Habster:

If the start of the first round in the OHL playoffs tell us anything, it’s that Canadiens prospects P.K. Subban and Yannick Weber are clutch players who thrive under pressure situations.

Both players have started off quickly with their respective teams (Belville Bulls and Kitchener Rangers) and are supplying much needed offence from the backend. Subban has 4 points (G-2 A-2) in two games for the Bulls who are tied 1-1 in their series with the Peterborough Petes while Weber has 2 points (G-2) with the Rangers who lead their series 1-0 against the Plymouth Whalers.

There shouldn’t be any surprise with the way they’ve played all season and in the playoffs. Both players had very good OHL seasons and are just continuing their fine play into the playoffs. Subban draft day value improved substantially with his strong playoff performance last year (GP-15 G-5 A-8 +11) while Weber had a decent 2007 OHL playoffs as well (GP-9 G-3 A-6 -10) before the Rangers were eliminated in the second round.

Not to be out done by their OHL counterparts, Canadiens prospects Ben Maxwell and Ryan White have started their 2008 WHL playoffs with the same success. The recently signed Ben Maxwell scored two goals for the Kootenay Ice who cruised to a 5-2 win against the Medicine Hat Tigers in their opening game of the first round. Ryan White also had a solid performance in his opening game against the Moose Jaw Warriors with a goal and an assist to help the Calgary Hitmen to a 5-1 win.

Trevor Timmins must be smiling from ear to ear as he watches these bright prospects play.