I never said Risto has no responsibility on the play. He got thrown out and a game. I'm just saying to the guy who thinks he should get 10 games to keep dreaming.
- sskkoo1

He'll get two minimum. Why? Because the player he hit was diagnosed with a concussion, and it's the end of the season (has been for awhile for your sorry team) and sitting a couple games won't hurt anything but his wallet. Hey, I don't make the rules and if you think none of that factors in, you're dumber than your entire argument has been.

BTW: What do Buffalo sports fans do when hockey season is over early? Seeing as how you must have a lot of experience with this conundrum, I assume you already have your non-sports schedule set long ahead of time, no? Got some Buffalo Bisons baseball season tickets then?

Problem with games like this is, the Pens will be playing hard for the Division, and teams like the Sabres will have nothing to lose by playing some dirty hockey and taking their two pounds of flesh before hitting the links.

Got the Flyers coming up this weekend who may be eliminated by the time the arrive and then Carolina and NJ before it's over.
- NJPensfan

Exactly. Take the 2 points against these meaningless teams and keep your eye on the prize. Just play. That severed them well last season as I recall.

HCMS basically said the same last night. With all the injuries they have youthful guys gaining confidence and playing hard and with enthusiasm. This will serve them well down the road. His words made me want to run thru a wall when I read it.

IMO they are primed to make another run. Get Tanger and a few other Dmen back and get a few regular season games in. Same with Rust, Hags, Geno. Then ramp it up. These bottom feeding, shyt storm teams can suck it

Exactly. Take the 2 points against these meaningless teams and keep your eye on the prize. Just play. That severed them well last season as I recall.

HCMS basically said the same last night. With all the injuries they have youthful guys gaining confidence and playing hard and with enthusiasm. This will serve them well down the road. His words made me want to run thru a wall when I read it.

IMO they are primed to make another run. Get Tanger and a few other Dmen back and get a few regular season games in. Same with Rust, Hags, Geno. Then ramp it up. These bottom feeding, shyt storm teams can suck it
- stowerkraut

I was listening to the post game and it sounds like both Geno and Rust could play tomorrow. Even if they don't they're really close.

I doubt many hockey players gonna view that as a dirty hit. Looks like a bit late but otherwise legit hit to me. No intend to hurt - and the reaction on the ice from all the other players clearly shows that...
- 21peter

Based on the way the NHL currently calls games, that is not a game misconduct.

Gustav Nyqvist Slashed a guy intentionally in the face and didn't get ejected.
Brad Marchand Slew foots a guy intentionally and get 2 min.

The arguments and differing opinions come from the League creating a void where we don't know what is what in terms of a major penalty.

He'll get two minimum. Why? Because the player he hit was diagnosed with a concussion, and it's the end of the season (has been for awhile for your sorry team) and sitting a couple games won't hurt anything but his wallet. Hey, I don't make the rules and if you think none of that factors in, you're dumber than your entire argument has been.

BTW: What do Buffalo sports fans do when hockey season is over early? Seeing as how you must have a lot of experience with this conundrum, I assume you already have your non-sports schedule set long ahead of time, no? Got some Buffalo Bisons baseball season tickets then?
- NJPensfan

We drink beer and yell at the clouds.

Problem with games like this is, the Pens will be playing hard for the Division, and teams like the Sabres will have nothing to lose by playing some dirty hockey and taking their two pounds of flesh before hitting the links.

Got the Flyers coming up this weekend who may be eliminated by the time the arrive and then Carolina and NJ before it's over.
- NJPensfan

So, based on one questionable hit the Sabres are now a dirty team?
Got it.

Should there be a suspension? Yes. How long? probably game, maybe two, if he doesnt have a previous history.

It's a bad hit no doubt but its so easy for us to look at in slow-mo and it seem so malicious but in reality it all happened in about 2 to 3 seconds.

The question to ask is if the pass had got through to Guentz would it still be a dirty hit? Yes, I think it would. It was a blindside that hit head first. The fact that he didnt even have puck makes it worse.

Another questions is could of he let up and not hit Guentz like that? Yes, he could of.

Should there be a suspension? Yes. How long? probably game, maybe two, if he doesnt have a previous history.

It's a bad hit no doubt but its so easy for us to look at in slow-mo and it seem so malicious but in reality it all happened in about 2 to 3 seconds.

The question to ask is if the pass had got through to Guentz would it still be a dirty hit? Yes, I think it would. It was a blindside that hit head first. The fact that he didnt even have puck makes it worse.

