from NHL.com :
BROSSARD - The wait is finally over. Carey Price will be back between the pipes on Thursday night against the Arizona Coyotes at the Bell Centre.
The Canadiens' starter recently came down with a severe flu that caused him to lose seven to eight pounds, but now he's ready to return to active duty.
It will mark Price's first regular-season start since November 25, 2015 against the New York Rangers. That's when he suffered a sprained MCL in his right knee and was forced to miss the remainder of the season.
Before watching from the sidelines last year, the Canadiens' No. 31 was enjoying an outstanding start to the season, posting 10 wins - including two shutouts - in 12 games, along with a 2.06 goals-against average and a .934 save percentage.
Head coach Michel Therrien, who admitted on Wednesday that he's looking forward to seeing the veteran netminder back in goal, would surely like to see him pick up where he left off before falling ill.
Three weeks ago, Price helped to pace Team Canada to the World Cup of Hockey title in Toronto.