P.K. Subban avoids suspension for slash on Mark Stone
Montreal defenceman ejected from Game 1 win
Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban will not face a suspension for his slash on Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone during Montreal's playoff-opening win on Wednesday night.
NHL discipline chief Stephane Quintal confirms P.K. Subban not facing any more discipline for slash on Stone. Penalty last night sufficed.
—@Real_ESPNLeBrun
Subban received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for slashing Stone on his right wrist in front of Montreal's net midway through the second period of the Canadiens' 4-3 home victory.
Stone fell to the ice immediately and writhed in pain. He left the game and was examined by the Senators' medical staff, but later returned.
Stone's leaving the game was crucial because the NHL's rule 61.3 states that, in the case of a slash, "when injury occurs, a major penalty must be assessed."
The Ottawa rookie was indeed injured. The Senators announced Thursday that Stone has "a microfracture of his right wrist and his availability for the series is unknown at this time."
Injury update: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Sens?src=hash">#Sens</a> Mark Stone has suffered a microfracture of his right wrist & his availability for the series is unknown at this time.
—@Senators
Still, Subban was visibly upset upon hearing that Stone was back in the game.
Mark stone is back. PK's reaction: <a href="https://t.co/ZTkx13XNqT">https://t.co/ZTkx13XNqT</a>
—@JayGold85
After the game, Stone suggested Subban may have intentionally tried to injure him.
"Obviously it was a pretty big hack," Stone said. "It looked like he wanted to hurt me."
Senators coach Dave Cameron called for Subban to be suspended while hinting at potential retribution.
"I think it's quite simple — it's a vicious slash on an unprotected part of the body," he said. "You either do one of two things. I think it's an easy solution — you either suspend him, or when one of their best players gets slashed just give us five."