3 scenarios facing P.K. Subban after slash

The first round series between the Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators is about to get very interesting.

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The slash heard round the world has quickly become the early story of the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

During Wednesday’s Game 1 of the first round series between Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators, Montreal star defenseman P.K. Subban hit Senators rookie winger Mark Stone with a brutal slash to the wrist while Stone was nowhere near the puck. That got Subban a game misconduct penalty much to his disdain, although he was able to avoid further discipline.

The NHL rulebook states that an injury on a slashing penalty results in an automatic game misconduct, so Subban wasn’t too happy when Stone was able to return to the game. As it turns out, Stone suffered a microfracture in his wrist and his availability for the rest of the series is uncertain.

As such, everything worked out nicely for the Canadiens, who were able to hold on for a 4-3 win while missing Subban for much of the contest and leading scorer Max Pacioretty for all of it. Meanwhile, Ottawa could be without one of its hottest players in Stone, who scored 26 goals in the regular season.

All eyes will be on Subban during Friday’s Game 2 and beyond.

Subban gets targeted himself

This scenario is just about guaranteed to happen. An already chippy series between the two teams is about to get even more physical.

As you would expect, the Senators have already hinted that there could be some measure of retaliation. Subban is going to be public enemy No. 1 on the Ottawa bench and he knows it.

Subban is a tremendously talented and tough defenseman, so he could potentially be equipped to handle the situation. The search for revenge could have a negative impact on the Senators, as they will need to be disciplined to beat the ultra-talented Canadiens.

The question isn’t if there will be some extra physicality, but how far it will go. Canadiens goalie Carey Price could find himself targeted again after suffering a controversial injury in a physical series against the New York Rangers last season.

Frustration boils over

Of course, Subban has let his emotions get the best of him multiple times before and was among the league leaders in minor penalties committed. An emotional Game 1 plus the fact that he now has a price tag on his head could spell disaster for Subban and Montreal.

Subban was already frustrated before the brutal slash, high sticking an Ottawa player in the face moments earlier. With all the attention on Subban now, he would be risking a suspension with more extracurricular activity.

Given Subban’s style of play, that’s not totally out of the question. The Canadiens can’t afford to have both Subban and Pacioretty out against red-hot Andrew Hammond and the Senators.

Subban uses the controversy as motivation

On the other side of the equation, Subban has exactly the kind of mentality that could allow him to use the controversy as extra motivation and go on a goal-scoring tear.

While it appears the referees made the right call o the slash, Subban obviously didn’t think so. If he can channel that emotion into positive play, Subban is the type of talent that can take over a series.

Subban did exactly that during the first few games of Montreal’s classic series against the Boston Bruins last season, scoring two goals in game one. No matter what scenario happens with Subban, this looks like the most entertaining series moving forward.

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