After using their mad cyberpunk hacker skills to get Carey Price into the NHL All-Star Game as a starter, it unfortunately appears no one in Montreal has written a computer program to overcome a nagging ankle injury. French-language RDS reported it earlier, and the Globe & Mail explains why it's doubtful that the Montreal Canadiens goalie will see all-star action in the city next week:
Price, who has been doing some light skating with the Canadiens walking wounded in recent days, didn't step on the ice today, spending the team's practice time working out on a treadmill. He didn't emerge to speak to reporters, but his coach did.
"I have trouble imagining that Carey will play in the All-Star Game if he hasn't been able to jump on the ice and play at least one game before next Thursday," Canadiens coach Guy Carbonneau said after his squad's practice.
Carbonneau added that his priority is Price's long-term health and that if he's unable to get one or more games under his belt in the coming week, "my recommendation to (general manager) Bob (Gainey) and to Carey will be that he not play."
Price's backups for the Eastern Conference squad are Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins and Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers. Thomas has the better numbers, while Lundqvist has more wins. Who gets the start? The guess is Thomas. He has some history with the coach.
More importantly, who gets the third goalie spot? The Habs are already well-represented on the team, so it can be anyone from the conference. It would be an absolute crime if it isn't Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres; but could a case be made for either Craig Anderson of the Florida Panthers or Scott Clemmensen of the New Jersey Devils?
