Montreal Canadiens: Storylines and battles heading into training camp

Is Carey Price back to being Carey Price?

Holding the performance on a single player is unfair at times. That said, Carey Price was far from his usual self, and that impacted the Montreal Canadiens heavily. It was the perfect storm to occur as the team wasn’t good defensively and didn’t have the buffer or safety net in Price to back them up.

Losing Shea Weber to injury for the rest of the season was a big chunk of that. But it also came down to simple execution in their own end.

Price has a comfortable aura to him, and it was at its peak during the annual golf tournament. The 30-year-old told reporters that he had a good summer getting his body and mind right to start the year off. He also mentioned how a lot of people have already written the Habs off which could only prove to fuel them to prove those doubters wrong. If it doesn’t drive the rest of the team, then it definitely looks like Price will benefit from the emotionally fuelled boost.

Another thing to point out, which again may not be fair, are the playoff implications to an outstanding performance from Price. He’s the best goaltender in the world, and if on his game, the Habs will have a chance to win every night. Perhaps that squeaks enough wins and points to get them into a playoff spot, but it’ll be difficult if the rest of the team aren’t doing their part in the process.

Answering the question of whether he is back to his old self may be hard to answer at camp. But watching Price play could provide a steady framework to getting one.