Canadiens Goaltender Carey Price to Miss Rangers Series

The Montreal Canadiens will be without star goaltender Carey Price for the rest of the Eastern Conference finals against the Rangers.

Canadiens coach Michel Therrien announced the decision before Game 2 of the series Monday night. Price hurt his right knee during New York's 7-2 victory Saturday.

"Really disappointed," Therrien said. "He's our best player."

Rangers forward Chris Kreider crashed into Price skates-first after missing the net on a breakaway in the second period. Price lay on the ice but stayed in the game. He was replaced by Peter Budaj for the third period.

Price tested his knee briefly Sunday but did not take part in an optional practice. Therrien did not say if Budaj or third-stringer Dustin Tokarski would start Game 2.

The coach called Kreider's actions a "reckless play."

"That's the truth," he said. "And Kreider, that's not the first time he's going at goalies. So we end up losing our best player, but our group faced a lot of adversity throughout the course of the season. We have the attitude to respond really well, and that's what I'm expecting."

Therrien said he hopes the team can win without its star goalie to give Price a chance to return for the Stanley Cup final.

Price backstopped Canada to a gold medal at the Sochi Olympics in February and was having strong playoffs for the Canadiens.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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