That's the entire point. Principal contact wouldn't of been the head if Letang stays upright.
- canadianpenfan

Doesnt matter, Letang is playing the puck and Nystrom is responsible for the point of contact when he makes the hit. The problem with your logic is that it assumes Nystrom HAD TO make the hit. He didnt have to, and therefore assumes responsibility of the risk/reward of making the hit. As I said, Letang wasnt turning his back on a player to draw a boarding penalty, he is doing what he is supposed to do in making a hockey play on the puck. If you want to be a player that "toes the line" on these sort of hits, you are going to pay the price when you inevitably cross said line.

The other problem with making Letang assume responsibility for lowering his head when reaching for the puck is that it promotes neither player playing the puck going forward. If Letang is the one who bears responsibility, then in the future you will see plays where neither player goes for the puck just so they can collide safely--no offense, but I dont want to watch 2 guys watch the puck go skittering by just so they can hit each other.

I was more angry that this is the 2nd time that has happened to Letang and no one drops their gloves with the guy during the course of the game. Take the extra 2 minutes and don't give him a choice. I know points are important right now but so is Letang.

The other problem with making Letang assume responsibility for lowering his head when reaching for the puck is that it promotes neither player playing the puck going forward. If Letang is the one who bears responsibility, then in the future you will see plays where neither player goes for the puck just so they can collide safely--no offense, but I dont want to watch 2 guys watch the puck go skittering by just so they can hit each other.
- Rawdog9755

I don't think it's Letangs fault for assuming another player would have enough respect for him to not take the hit. However I don't blame Nystrom for taking the hit. Elbows were in on the hit and Letang's head was down focused on the puck. Letang lowers himself to play the puck and bang.

Doesnt matter, Letang is playing the puck and Nystrom is responsible for the point of contact when he makes the hit. The problem with your logic is that it assumes Nystrom HAD TO make the hit. He didnt have to, and therefore assumes responsibility of the risk/reward of making the hit. As I said, Letang wasnt turning his back on a player to draw a boarding penalty, he is doing what he is supposed to do in making a hockey play on the puck. If you want to be a player that "toes the line" on these sort of hits, you are going to pay the price when you inevitably cross said line.
- Rawdog9755

Nystrom has every right to take the body in that situation. Nystrom wouldn't have a job playing professional hockey if he didn't take the body in situations like that. It's not his fault Letang changed the angle of contact at the last second. