the NHL is why Price’s return date will be his decision.

“It’s hard work. It’s not just physical hard work, I think mentally he probably got challenged this year in terms of just staying sane, taking a step forward and then a couple of steps back,” noted St-Louis. “Sometimes, it’s hard to find some clarity through that process, but Carey, since I came on board, I feel he’s been a pro about it and trying to take care of every day the best he can.”

However, knowing the competitor that is Carey Price and seeing the way he’s moving out there at practice, one can’t help but speculate that Montreal’s game against the Jets at home on Monday night wouldn’t be the perfect time for the club’s franchise goaltender to make his return.

Some real game situation work with Carey Price. Looks pretty sharp, gotta say. pic.twitter.com/K3VgTIIAwg

— Arpon Basu (@ArponBasu) April 8, 2022

Petry Could Return Tomorrow For Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens did announce that defenceman Jeff Petry could make his return to the lineup tomorrow night as they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs for their last encounter this season.

Jeff Petry has been out with a lower-body injury since, March 21st, when he did not come back for the third period of the game for the Canadiens against the Boston Bruins. Petry remained in Montreal while the team went on their last lengthy road trip of the season in order to rehab his injury and prepare to make a return. Calling it quits on the season and heading home was never in the cards; Jeff Petry was adamant about coming back and finishing the last few games this season.