Carey Price out for Canadiens’ opener vs. Sabres

Opening night for the Montreal Canadiens was scheduled to be cathartic, as goalie Carey Price made his triumphant return after missing the majority of last season with injuries.

The catharsis will have to wait.

The Montreal Canadiens announced Price isn’t practicing on Wednesday and won’t be joining the team on the road at the Buffalo Sabres for their opener on Thursday night. He’s out with the flu.

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Price last played for the Canadiens in the regular season on Nov. 25, 2015, sustaining an inner ligament strain in his right knee.

He rehabbed for several months and returned to dominate the World Cup of Hockey. He was last seen wearing beer goggles after sweeping Team Europe.

Al Montoya is Price’s primary backup this season, having admirably filled that role with the Florida Panthers last season.

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Greg Wyshynski is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter. His book, TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE PUCK, is available on Amazon and wherever books are sold.

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