MONTRAEL – Carey Price is in the history books.
And his fellow Montreal Canadiens weren’t going to let him go without congratulating him – with a face full of shaving cream.
With a 4-3 overtime win over the Detroit Red Wings Thursday night, Price passed the mark of 42 wins put up by Canadiens goaltending legends Jacques Plante (1955-56 and 1961-62) and Ken Dryden (1975-76).
“[The record] crossed my mind, but at the same time, I focused on what I needed to do. That’s what got me where I am.”
The sold-out crowd at Montreal’s Bell Centre gave Price a standing ovation in the moments following the game, with chants of “Carey!” and “MVP! MVP!” nearly drowning out attempts to interview him post-game.
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“I’m very proud of Carey,” said Canadiens Head Coach Michel Therrien. “To set a Canadiens record is phenomenal. We’re talking about a team that has been around for more than 100 years.”
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But it was defenceman Alexei Emelin who had the best surprise for Price: shaving cream, delivered to Price’s face moments after he had finished speaking to the media.
“He got him pretty good; Pricey’s usually sharp in seeing those things coming,” said teammate P.K. Subban.
“It was shaving cream, it didn’t taste too good,” said Price, who made 24 saves on the night.
The Vancouver, B.C. native has been simply sensational this season for the Habs, and is seen as one of the leaders for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s most valuable player.
His .934 save percentage and 1.95 goals-against average lead the league, and his 43 wins is an NHL best for a netminder as well.
Since entering the league in 2005 as a first-round selection of the Canadiens, Price has been named to four All-Star games, and is widely seen as one of the finest goaltenders in the world.
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He also backstopped Team Canada to a gold medal at the 2007 World Junior Championships, and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, where he allowed just three goals and was named the best goaltender in the tournament.
Now coach Michel Therrien must decide whether Price or backup Dustin Tokarski will play when Montreal ends its regular season Saturday night in Toronto.
The Canadiens need one point to clinch first place in the Atlantic Division ahead of Tampa Bay.
-With files from the Associated Press
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