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RALEIGH, N.C. — Paul Byron left the morning skate early Thursday, but it appears that he will be in the lineup when the Canadiens face the Carolina Hurricanes (7 p.m., TSN2, RDS, TSN 690).

And, after hinting that he might give Carey Price the night off, coach Claude Julien has decided to go with his No. 1 goaltender for the 25th time in 27 games.

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Byron had to leave Tuesday’s game in St. Louis after he crashed into the boards with less than three minutes to play. He wasn’t on the ice for practice Wednesday, but did receive treatment and spent time on the stationary bike.

Byron said he was lucky that he went into the end boards shoulder first after he was pushed from behind by the Blues’ Colton Parayko, who received a five-minute major for boarding.

“I’m just glad it wasn’t the head,” said Byron.

The Canadiens held a well-attended optional morning skate and Byron was among the 15 skaters and two goaltenders on the ice for the 30-minute session. Byron excused himself after 15 minutes, but Julien expects him to play.

“He skated this morning and we expect him to play,” said Julien. “If anything changes, it will be at game time.”

There will be two lineup changes.

David Schlemko is out as Jordie Benn returns after one game as a healthy scratch. Up front, Daniel Carr replaces Logan Shaw on the fourth line.

phickey@postmedia.com

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