"We took the time to discuss the situation with Carey and the medical group earlier today, and we all agreed that the best decision for him would be to rest and recuperate during the upcoming All-Star break," general manager Marc Bergevin said. "Carey has had a nagging injury for some time, and we want to make sure to have him healthy and rested for the second half of the season."
The goalie made 33 saves in a 2-0 win against the Vancouver Canucks on Jan. 4 after missing the previous three games with a lower-body injury. He is 16-12-4 with a 2.71 goals-against average and .909 save percentage in 33 games this season. The 31-year-old got his 300th NHL win when he made 36 saves in a 2-1 victory at the Arizona Coyotes on Dec. 20, 2018.
"Well obviously at this point in the season and my career and where we're at right now, it's better for me to take the time off," Price said Monday after making 24 saves in the Canadiens' 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild. "And I feel like I've been a very good participant in the event so far and I'm very honored to be named to that again, but right now the smart choice is to take the time to rest."
Price, who has played in the NHL All-Star Game six times, started for Montreal on Monday and allowed one goal on 25 shots in a 1-0 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
"For him, it's an honor to be chosen, and every year he was chosen, Carey took part in the All-Star Game," Bergevin said. "Of course he would have liked to go, but he understands the situation very well, that his team, the Montreal Canadiens, is the most important for him, and he accepted it."
Price will have to sit out one game for Montreal because of the decision to skip the All-Star Game.
"It's not a suspension," Bergevin said. "I had a discussion with the League again this morning. It's the game before or the game after (the All-Star Game) that we have to decide. I know we have a back-to-back when we return so it will probably be one of those two games.
"It's a demanding position. In Carey's case we want to be sure. He's playing well right now, he's healthy, but it's just that there are things that can always go better with rest, so that's why we made this decision."
