Montreal Canadiens veteran goalie Carey Price was replaced by Jake Allen after the first period in Monday's loss 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

Price stopped all seven saves he faced in the first period of the game, just his second start after returning from a lower-body injury.

After the game, Canadiens head coach Dominique Ducharme confirmed that Price suffered an upper-body injury due to contact from Oilers forward Alex Chiasson on the goalie interference incident in the first period. There was no further update on his condition. 

Jake Allen took over in the crease Monday, allowing three goals on 28 shots in two periods of work.

"It's unfortunate for Carey, but that's what I'm here for," Allen said. "I'm here to step up when guys go down. That's my job. So I've got to always be ready."

Allen saw his record drop to 7-8-4 with the loss on Monday. He has a .914 save percentage and a 2.52 goals-against average in 19 games this season. The 30-year-old made six straight starts earlier this month with Price sidelined.

Price returned to game action on Saturday afternoon against the Ottawa Senators after being sidelined since April 5 with a lower-body injury. 

The 33-year-old is 12-7-5 with a 2.67 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage over 24 games this season, his 14th with the Canadiens.

Montreal continues to sit fourth in the North Division, with a six-point lead over the fifth-place Calgary Flames, who have played two more games. The Vancouver Canucks, who are sixth in the division, are 10 points back of the Canadiens with five games in hand.