Price allowed four goals on 22 shots in the Canadiens’ overtime loss to Toronto on Saturday. Price opened the season with a victory, but has now lost four consecutive starts while allowing a combined 13 goals on 86 shots (.849 SV%). Tonight he faces a Sharks team that is off to a slow start—the come in tied for 27th in the NHL in goals for (2.00 GF/PG).
Price allowed three goals on 25 shots in the Canadiens’ loss to Chicago on Tuesday. After opening the season with a win, Price has dropped his last three starts while allowing a combined nine goals on 64 shots (.859 SV%). Things won’t get any easier tonight as the Canadiens welcome the high-scoring Maple Leafs to town.
Price allowed two goals on 25 shots in the Canadiens 2-0 loss to the Rangers on Sunday. Price will make his third start in four days when he gets the call tonight vs. the visiting Blackhawks, who are coming off of an OT loss in Toronto last night. Price has a .905 SV% in his first three starts of the season and has been getting basically no goal support so far.
Price stopped 43 of 45 shots in the Canadiens’ 3-2 shooting win in Buffalo on Thursday. It was an outstanding start to the season for one of the league’s top netminders. He gets the nod again tonight as the Canadiens continue their road-trip in Washington—he was 1-2-0 with a 2.69 GAA and .911 SV% in three starts vs. the Capitals.
Price missed most of 2015-16 with an injury but returned last year to finish tied for fifth in the NHL in wins (37), tied for sixth in GAA (2.23) and tied for seventh in SV% (.923). Price is one of the steadiest fantasy options and arguably the best goaltender in the world, but the Canadiens have some questions up front and on the blueline which could limit his upside this season. Regardless, he is a must-start whenever he gets the call and has a pretty solid matchup tonight in Buffalo.
Because of the Red Wings salary cap situation, it was a stretch for Svechnikov to make the opening night roster and this injury all but seals his fate. The 20-year-old will likely open the season with Grand Rapids (AHL), where he had 20 goals and 31 assists (51 points) in 74 games last season.
Orlov is an impressive defenseman that combines high-end skating with physicality and offence. The Russian blueliner had six goals and 27 assists (33 points) in 82 games last season and should be able to post consistent 30-plus point seasons going forward.
