• AUDIO:  Jaroslav Spacek | Tomas Plekanec | Jacques Martin

Carey Price, who is coming off a strong albeit losing performance Sunday against Buffalo, will start against the Washington Capitals tonight. Michael Neuvirth is expected to get the nod in the Capitals net over former Canadien José Theodore.

The Canadiens had an optional morning skate and 15 players took advantage of the ice time. Defenceman Andrei Markov and Roman Hamrlik took as pass, as did Michael Cammalleri, Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez.

In other news, USA Today named Tomas Plekanec as the clutch player of the month. The award is based on a calculation which measures not only points but also their impact on a game.

• PREGAME AUDIO: Jacques Martin | Coyotes coach Dave Tippett | Coyotes’ Robert Lang

Carey Price will be the Canadiens’ starting goaltender against the Phoenix Coyotes.

The Canadiens will go with their big line of Mike Cammalleri, Scott Gomez and Brian Gionta and, in the continuing quest for production from the No. 2 line, Tom Pyatt will join Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Kostitsyn on the No. 2 line, as Jacques Martin practised his troops yesterday.