Carey Price‘s 2016-17 debut has been pushed back once again as the Montreal Canadiens netminder continues to deal with what the team is calling a “severe case of flu.”
Price hasn’t practised this week, missed Montreal’s season opener — a 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres — Thursday night, and won’t travel with the team when they visit the Ottawa Senators Saturday.
The team provided a medical update on Price’s condition Friday.
Price only played 12 games last season as a knee injury cut his season short and the Canadiens struggled mightily without him. The 29-year-old is coming off a strong showing representing Canada at the World Cup of Hockey.
Al Montoya made 30 saves in his Habs debut against the Sabres. Charlie Lindgren of the St. John’s IceCaps is acting as the temporary backup until Price is healthy.
Following their game against the Sens, the Canadiens will fly back to Montreal for their home opener next Wednesday against the defending Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins. It’s unclear at this time whether or not Price will be ready for that game.