Andrew Shaw got a match penalty for slewfooting in first game back from suspension

The Montreal Canadiens were happy that Andrew Shaw scored in his regular season debut, but they’ll be none too pleased with his slewfoot and match penalty to end the game.

Andrew Shaw has had two debuts with the Montreal Canadiens. Both have ended poorly.

His first debut, which came in the pre-season, saw Shaw land himself in hot water for a hit from behind on Washington Capitals defenseman Connor Hobbs. The end result was a three-game suspension that had Shaw sitting out the remainder of the Canadiens’ exhibition schedule. 

But with the regular season set to go, Shaw was ready for his second debut, which came Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. What will make the Canadiens and their faithful happy is that Shaw found the score sheet, netting his first goal as a Hab midway through the third period. What won’t please them as much, though, is that Shaw again ended his night with a borderline play.

In the final moments of the Canadiens’ 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres Thursday, Shaw found himself on the ice in Montreal’s defensive zone killing a penalty. As the Sabres attacked, the puck wound up heading back to the blueline and as Shaw engaged with Buffalo center Johan Larsson, Shaw slipped his leg behind Larsson and took his feet out from under him:

While it may not have looked like much, it was enough to earn Shaw a match penalty from the referees and while there’s likely not going to be supplemental discipline heading his way, it’s still a play that was no doubt looked at by the Department of Player Safety and one that will ensure Shaw stays on their radar for the remainder of the season.

In the off chance that Shaw does find himself suspended, he’ll be no stranger to the process. As mentioned, he’s coming off of a three-game ban in the pre-season and has been suspended twice prior, in addition to being slapped with a fine for embellishment.

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