Posted for your consideration.
Allah.
First a caveat - I’m a Caps fan.
Regarding Letang, he did a similar move against the Caps against Beagle. Beagle pushed him back, knocking his helment off. He’s then challenged to fight (I think we know how poorly that went for Beagle) for daring to touch a Penguins “skill” players. I’m all for protecting your stars from cheap shots but when they mix it up like that they shouldn’t hide behind their enforcers. Glad to see the two games on this one.
Note at that point Beagle had already been whistled for roughing. I don’t envy the players or the refs for having to make decisions at the speed of play but there is a line between defending a teammate and taking over the refs job that also takes hockey into the area of thuggery.
That’s part of what’s frustrating me the most about the whole fighting and headshots debate. Players insist you need to allow this crap to happen because the players have to police themselves.
Um. No. The refs have to police the players. They are the REFEREES. It’s their job to ensure that the game is played within the rules, but they don’t. Thing is, they let a slash and a hook and a tripping call slide here and there and then the behaviour escalates until either one or two penalties are called and/or a fight or a nasty hit takes place and/or an injury occurs. Then the league turns a blind eye to it all (well, I’ll give Shanny credit for making an effort, but the biggest change needs to come from the ice itself). Call the trivial shit and you don’t get to the point of having the big stuff happen, you know? If it means a Boston-Flyers game is played 60 minutes at 3 on 3 with only 6 guys on each bench, so be it.
I am relatively new to hockey. Once I’ve seen the fight work the way its defenders say it should work. It was a game that was pretty rough, lots of banging. Then there was a fight and it settled into more of a test of hockey skills (skating, passing, shooting).
The old refrain that the “refs should let the players decide” doesn’t ring with me. The refs are there to make sure someone wins the game according to the rules.
I know that the rough play and fights are what draw a lot of people but I like to see the skill. I’ve been known to cheer an opposing goaltender for a great save.
Maybe I’m not a “true fan” but hockey is something I watch for entertainment and to see skillful people perform. It doesn’t really reflect on me or my city if those people paid to move here do well or not. I like it when the home team wins but win or lose I’m over it by the time I get back home.
Interesting that Ondrej Pavelec is going to start in back to back games for the Jets tonight. Is Chris Mason hurt?
That wasn’t Letang – that was Arron Asham. Unless you’re talking about Beagle’s initial hit on Letang. And Asham’s actions were common in hockey – he’s an enforcer. That’s what he does – protect his teammates.
Besides, Asham’s actions after the fight were what caused so much controversy. He appologized, the Capitals – with the exception of Ovechkin – accepted it, and it was over and done with. (Ovechkin, btw, has no room to talk. The man isn’t exactly a candidate for the Lady Byng!)
Look, I don’t think Kris Letang is an angel. I just wouldn’t consider him someone known as a dirty player. Your mileage may vary. shrugs I’m not arguing that his suspension was earned.
In other news, Brooks Orpik is going to be back tonight! Woohoo!!!
sob
I’m so sorry. Wait…no I’m not! 
It’s just that they are so…so…so terribly BAD this year. No jump, no passion, no effort, nothing. I give a ton of credit to Darche, Pacioretty, Diaz and Desharnais - and Price can only do so much - who are putting in more than their share of work, but the top guys don’t seem to even give a fuck. Travis fucking MOEN has more goals (2!) than the supposed top scorers do. Fans are calling for the coach to be fired and other drastic measures, most of which would be a terrible idea, though I don’t particularly like Jacques Martin’s coaching style. The impression is that Kirk Muller was much more valuable than previously thought.
It’s depressing hockey.
Also, the Arron Asham goal was a bad call by the refs: the man is 5’11" and even with knees slightly bent but an upright torso, there’s no way that something hit at shoulder height is below the crossbar unless his head happens to be nearly 2 feet long, which would be freaky and weird and I’m pretty sure everyone would have noticed it. What’s the point of a video review if the reviewers can’t understand basic dimensions? Not that it really matters - the Habs had dug their own grave by that point, but it’s still annoying. At the least, it gave my husband and I a ton of laughs over the idea of Freaky Bighead Asham!
You missed my point. I was complaining about how enforcers are being used in the NHL and your response was “that’s what enforcers do”.
Is this the East Coast thread or the Penguins injury update thread? Oh that’s the same thing. 
Let’s go to the West and at the same time pretend that Vancouver doesn’t exist (it’s better that we pretend they don’t have a team - or fans)
Anyone see how much of a star Kopitar is becoming?
Quick has 2 straight shutouts.
Considering the top player in the league is on our team and he’s been out for almost a year, yeah, I’d say that’s a pretty big thing!
BTW, that was really, REALLY classless the way Canucks fans were actually booing Luongo. When Fleury was having trouble last season, yeah, he got PLENTY of shit off the ice. But they put Johnson in for a few games, then when Fleury came back, instead of booing him, the crowd started chanting his name. That’s how you support your team. Booing your own team is sick. (Well, unless you’re a Flyers fan – then it’s manditory.)
They had to create a new team to find someone the Senators could beat.
Is there something going on in Canada today? There are two afternoon games scheduled in Calgary and Vancouver. I know in the US, there are often afternoon games if the arena shares space with an NBA team, but that is not the case in Vancouver or Calgary.
Ondrej Pavelec is pulled in the first few minutes of the Jets/Hurricanes game? They were one bad goal and one questionable one. No way do I pull a starting goalie in the first period of a home game in October.
It looks like the Phil Kessel that the Leafs traded for finally decided to show up this year. Eight fucking goals and it looks like he finally understands that it is up to him to play, not his linemates.
Also, are Cheetah Power Surge commercials the worst in TV history, or what?
Yes.
They were funny when Ben Johnson was pitching Cheetah. Get it? Cheetah?
He’s only 24. How much pressure did you have as a 22 and 23 year old?
Kessel will be a a fine NHL player. I’m still not sure that he was worth 2 first rounders though.
Glad to see the win over the Habs tonight. Two teams heading in different directions by the looks of it.
I hate the Leafs, as you know, but I thought the Kessel deal was a good trade at the time and I still do.
Look at it this way; Kessel was only 22 and coming off a 36-goal season he put up as a 21-year old. He was a decent player in the NHL before that, too.
Now suppose you’re drafting for an NHL team, and I tell you “Here’s a 21-year-old. I absolutely guarantee you - it is not a matter of potential, it is absolute fact - that this kid is a 30-goal scorer in the NHL right now. It’s not a maybe, it’s a certainty. And he might get better, from that baseline.”
Would you spend your draft pick on that guy? I sure would. I’d happily give up two draft picks for a pick of that quality. Sure, some draft picks have the POTENTIAL to become stars, but Burke acquired a 22-year-old who he absolutely knew was an NHL sniper. There was no chance Kessel was going to turn out to be a guy who could dominate the AHL or college hockey but lack some skill necessary for the NHL; he was already an NHL player.
You missed the point of the joke and in fact highlighted it.
Anyway, Quick now with 3 straight shutouts.
Dallas lost but looked very solid.