Carey Price may have been medically cleared to play, however the Canadiens backstop who hasn't suited up in a game since injuring his left ankle on Dec. 30 will have to arm himself with patience.

Jaroslav Halak, who started all eight games during Price's absence, will be in net Tuesday night when the Canadiens visit the Atlanta Thrashers at Philips Arena. The former seventh-round pick won six of the eight starts and is one of the reasons the Canadiens have caught fire of late.

Team captain Saku Koivu, who accompanied the Canadiens on their two-game road trip to Atlanta and New Jersey, will be forced to miss a 17th consecutive contest due to a left ankle ailment. The Canadiens would rather exercise caution with Koivu and can afford to having won 11 of their last 13 games in spite of having a number of regulars on the mend.

Christopher Higgins also will not return to the lineup just yet. Higgins has been out for close to six weeks with a separated shoulder.

"I don't expect to play on this trip because the team is doing so well and we've got the all-star break coming up," Higgins said. "But I wouldn't rule it out entirely."