Gallagher: Rest of Canadiens must help boost struggling Price
As Carey Price goes, so go the Montreal Canadiens.
The MVP goaltender has posted an uncharacteristic .877 save percentage through 11 games, leading to a record of 3-7-1. His latest loss came Thursday at the hands of the Minnesota Wild, wherein Price allowed five goals on 26 shots, including three in the first period.
But far as forward Brendan Gallagher is concerned, everyone on the ice needs to do their part to keep the puck out of the net.
"It's on us to limit those opportunities," Gallagher said, according to Matt Cudzinowski of Canadiens.com. "I think they're getting too many chances from prime scoring areas and we've got to be better in front of our goalie. He saved and bailed us out so many times that we're definitely not looking to him to rescue us now. I think we've just got to be better as a team."
For his part, Price doesn't seem overly concerned with his numbers to date.
"It's definitely a battle, but I know how to get through it. I'm not concerned about it," he said. "I'm just trying to stay positive and stick to the process. That's what makes you successful."
For his career, Price carries a .919 save percentage, and his single-season low is .905, set in 2008-09 and 2012-13. Since the latter season, he's been arguably the best goalie in the world, and needs to find that form again if the Canadiens are going to rise from 29th place and back into playoff contention.