Another questions is could of he let up and not hit Guentz like that? Yes, he could of.
- MattStrat

I hate this argument. These plays happen in milliseconds. We have no idea what he saw or didn't see. Kronwall does this hit routinely. again what creates this chasm between the differences that people see in a dirty play is the way the NHL defines a dirty play.

Should he get suspended, I have no idea. Possibly a game, but it wasn't malicious intent like slashing a guy or slew-footing a guy is.

I hate this argument. These plays happen in milliseconds. We have no idea what he saw or didn't see. Kronwall does this hit routinely. again what creates this chasm between the differences that people see in a dirty play is the way the NHL defines a dirty play.

Should he get suspended, I have no idea. Possibly a game, but it wasn't malicious intent like slashing a guy or slew-footing a guy is.
- ImThatGuy

He was looking forward/right at at a player who was looking behind him for a pass and lined him up. You can totally see what he saw haha.

We drink beer and yell at the clouds.
- ImThatGuy

This made me laugh... probably too much

I was listening to the post game and it sounds like both Geno and Rust could play tomorrow. Even if they don't they're really close.
- madmike71

I don't want to see Rust on the top line, especially a rusty Rust. But I'm sure it'll happen

For me the reaction from the players on the ice says a lot really.

Yes, it could've been avoided... And NO, we would not have been ok with it

I really don't see this as a headshot, but I want the league to punish dirty players waaay harder than today!
- 21peter

After the game, the players had plenty to say, including saying they had a problem with the hit, said it was a dirty hit, that it shouldn't have been made. I get that, they have to stick up for their mate, but usually if they are ok with a hit, you get the standard...he was put in a bad spot, i didn't get a good look, it was just a freak thing that happened. Risto made his mind up he was going to hit no matter what.

Should there be a suspension? Yes. How long? probably game, maybe two, if he doesnt have a previous history.

It's a bad hit no doubt but its so easy for us to look at in slow-mo and it seem so malicious but in reality it all happened in about 2 to 3 seconds.

The question to ask is if the pass had got through to Guentz would it still be a dirty hit? Yes, I think it would. It was a blindside that hit head first. The fact that he didnt even have puck makes it worse.

Another questions is could of he let up and not hit Guentz like that? Yes, he could of.
- MattStrat

I don't think he could have let up at all, that puck was tipped like 1 second before he made contact. poop happens, unfortunate, but probably not suspension worthy.

Based on the way the NHL currently calls games, that is not a game misconduct.

Gustav Nyqvist Slashed a guy intentionally in the face and didn't get ejected.
Brad Marchand Slew foots a guy intentionally and get 2 min.

The arguments and differing opinions come from the League creating a void where we don't know what is what in terms of a major penalty.
- ImThatGuy

This has been the biggest problem with officials in the NHL for years. Crosby takes abuse every night that other players don't take. So, if you call the cup check on Crosby, does that open the door to calling every cheap shot he takes? Does Crosby do dirty stuff sometimes, of course he does. Does he do it as often as it happens to him, I don't see it. I wish there was a hard line that is drawn with certain penalties. If you turn your back to an in coming hit, the person that hits you gets game misconduct and the person that turns also get a game misconduct, no questions asked. That should help with all these boarding calls.

The biggest problem is, Ref X may call a hooking play one night, then the next night Ref X might see the exact same play and not call it. Its like some night they call everything and the next game they are like...ehhh, screw it. I know they call what the NHL tells them, but the lack of consistency is baffling. It drove me nuts as a player (not hockey, but basketball)

I don't think he could have let up at all, that puck was tipped like 1 second before he made contact. poop happens, unfortunate, but probably not suspension worthy.
- j.boyd919

If its not suspension worthy, is it dressing Sestito worthy the next time both teams play? According to every other fan in the league, Malkin needed to answer for his hit...so that means Risto has to answer right?

If its not suspension worthy, is it dressing Sestito worthy the next time both teams play? According to every other fan in the league, Malkin needed to answer for his hit...so that means Risto has to answer right?
- Thorny

No, and no. I didn't think Malkin needed to answer to his hit. I thought that was horse poop.

I only got to see a little of the 3rd last night but did see the JG hit. Not a good hit but not really suspension worthy imo. Dude got a game misconduct but I don't think there will be much more but you never know with the NHL.

Also didn't see Crosby's nut shot but that is never good regardless.

Watch the (frank)ing video. Jesus Christ.
- Wetbandit1

I guess player safety didn't watch the video either!!!