BROSSARD, Quebec — Montreal goaltender Carey Price’s status for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference final is still unclear.
Price briefly tested his right knee Sunday before the Canadiens’ optional practice. Coach Michel Therrien said the team will know more Monday before they host the New York Rangers trailing 1-0 in the series.
Price spent about five minutes on the ice with goaltending coach Stephane Waite, mostly moving side to side in the crease.
“Today was an optional practice,” Therrien said. “It was a therapy day for Carey. We’ll see if he’s able to play.”
Price was hurt early in the second period of Saturday’s 7-2 loss in Game 1 when Rangers forward Chris Kreider crashed into him skates-first after missing the net on a breakaway.
Price lay on the ice for a while and appeared to injure his right knee, but got up and stayed in the game. After giving up two goals late in the period, he was replaced by backup Peter Budaj for the third.
Forward Brandon Prust said Kreider ran into Price “accidentally on purpose.”
Therrien agreed.
“I reviewed the incident,” he said. “Obviously, it was an accidental contact, but let’s put it this way: He didn’t make much effort to avoid the contact.
“I’m sure the intention of the player was not to hit the goalie, but you have to try to do everything in your power to avoid contact, and it’s tough to say if he tried everything to avoid that contact.”
