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Battle of the Backups: O’Connor and Condon face-off on Sunday

Manny Malhotra Ryan Stanton

Manny Malhotra Ryan Stanton

AP

The rivalry between the Canadiens and Senators took a big step last spring when the two teams met in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Carey Price and Dustin Tokarski were the goalies who dressed for Montreal in the series, while Craig Anderson and Andrew Hammond both started games for Ottawa.

Sunday’s battle will see two new faces thrown into mix.

Earlier today, Senators coach Dave Cameron confirmed that Matt O’Connor would get his first taste of NHL action.

In the second of back-to-back road games, Habs coach Michel Therrien is also turning to backup goalie Mike Condon.

O’Connor is in his first season in the professional ranks. The 23-year-old spent the last three years in the NCAA with Boston University.

He may not have been drafted, but as many as 14 NHL teams were interested in signing the free agent goaltender this off-season. O’Connor had an impressive 25-4-4 record with a 2.18 goals-against-average and a .927 save percentage with BU in 2014-15.

He’s currently on the roster because Andrew Hammond suffered a groin injury in training camp.

Canadiens goalie Mike Condon also took an unorthodox road to the NHL.

The 25-year-old rookie played his college hockey at Princeton University. Condon spent the last three seasons bouncing between the Ontario Reign (ECHL), Houston Aeros (AHL), Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL) and Wheeling Nailers (ECHL).

He had a 2.44 goals-against-average and a .921 save percentage in 48 games with the Bulldogs last season.

Condon beat out Dustin Tokarski for the Canadiens backup job this preseason.

Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 pm Eastern.