from Stu Cowan of the Montreal Gazette,
It’s unfortunate the best goalie in the world had to defend himself after getting run over twice during Thursday night’s 5-2 win over the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre. If you were wondering where his teammates were to defend him, you have to think Price was wondering the same thing when he decided to start pummelling Kyle Palmieri with his blocker after the Devils forward crashed into him in the first period with the Canadiens leading 2-1. New Jersey’s first goal came when Adam Henrique knocked both the puck and Price into the net.
When Price got run over the second time he had had enough. While the goalie pounded Palmieri, Canadiens defenceman Jeff Petry looked like he was actually trying to protect the Devil. After Saturday’s morning skate in Brossard, Petry said he was really trying to keep Price from getting a major penalty.
“At first, I really didn’t know how to react,” Petry said, “but then I just wanted to try and pull (Palmieri) out of there so there was no … further penalty I guess you would say.”...
There was talk when the Canadiens acquired Shea Weber in exchange for P.K. Subban last summer that opponents would no longer be running into Price. In reality, players will continue to crash Price’s crease unless the NHL does more to protect its goalies — or the goalie’s teammates do it themselves. Weber had only one hit in 23:05 of ice time against the Devils.
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