Hab player not disciplined by NHL for his stick work
The Ottawa Senators weren't about to yell, scream and pout.
Instead, they were prepared to rely on the NHL's department of player safety to do its job.
Senators coach D.J. Smith didn't like that a high stick by Montreal's Philip Danault to throat of Tim Stuetzle in Sunday's 3-2 overtime victory over the Canadiens went uncalled. And there was no further discipline from the NHL's head office in New York.
The cameras caught the incident and Stuetzle didn't look very happy on the bench, but clearly neither the officials nor the league felt it was worthy of a second look.
“The referees are doing the best job they can out there and it's a fast game,” Smith said. “It's the fastest game in the world and things happen really quick. Sometimes they don't see everything and if they see (penalties) they call them and I have no issues with the officiating this year.
“It's been good both ways and the nights we've had lots of penalties. we deserve them. The league had a safety commission that deals with all those things and they look at them. If they feel it's necessary they'll deal with it.”
The NHL's decision was that no further action was required.
CHABBY READY TO RETURN?
It looks like Thomas Chabot will get the green light to face the Habs.
After missing two straight games with undisclosed injury that had been bothering him for awhile, the Ottawa Senators' top blueliner was on the ice at Canadian Tire Centre for Monday's skate and is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday night to wrap up a two-game series with Montreal.
The 24-year-old Chabot, who plays an average of more than 26 minutes per night, has been listed as day to day since he didn't suit up last Thursday in a 7-3 loss to the Maple Leafs in Toronto. He took part in the pre-game skate Sunday but ended up sitting out the Senators' 3-2 overtime victory over Montreal.
Veteran defenceman Braydon Coburn took Chabot's spot against the Canadiens after Christian Wolanin struggled Thursday in Toronto. However, Coburn was returned to the taxi squad Monday, which likely means Chabot will get the go-ahead after the morning skate Tuesday.
“I haven't talked to the trainers to see how (Chabot) felt but he looked pretty good out there,” said Smith.
COBURN IMPRESSES
Smith was pleased with Coburn's effort Monday. “I thought he was really good. He boxed out and he kept the team from getting to the net, especially a team like Montreal that goes to the net as hard as they do,” Smith said. “He's a consummate professional. He never complains. He's a guy that won Stanley Cup and he's just 1,000 games now. He goes to work as if he was a 21-year-old kid with no complaints. If you're that kind of a good pro and you get that kind of opportunity by preparing yourself every day then you're ready. Some guys would come up with excuses and he just made sure he was ready.”