15 reasons this NHL season took place in the Upside Down

13. Carey Price was mortal

Montreal Canadiens superstar stopper Carey Price was expected to bounce back this season, what with him seemingly in better stead because his squad went out early in the playoffs last year, providing more recovery time after enduring a season extended by the World Cup.

Price’s injuries were in the rear view, and even though general manager Marc Bergevin made some questionable offseason moves, talk was high for the Habs to improve upon a stellar, division-winning 2016-17 season.

But then minutes-muncher and all-around intimidating beastly defenseman Shea Weber went down with a foot injury that required surgery, exposing the team’s defensive weakness and opening Price up to more shots and net-front traffic.

As a result, the former Vezina Trophy winner as the league’s best goaltender had one of his worst seasons in terms of goals-against average and save percentage. Price, who is as cool as cucumber, will roll with it,  but his season was definitely the opposite of what was expected.