The Montreal Canadiens, already the best team in the NHL, are about to get a big boost. Goaltender Carey Price returned to practice on Wednesday, taking the ice for his first full training session since suffering an undisclosed injury against the Edmonton Oilers earlier this season.

Price has been out of the lineup since Oct. 29, with a lower-body injury that the surging Habs chose not to elaborate on. On Monday, Price took his first step to a return, handling shots from Montreal goaltending coach Stephane Wait. "He's progressing, we're glad," Canadiens head coach Michel Therrien said then, via Eric Engels of Sportsnet. "But this is too early to talk about a comeback. The good news is that he's progressing well." And while it may still be too early to talk about a comeback, Price continues to inch closer to his return date. Per John Lu of TSN Montreal, Price said he "feels good," but added that he needs to work on his timing. He also remained non-committal on a firm date of return.

Price also would not confirm to Lu at what point during the Oilers game the injury occurred or whether it's an aggravation of an old injury, or a new issue entirely.

And for those Habs fans concerned that Price traveling to New York for a second opinion could indicate a more severe injury than initially thought, Price indicated it was just something he chose to do because, well, he suddenly had time on his hands. "I had time to do it, so why not?," Price told Lu.

In the end, Therrien reiterated that he will allow Price to be the one to decide when he's "100 percent ready to play."

With the Habs rolling along as they are and sitting in a three-way tie atop the entire league with the Rangers and the Stars, there's really no need for Price to rush himself back. It's probably in the team's best interest for Price to rest up and ensure that he's ready for what is already expected to be a deep postseason run.

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