Another day...another suspension

Before I start, let me be clear that I love the hostility and tension that seems to exist in most of the first round play - off match - ups. With the exception of the Florida/NJ and SJ/STL series, each of the other six have been witness to old time hockey which while some dislike, I thoroughly enjoy.

Now, onto last night. At the conclusion of the Bruins 4 - 3 victory over the Capitals, Caps forward Nicklas Backstrom attempted to rearrange the teeth of Boston's Rich Peverely with a vicious cross - check to the mouth. Backstrom was assessed a match penalty which carries an automatic game suspension. While I don't care for the cheap shot, it gets better. This morning Caps Head Coach Dale Hunter commented that he was pretty sure the league would overrule the match penalty and not force Backstrom to miss Game Four because he said Backstrom was merely defending himself from Peverley who already had his stick raised. Watch the highlight; the only time Peverley's stick is raised is when he realizes what is about to take place. He did nothing visibly to instigate this situation. In saying that I think Dale Hunter is out to lunch; not only should the league uphold the match penalty, but Backstrom should be suspended for more than one single game. And furthermore, Hunter felt that Backstrom's head has been targeted by the Bruins. This may or may not be the case but who is Dale Hunter to question the antics of other players? Certainly not the same Dale Hunter who recieved a 25 game suspension for the cheapest of cheap shots on the Islanders Pierre Turgeon in the 1993 playoff's. That year after Turgeon scored a game, and series clinching goal late in Game Six of the Islanders and Capitals Patrick Division playoff series, Hunter checked a completely unprepared Turgeon into the boards. Turgeon seperated his shoulder and missed the remainder of the Isle's run to the Conference Final. Past record alone tells me Dale Hunter is one of the last guys I would take any advice from in terms of supplemental discipline.

Brendan Shanahan continues to mystify me...first he gives Zenon Konopka a fine for the same amount given to Shea Weber for 'turnbuckling' Henrik Zetterberg and then today he gives the Blackhawks Andrew Shaw a three game ban for his 'hit' on Mike Smith of the Coyotes on Saturday night. That was not a hit, if anything it was incidental contact that came about as a result of Shaw hustling his butt in after a loose puck. BRUTAL call on Shanahan's part. While Shaw isn't Toews or Keith or Kane, it is still a call that will have some impact on the Blackhawks.

And that sets up tonight...and here is what will transpire. The Predators, who I would love to see take a two game lead home against Detroit won't get it done and will return home with if nothing else, having regained home ice, the Flyers dust off the Penguins in a game that gets ugly in the third as Sidney Crybaby and those not so lovable losers from Pittsburgh realize they are done, and in a great game in New Jersey the Panthers steal on OT victory from the Devils.

Later.....