Price helps Canadiens climb into playoff spot with 4th straight win

The postseason doesn't start for a very long time, but the Montreal Canadiens are temporarily, and somewhat improbably, in a playoff spot.

Carey Price continued his strong play since recovering from injury, making 28 saves on 31 shots to lift the Canadiens to a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night.

Montreal vaulted past the Boston Bruins for third place in the Atlantic Division, albeit having played four more games than their longtime rivals, and having played more contests than any other divisional foe except the Toronto Maple Leafs.

It was the star goaltender's fourth consecutive win since returning, and he looks to be back to his old self.

Price's performance before and after the 10-game injury absence has truly been night and day.

He won only three of those first 11 games, allowing at least four goals in seven of them. He then returned to shut out the Buffalo Sabres on Nov. 25, and allowed only one goal in each of his next two starts against the Columbus Blue Jackets and Ottawa Senators, respectively, before winning Thursday night's contest in Detroit.

The Canadiens were among the NHL's worst teams before Price's absence, but clearly the break was exactly what he and his club needed.