Toronto @ Montreal preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 2, 2016 ) Toronto 11, Montreal 38

The Toronto Argonauts hit the road to face the Montreal Alouettes in the first game of a home-and-home set Friday that could go a long way in determining the race for the East Division title. The Argonauts have lost back-to-back games, including a 41-24 setback to the Calgary Stampeders in Week 7, to drop below .500, but still hold a two-point lead over the Alouettes.

Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray suffered a shoulder injury in the third quarter against the Stampeders, and is considered day-to-day after it was initially feared that he was set to miss six weeks. Montreal hopes its week off erased the bitter memories of an epic collapse against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The Alouettes were seemingly in control with a 12-point lead in the final minute but gave up two touchdowns in the last 44 seconds to drop a 41-40 decision to the Blue Bombers, and hope to bounce back from a disappointing stretch that has seen them drop four of their last five games. "We certainly believe we could have come out with two maybe three more victories," Montreal coach Jacques Chapdelaine told reporters. "We just need to manage the game a little better both as players and coaches."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN, RDS

ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (3-4): Ray completed 15-of-26 passes for 139 yards and a touchdown before he was knocked out the of the game with a hard hit on his throwing shoulder. Cody Fajardo rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown in a relief role, but Jeff Mathews has received the bulk of the first-team reps in practice and looks to be the favourite to start if Ray is unable to play. The Argos signed defensive tackle Linden Gaydosh, who was the first overall pick in the 2013 CFL Draft, to bolster the defensive line and brought back Matt Black just a week after releasing the Toronto-born defensive back because of the arm injury suffered by starting safety Jermaine Gabriel.

ABOUT THE ALOUETTES (2-4): Defensive back Chris Ackie is out for the remainder of the season after tearing his triceps against Winnipeg while running back Tyrell Sutton is ready to return after missing the last two games with a calf injury. Darian Durant needs 62 passing yards to move past Tom Burgess (30,308) into 15th place on the CFL's all-time list and Nik Lewis is seven receptions away from overtaking Ben Cahoon (1,017) in second place. Montreal added offensive lineman Christopher Greaves and defensive tackle Davon Walls to the practice roster while releasing offensive lineman Kyler Kerbyson.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Montreal has split the last eight meetings with Toronto.

2. Argonauts K Lirim Hajrullahu leads the CFL with 24 field goals.

3. Toronto has allowed 79 points over its last two games.

PREDICTION: Alouettes 22, Argonauts 19