Al Montoya will be between the pipes Friday against the Senators, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

Montoya will be between the pipes Friday against the Senators, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

Analysis:

Though Roberto Luongo's upper-body injury isn't considered serious, it will keep him out for at least Friday, affording Montoya the opportunity to make his seventh appearance of the season. Montoya was superb in relief of the injured Luongo in Wednesday's win over the Hurricanes, stopping 22 of 22 shots, and should function as coach Gerard Gallant's primary option in the net until Luongo returns. The run of starts isn't expected to last more than a few games for Montoya, but he may be worth grabbing on speculation in the event Luongo's injury proves to be more of a long-term concern than the Panthers initially thought.