Price will miss season opener due to illness

The Montreal Canadiens will begin their season without Carey Price in net.

The goalie has come down with the flu, did not practice Wednesday, and will not travel with the team to Buffalo in advance of Thursday's season opener against the Sabres, the club has announced.

He could, however, be back for Montreal's second game.

Michel Therrien speaks of possibility of Carey Price joining team Friday in Ottawa for game vs Sens on Saturday if he's healthy by then

- Drpon Basu (@ArponBasu) October 12, 2016

Price, of course, is looking to rebound from an injury-plagued 2015-16 and build off a solid showing at the World Cup of Hockey in order to regain his place as the NHL's best at his position.

Al Montoya will get the start, while Charlie Lindgren has been recalled from the AHL to serve as backup.

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