Pacioretty avoids Discipline

Montreal Canadians forward Max Pacioretty has avoided any supplementary discipline for his hit Saturday night on New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

On Sunday Pacioretty had a telephone hearing with the NHL’s director of player safety Brendan Shanahan, and it was determined no further action was necessary.

The incident in question took place at 7:20 of the second period when McDonagh was hit into the glass face first by the Canadians forward.  Pacioretty received a minor penalty for boarding on the play while  McDonagh left with a bloodied mouth from the hit and did not return.

New York’s volatile head coach John Tortorella was obviously upset about the play (not to mention that the Rangers lost the game 3-0), and started his post-game press conference with a question for reporters.

“Can I ask the first question? How high did Pacioretty jump on his hit? Can anyone tell me?” Tortorella said. “I’m asking you guys. Over/under?”

The shutout at the hands of the Canadians put the Rangers record at 0-2-1 in the last three games with both losses coming against the Montreal.

Adding to the Rangers coaches’ frustrations they also lost their other top-pair defenseman Dan Girardi to injury.

Pacioretty was disciplined last season by the league, having been suspended three games for a hit to the head of Penguins’ Kris Letang.

Pacioretty was also involved in an incident with Toronto forward Mikhail Grabovski two weeks ago, where he claimed the Leaf bit his right forearm during a scrum.  Grabovski was not disciplined following a hearing with the league.

Carey Price made 17 saves for his second shutout of the season in the Montreal win.

The Eastern Conference leading Canadians will travel to Ottawa on Monday for a game against the Senators and to Toronto on Wednesday to face the Maple Leafs in a couple of important inner conference games.