MTL@CGY: Carey Price starts against the Flames

CALGARY - After watching Antti Niemi play the last two games, Carey Price will be back in goal on Thursday night.

Head coach Claude Julien confirmed the news following the morning skate at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
It will mark Price's second outing against the Flames this season. He bested Bill Peters' squad with a 21-save effort back on October 23rd at the Bell Centre.
"We wanted to give Carey time to take a step back," said Julien, on the decision to feature Niemi in between the pipes against both the Vegas Golden Knights and the Edmonton Oilers. "I think mentally he's excited to be back in goal. I think it's the right moment."

The veteran bench boss has high expectations for the 31-year-old goaltender, who gave up six goals on 31 shots in his last outing on November 8th versus the Buffalo Sabres.
"We've seen that in the past, a goaltender takes a step back and just takes a deep breath and comes back and is back into his groove," said Julien. "We're hoping that Carey gets that good start tonight and helps us out because right now we need everyone stepping up, and he's one of the guys we'd like to see step up as well."
In 12 career games against the Flames, Price has a 6-5-1 record, along with a 2.64 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage and one shutout.
No doubt Price's teammates are hoping to deliver for their netminder as well.
"If we can play a little better in front of him, that'll make his job easier," mentioned Max Domi, who will be looking to extend his points streak to eight straight games on Thursday night. "We're confident as a group that we can do that for him."

Ouellet draws back in, Reilly is out
After being a healthy scratch for the last two games, defenseman Xavier Ouellet returns to the Canadiens' lineup against the Flames.
"We're making changes with certain players. There's internal competition," mentioned Julien, who will sit fellow rearguard Mike Reilly to make room for Ouellet. "When certain players are struggling and have tough games, not just one, but a few, we make changes."
Julien went on to expand upon Reilly's struggles of late and the decision to give Ouellet back his spot on the blueline.
"We're talking about the last little while there. I think we've seen him play much better, and there's some healthy players back there," said Julien, in reference to Reilly. "If we're going to be fair and honest, we've got to continue to be fair and honest the whole way. We need him to be better. At the same time, Xavier has an opportunity to come back. He competes hard. We're going to need that."
It goes without saying that Ouellet is pleased to be back in uniform. Up until the contest on November 10th against Vegas, the 25-year-old hadn't missed a single game all season.
"It's always tough, but it's a part of the game. I came here for an opportunity and I got it. There's good internal competition, and I think it's healthy for the team. It brings out the best in every player," explained Ouellet. "But, I'm excited to play. It will be up to me to come back and do what I was doing."

This will be the first time Reilly has watched from the sidelines after suiting up for all 18 of the Canadiens' games to date.