The much-anticipated return of Carey Price to NHL regular-season action will be delayed a little while longer.
Price is fighting the flu, and will not accompany the team to Buffalo for its season opener against the Sabres on Thursday night.
That means backup Al Montoya will get the start in goal for the Habs as they open their season.
Price hasn't played a regular-season game since he played two periods of a game last Nov. 25 against the Rangers in New York.
He played just 12 games last season before going down with a season-ending knee injury. Mike Condon, who was claimed on waivers by the Penguins on Tuesday, spent the rest of last season as the Habs' number one.