All Habs News – March 21, 2011

Date with Discipline: Former Canadiens prospect Ryan McDonagh, now a member of the New York Rangers received an elbow to the head by Pittsburgh’s Matt Cooke. Opinion around the league is that Cooke will likely be suspended for the remainder of the regular season and perhaps more. Given the inconsistency of the NHL’s disciplinarians, it’s anyone’s guess.

“I don’t think you can talk about eliminating headshots as an organization and not expect that to be examined. It looks to be contact right to the head. The league will look at that at treat it as such.”– Penguins coach Dan Bylsma

That’s about as honest as it comes from an aggressor’s own coach.

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Wild Embarrassed: Full marks to the Canadiens for the win on Sunday but they were facing a Minnesota team that didn’t put up much of a fight after the Habs got an early lead.  After the game Wild players and coaches were upset.  It was the most lopsided defeat in franchise history and eight goals was the most ever allowed at home.

Wild captain Mikko Koivu was not happy with the media.

“We can’t worry what people write about us or talk about us. It’s a matter of these guys in the room. As long as we believe in each other, that’s all that matters. It’s not up to us what you guys write or people talk about.”

Wild shamed on home ice by the Montreal Canadiens

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P.K. on and off the ice: Fans were tossing hats in the xCel Energy Center for P.K. Subban after the Canadiens rookie picked up his first career hat trick. Even Carey Price got into to the act lobbing his Canadiens Heritage touque on the ice from his position on the backup goaltender’s stool.

Subban now has 11 goals which is tops among rookie defensemen.  Subban is inching closer to Guy Lapointe’s record for goals by a Canadiens rookie defenseman — 15.  The last hat trick by a Habs rearguard was in 2008 by Sheldon Souray.

Subban was sporting a fashionable chapeau of his own after the game. His teammates who were glowing in their comments towards Subban in the post-game scrums weren’t as complimentary in his choice of ties.

Mike Cammalleri tweeted “Boys didn’t Luke (sic) his tie though.” along with photo proof.

(Photos by Mike Cammalleri)