Canadiens' Brandon Prust suspended for breaking Derek Stepan's jaw

By Allan Muir

Things just got bad for Brandon Prust. And worse for the New York Rangers.

New York coach Alain Vigneault says center Derek Stepan required surgery to repair a broken jaw suffered as a result of the high hit delivered last night by the Canadiens' rugged forward.

"Step, right now at this time is probably getting operated on. He broke his jaw yesterday," Vigneault said on Friday afternoon. "We'll have an idea of the time frame tomorrow. That's stuff that happens in a game that you have to deal with and that's what we're trying to do."

Prust was not penalized on the play, but he wound up with a two-game suspension for interference.

Stepan returned to action minutes after leaving the ice to receive treatment and clocked in with a couple of feisty shifts, but he now looks questionable at best for Game 4 on Sunday night at Madison Square Garden.