The Canadiens held an optional morning skate in Brossard before facing elimination in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference final Tuesday night at the Bell Centre against the New York Rangers (8 p.m., CBC, RDS, TSN Radio 690).
The only player who didn’t take part in the skate was Tomas Plekanec. Goalie Carey Price, who has been sidelined with a knee injury suffered in Game 1 of the conference final, was on the ice in full equipment before the morning skate with goalie coach Stephane Waite and Graham Rynbend, the team’s head athletic therapist.
After the skate, Canadiens coach Michel Therrien told reporters Price would not play in Game 5 or any time soon and that him skating in full equipment was “part of the process” in his recovery.
No changes to the Habs’ lineup are expected for Game 5.
The Rangers held their morning skate at the Bell Centre and Derek Stepan, who suffered a broken jaw when hit by Brandon Prust in Game 3, took part while wearing a faceguard. Stepan had surgery on Friday to repair the broken jaw.
If the Canadiens win Tuesday night, Game 6 would be Thursday night in New York (8 p.m., CBC, RDS, TSN Radio 690).
