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Carey Price last played an NHL game on November 25, 2015. If he’s healthy, he’s still the best goalie on Team Canada, if not the world. That’s a big if, because while Price may be physically fit to play there’s no telling whether he’ll be in game shape — or if the Canadiens want him to get much playing time before suiting up for the Habs.
If that’s the case, the Canadiens have a couple solid netminding options. Braden Holtby is the obvious next man up after a brilliant 2015-16 campaign that admittedly started a lot better than it finished. A lot of teams will do worse than starting a Holtby-level netminder in this tournament.
Of course it wouldn’t exactly be a crime to start Corey Crawford, a solid if unspectacular replacement level goalie. He’s good, not great, but given Canada’s strengths all over the ice it wouldn’t be much of a hinderance if Crawford gets a start or two to rest the others.
Team Canada Goalies
Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks; Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals; Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Group: A
First Game: Team Czech Republic vs. Team Canada, 5 p.m. PT, Sept. 17, ESPNEWS