Canadiens G Price returns in relief of ineffective Halak

Jan 21, 2009 - 1:19 AM ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Montreal Canadiens welcomed back All-Star goaltender Carey Price, but not in a way they had hoped.

Price, who had been sidelined with a sprained right ankle for the previous eight games, entered Tuesday's contest against the Atlanta Thrashers in the second period to relieve the ineffective Jaroslav Halak.

Halak had gone 6-2-0 in place of Price despite surrendering 27 goals over that span. The 23-year-old Czech was dreadfully exposed Tuesday, giving up two goals in the first period and another in the opening minutes of the second.

After Rich Peverley gave the Thrashers a 3-0 bulge just 3:48 into the middle session, Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau promptly summoned Price from the bench for his first appearance since December 30.

Price has not lost a game in regulation since a 2-1 setback to the Carolina Hurricanes on November 18, although he has seen action in only 12 games since.

The 21-year-old Price is 16-4-5 with one shutout and a 2.30 goals-against average in 25 games this season. Selected fifth overall in the 2005 draft, he owns a 40-16-8 record with four blankings and a 2.46 GAA in 66 contests over his two-year career with the Canadiens.