Canadiens G Price, C Koivu sidelined

Dec 14, 2008 - 12:23 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- The Montreal Canadiens on Saturday learned the availability of two key players.

On top of an illness, goaltender Carey Price is suffering from a lower body injury and will be sidelined for four more days, according to a report by TSN of Canada.

The web site also reported that captain Saku Koivu will be out two weeks with an apparent right foot injury.

Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau told TSN the 21-year-old Price sustained the injury during Wednesday's practice.

The native of Vancouver, British Columbia is 13-4-4 with one shutout, a 2.37 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage this season.

Koivu suffered his injury during the first period of the Canadiens' 3-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. He took five shifts in the second period before retreating to the locker room for good.

The Finn has recorded seven goals and 15 assists in 28 games this season.

Koivu is playing in his 13th season for the Canadiens after being the 21st overall player selected in the 1993 draft. The 34-year-old has registered 182 goals and 431 assists in 755 career games.

Price and Koivu join a bevy of injured teammates on the sidelines, including left wing Chris Higgins (shoulder, out five weeks), defensemen Mike Komisarek (hand-shoulder, out indefinitely) and Mathieu Dandenault (left arm, out 6-8 weeks) and enforcer Georges Laraque (lower body).