I dont think the Habs are any dirtier than the other teams. I dont think it stops dirty lumber play altogether...
It isn't stickwork so much as weasely things like slewfooting and slamming guys from behind, face-first into the end wall.
How about that ex-Saskatoon Blade, Mike Green? He's tied with the NHL record for consecutive games in which a defenceman has scored a goal. I actually now root for the Washington Capitals when their games are televised.
His old Blades teammate, Devin Setogouchi, is doing OK scoring with San José now, too.