There’s still no timetable for Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price to return to game action, but there is some encouraging news out of Quebec.
Price remains out of the lineup with a lower-body injury, but coach Michel Therrien announced he will take to the ice in full equipment Friday afternoon.
The Canadiens were in first place overall when Price last played in an NHL game, in November. The club took a steep tumble down the standings in his absence and currently sits in sixth place in the Atlantic Division.
General manager Marc Bergevin admitted Price’s recovery has gone “slower than expected” in January. The 28-year-old has participated in some light skating and shooting activity in recent weeks but has not hit the ice in his goaltending gear.
Price, the 2015 Hart Trophy, Ted Lindsay Award and Vezina Trophy winner, is 10-2 with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage in 12 appearances this season.