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Desperate Bolts will have to face Carey Price

Colorado Avalanche v Montreal Canadiens

MONTREAL, QC - DECEMBER 10: Carey Price #31 of the Montreal Canadiens looks on as he protects his net during the NHL game against the Colorado Avalanche at the Bell Centre on December 10, 2016 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Colorado Avalanche 10-1. (Photo by Minas Panagiotakis/Getty Images)

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The Montreal Canadiens have nothing to play for in the final two games of their regular season, having already locked up first place in the Atlantic Division.

But tonight at Bell Centre, against a desperate Tampa Bay team, Carey Price will be Montreal’s starter nonetheless. The Habs also play tomorrow in Detroit. Expect to see the backup, Al Montoya, then.

Price started two days ago in Buffalo, a 2-1 loss to the Sabres. Naturally, there was talk he should rest the final two games, lest he suffer an injury.

“Our goaltender wants to stay sharp and he doesn’t want to sit out for too, too long,” head coach Claude Julien countered, per TSN.ca. “Depending on when the playoffs start -- whether it’s Wednesday or Thursday night, I have no idea -- I don’t know that he wants to sit out for a whole week. So we’ve got to try to manage that as best we can. Unfortunately, injuries are a part of the game and those things sometimes you can’t really control.”

If Montreal beats the Bolts in an way, the Lightning will be mathematically eliminated from the playoff race.