Canadiens, Senators turn up heat for Game 2

The Canadiens and Senators turn up the heat in a hurry.

Montreal's 4-3 victory in Game 1 of the first-round series Wednesday night — a game that saw Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban ejected for slashing and injuring Ottawa's Mark Stone — has set the tone for a physical, testy series between the rivals that resumes with Game 2 on Friday night (CBC, CBCSports.ca, 7 p.m. ET).

''The intensity level is there,'' said Brendan Gallagher after Montreal's morning skate Thursday. ''Each series takes on its own personality. Whatever you're going to get, you just go in and you have to be ready to compete hard.

''That's what their side is doing and that's what our side is doing.''

The Canadiens are anticipating more grit and robustness from the Sens in what has already been a hard-hitting matchup. Ottawa had 44 hits to Montreal's 42 in the series opener.

Clarke MacArthur led the visiting team with seven hits, while Montreal's Devante Smith-Pelly and Alexei Emelin each had six.

Stone skates

And all that physical play came before the return of Ottawa tough guy Chris Neil, who's no stranger to mixing it up. Neil could replace the injured Stone, who suffered a right wrist microfracture and is questionable for the rest of the series.

Stone took part in Friday's morning skate.

He reportedly did not look comfortable, but has not been counted out. Coach Dave Cameron said it will be a game-time decision.

The 215-pound Neil, who practised on the fourth line for Ottawa on Thursday, has not played since fracturing his thumb Feb. 14.

''Having a guy like Neil out there kind of helps mediate the cheap shots,'' said defenceman Marc Methot, referring to Subban's second-period slash on Stone. ''He knows his role and he's able to play both ways too. Having him out there will certainly help.''

Cameron suggested his team's smart physical play would get the Senators back in the series.

''I hope we're physical on P.K., on Markov, on all their players,'' Cameron said. ''We're not going to sit back. But I'd be disappointed if my team starts chasing any one player around and we lose the series because we couldn't deal with an incident.''

Pacioretty still iffy, Parenteau out

Montreal's Max Pacioretty has not been cleared to play by team doctors. He's questionable for Game 2.

"Max is feeling really good, but I can't confirm if he'll play tonight or on Sunday." Montreal coach Michel Therrien said after Friday's morning skate.

P.A. Parenteau, who has an upper-body injury sustained in Game 1, will not play in Game 2, Therrien said.

After Game 2, the teams head to Ottawa for the following two games.

Habs want more discipline

The goal for the Canadiens will be to keep their tempers in check and stay out of the penalty box as the series develops.

In Game 1, Montreal's lack of discipline — particularly Subban's — proved costly. Ottawa scored twice on Subban's 5-minute slashing major to tie it at 3. The Sens finished 2 for 5 with the man advantage.

''You have to keep a cooler head,'' Montreal forward Brandon Prust said. ''You don't want to get too frustrated. You have to stick with your game plan. Don't let your emotions get the best of you because that's when you can take some dumb penalties.''

Added Subban: ''My focus is to try to lead by example here and the first thing is to be more disciplined starting next game. That's it, that's all.''