For a second game in a row, the Canadiens will be facing a quality team looking to exact some revenge for a close loss, and the New York Rangers may be looking to avenge a little more than that.

The Canadiens walked into their building Tuesday night and handed the Rangers a 2-1 loss, but it was an incident involving P.K. Subban clearly slew footing Brandon Dubinsky in the third period of that one which still had the Blueshirts talking Saturday morning.

Coach John Tortorella referred to it as a "dirty play" and a "cheap shot," something he said the NHL needs to address.

You can't blame him for being a little hot, seeing as Alexandre Burrows also got away with a spear to the family jewels of defenceman Marc Staal in New York's 1-0 win over the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

It's yet another example of Subban getting his opponents riled up, a trend that is starting to define him as a player.

No 'Sean Avery'

"I'm not an agitator, I'm not Sean Avery," Subban insisted Saturday, facing the New York media. "If I wanted to be an agitator, I'd make sure I had that reputation."

Then, in a moment of sincerity that proved Subban simply can't help himself when it comes to exuding confidence that borders on cockiness, the rookie let this one fly.

"Maybe they feel that way because they play against me and they don't have success against me," he said matter-of-factly. "Maybe that's the agitator part."

Of course, Subban must know full well that what he did against Dubinsky is against the rules, and he's lucky to have escaped a suspension, let alone a penalty call in the game despite a referee standing no more than five feet away.

His defence partner Hal Gill, who must be getting sick of answering questions about Subban every single day, came to the defence of the rookie.

"He talks a little bit, but I haven't seen him do anything that's disrespectful to the game," he said. "He's just a different player, he's an energizing player."

Return of Cammalleri

The Canadiens will welcome Mike Cammalleri back into the lineup after missing two games with strep throat. Max Pacioretty said he's also good to go after pushing it a little extra during the morning skate to see if he's over the virus he caught, but Jacques Martin said he'll be a game-time decision.

Tonight will be the first opportunity for Canadiens fans to see Ryan McDonagh in action up close. The former 12th overall pick that was used to acquire Scott Gomez and Tom Pyatt downplayed his Bell Centre debut, saying he never even signed a contract with the Canadiens, let alone played with them.

Tortorella said he's been impressed with McDonagh's progression over the last five games.

"He's gotten better each game," Tortorella said. "I liked how he did against Vancouver as far as his mindset. That was a good team we were playing, but he wasn't tentative and he did a good job controlling his gaps, something that will be important tonight."

The goaltending match-up features Carey Price against Henrik Lundqvist in a battle of All-Stars. Lundqvist, however, hasn't played like one in our fair city, putting up a 3-2-2 record, 4.65 GAA and .845 save percentage at the Bell Centre since the start of the 2006-07 season.

Not too sure what the Canadiens or Rangers line combinations will be seeing as both teams had an optional skate and didn't show a whole lot.