Eskimos' Ricky Ray passed for 302 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-17 win over Montreal in the regular-season finale for both teams. (Ryan Remiorz/Canadian Press)

Remember when former Montreal Alouettes coach Don Matthews gambled in the 2003 Grey Cup by starting two rookie cornerbacks in D.J. Johnson and Brandon Williams, only to have it backfire in a 34-22 loss to Edmonton?

Don't bet on it happening again, Eskimos fans, in Saturday's Canadian Football League East final at Montreal's Olympic Stadium (1 p.m. ET).

Alouettes coach Marc Trestman doesn't want to risk ending his rookie CFL season in that fashion with the city of Montreal hosting the 96th Grey Cup on Nov. 23.

However, such a move might be tempting, given the inconsistent play this season by some in the team's defensive secondary.

The Montreal defence was shredded for 400 yards through the air on four occasions during the regular campaign, including Oct. 31 in a 37-14 loss at Edmonton.

Eskimos starting quarterback Ricky Ray tossed for 302 yards and two touchdowns before Jason Maas took over and racked up 173 passing yards on 12-of-16 passing.

But in fairness to the Alouettes, they played without injured linebacker Reggie Hunt and cornerback Mark Estelle, who were nursing shoulder injuries, while safety Étienne Boulay played out of position.

"They had [first-place in the East] clinched for a while there; they played a lot of different guys in the secondary," Eskimos offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach Rick Worman told reporters Wednesday.

"These are the playoffs. They're going to play their No. 1 guys."

Cornerback Davis Sanchez is expected to suit up for Montreal despite suffering from the flu this week, while Matthieu Proulx will start at safety in place of Boulay, who is nursing an ankle injury.

The Alouettes were second in fewest points allowed (443) but yielded 318.2 yards a start through the air this season, second-worst behind Hamilton's 325.3. But the defence should be fired up as none of its members were named to the CFL's all-star team on Wednesday.

"We're going to anticipate a lot of different things with movement on their back end," said Worman. "Their style is a bend-don't-break defence. We're going to have to be efficient with the ball."

Enter Ray, who completed 27 of 37 passes for 303 yards in last week's 29-21 win over Winnipeg in the East semifinal. He led all pivots with 5,663 passing yards this season, but had seven fumbles in the final six regular-season games.

Talk has receivers coach going to Bombers

Edmonton, which failed to qualify for the playoffs in 2006 and '07, is seeking a fifth consecutive road win in the post-season and third win overall in a row, last achieved in 2005 (West semifinal, final and Grey Cup).

"Our story so far this season is not following through after a big win and taking the next step," Ray said. "If we don't take the next step now, then we go home."

While Edmonton can ill afford any distractions, talk this week had receivers coach Mike Kelly being the favourite to succeed former Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Doug Berry, which has upset Eskimos management, according to Sun Media.

Edmonton would be best to focus on Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo if it wants to make a second Grey Cup appearance in five years.

The 15-year CFLer, though, might be rusty at the start of Saturday's contest after being rested for the past three weeks. The East nominee for most outstanding player, Calvillo finished this season with 5,633 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, five shy of Doug Flutie's single-season record.

In front of him is an experienced offensive line that gave up a league-low 22 quarterback sacks in 2008.

"It all starts up front," said left tackle Josh Bourke, one of four Montreal offensive linemen named an East all-star in 2008. "Coach Trestman preaches that all the time. If our offensive line is protecting [Calvillo] and he's got time to throw, then the odds are we'll have a good game."

Alouettes kicker Damon Duval also will be playing for the first time in three weeks after passing a kidney stone on Oct. 31, while Eskimos fullback Mathieu Bertrand (leg) is expected to be a game-time decision.