After the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 Thursday night at the Bell Centre, all of the headlines should have been about Alex Galchenyuk as he scored two goals to continue his torrent streak. However with just a few minutes left in the game, hockey and the match took a backseat as P.K. Subban was carried off on a spinal board when his neck snapped back after incidental contact with Alexei Emelin:
P.K. Subban appears to give a thumbs up as he is stretchered off the ice in Montreal. Get well soon, @PKSubban1.https://t.co/E6nWZHDcIl
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 11, 2016
It was a scary moment for all. For Subban who has never missed an NHL game due to injury. For Emelin who looked on in disbelief. For Max Pacioretty who relived his own neck injury and trauma as the captain stayed by Subban’s side. For the rest of Canadiens, coaching staff as well as the Sabres. For the Bell Centre faithful and thousands watching on television who held their breaths as they hoped for the best. That Subban did not lose consciousness was a positive, as was his instinct to throw his gloves as he fell to the ice. However, neck injuries are incredibly serious and it was necessary to stabilize Subban and use the spinal board to prevent further trauma. By the time of head coach Michel Therrien’s press conference, it was announced that Subban had feeling and motion in all of his extremities. He was released from the hospital late last night and suffered a non-serious neck injury.
After comprehensive testing, P.K. Subban was released from the Montreal General Hospital late last night.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 11, 2016
He suffered a non-serious neck injury.
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 11, 2016
Feeling good, and feeling the love. Thanks for all the support!!
— P.K. Subban (@PKSubban1) March 11, 2016
Here are some postgame comments regarding Subban from Pacioretty and Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma that sum up the feeling from the ice:
"I’ve been in that position before and it brings back a lot of tough memories. It was really hard to watch." - Max Pacioretty on Subban
— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) March 11, 2016
#Habs Pacioretty on seeing Subban after collision: "It's really tough to play after you see something like that but things seem optimistic."
— John Lu (@JohnLuTSNMtl) March 11, 2016
#Habs Pacioretty: "It's ok to be emotional about this. Seeing him down on the ice like that, the building like that, it really upset me."
— Chantal (@pucksnlife) March 11, 2016
Bylsma on Subban injury: "You’re trying to win a hockey game but you almost feel like you don’t want to keep playing at that point in time."
— Heather Engel (@engelheather) March 11, 2016
Bylsma: "There’s a couple of minutes left in the game but you’re really concerned for the athlete & the person. The game’s an afterthought."
— Heather Engel (@engelheather) March 11, 2016
There has been talk in Montreal over the last couple of weeks over a divided dressing room and friction between Pacioretty and Subban. While I have no doubt that they don’t always agree on everything, I also have no doubt that they have each others backs. They both bleed bleu-blanc et rouge. It was obviously very emotional for Pacioretty to see Subban laying on the ice like that and I am sure he will be there for Subban as he recovers, not just as a captain and teammate but as a friend.
The injuries are seemingly never-ending for the Canadiens this season. At this point one almost wants to default the rest of the season so as to prevent further injuries. However, there are bright spots for the Canadiens these last few games and none shines brighter than the play of Alex Galchenyuk. His play as of late has been other-worldly. The last time those words were used to describe a Canadiens player was last year with Carey Price. Of course Price played at that level for an entire season. Galchenyuk has been for a stretch of games. His pace of goals, 11 in his last 8 games with a shooting percentage of 44% (11 goals on 25 shots during that span). His confidence it at all time high and Galchenyuk is not only shooting more during his streak but his accuracy has greatly improved and he is finding ways to get open. A commentator in my previous blog asked if I thought Galchenyuk’s goals would come at the expense of Brendan Gallagher had he not gotten injured. I honestly don’t think so. Gallagher’s goals come from his office of a foot outside the crease. He would be there to deflect or cash in on the rebound. Gallagher is a different type of goal scorer. If anyone’s goal totals are being affected it is that of Pacioretty’s. On the flip side, he is still getting points but now he is setting up Galchenyuk. In the three games together Pacioretty has 1 goal and 4 assists but I can practically guarantee that he simply cares about winning and won’t let his ego get in the way. The other main benefactor is Sven Andrighetto who has not looked out of place these past couple of games on the top line, contributing 3 assists, two of which were primary perfect passes to Galchenyuk.
Michael McCarron continues to impress and demonstrate that he should be with the Canadiens full-time in 2016-2017. His fore-check eventually led to Torrey Mitchell's winning goal. Mark Barberio had two assists on the night as he used his accurate shot to create chances. I do think that Victor Bartley has struggled a bit and the Canadiens will be that much stronger once Nathan Beaulieu is able to return to the lineup, especially as the Canadiens will need someone capable of playing big minutes.
The Canadiens practice off-ice this morning and it was announced that Subban will miss Saturday’s game vs. the Minnesota Wild. A defenceman and forward will be called up from then St. John’s Ice Caps.
Cheers & follow along! Follow @Jenbcutler