Price appreciates cheers in season debut: 'It made me feel really wanted'

Carey Price made his season debut at the Bell Centre on Friday night and the raucous Montreal Canadiens fans made sure to shower him with cheers throughout the evening.

The 34-year-old received a thunderous ovation when he was introduced in the pregame lineups.

Fans also packed into the arena early to cheer him on during warmups.

"It was a lot of fun. Obviously, it was heartwarming. Made me feel really wanted," Price said postgame. "It was definitely emotional but I was able to stifle that and stay focused because I wanted to play well tonight."

Price had been sidelined all season long due to offseason knee surgery and subsequent rehab. He also spent a month in the NHL's player assistance program in October.

The Canadiens lost 3-0 to the Islanders on Friday. Price allowed two goals on 19 shots but looked sharp in his first game action in months. Ilya Sorokin posted a 44-save shutout for the Islanders.

With only seven games remaining on their schedule, head coach Martin St. Louis said it's entirely up to Price how much he'll play over that span.

“If Carey wants to play, he’s going to play," St. Louis said, according to The Athletic's Arpon Basu.