P.K. Subban

The Montreal Canadiens are 47 games into the 2011-12 NHL season and their record has suffered drastically. With a 17-21-9 record and currently sitting 12th in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the last place Carolina Hurricanes (17-24-8), the team is on pace for their worst season since the 2002-03 NHL season.

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand and Montreal Canadiens defenseman PK Subban tried to fight twice on Thursday night but the officials broke it up each time, and on the third time they finally got to dance.

The fans wanted the two young stars to fight, and they got their wish.

Marchand explained after the game what led to the fight:

Dear Winnipeg Jets:

I'm writing you this letter because I think we need to talk about some things before your game with the Montreal Canadiens.  Your first-ever game back in the NHL, I might add. 

These are some things that aren't very easy to say, but they need to be said anyway.

So here goes. 

Once the postseason begins, some youngsters hit a playoff wall, while others step up and play like superstars. Some players crumble under the pressure and need the entire offseason to recover their confidence. Others reach new heights and get fast tracked to stardom seemingly overnight.

Either way, the playoffs offer a unique opportunity to gain invaluable experience and accelerate development.

When Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban arrived on the scene in the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs, his presence was instantly felt.

Immediately there was an aura surrounding Subban that few NHL players possess, never mind a rookie.

After a few nervous moments for Habs fans in recent weeks, the Montreal Canadiens were finally able to clinch a playoff spot last night.

With playoffs just two weeks away, teams should be starting to wonder what roles their rookies are capable of playing in these intense games. Likewise, rookies should understand that their confidence will be challenged, and they will be expected to adjust their style in order to be able to help their team in the playoffs.

With their dominating performance over the Minnesota Wild this past Sunday, the Montreal Canadiens have all but assured themselves a birth in the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs. With a comfortable 11 point cushion over the 9th place Buffalo Sabres, the team can start looking ahead to the second season and begin working on following up last year's thrilling run to the conference finals.

Wow, what a game! I guess this makes up for the solid drubbing the Habs took at the hands of the Rangers on Friday, eh?

Were you as surprised as I was? Surprised that the Montreal Canadiens, who were missing eight regulars, rolled into Minnesota and over the Wild with an 8-1 trouncing?

It seems that every two or three games, we get to hear from one jilted player or another bemoaning the behaviour of PK Subban, Montreal’s pugnacious rookie defenseman.  We hear how he’s disliked, how he doesn’t respect the game or his elders and how he’d better watch his back.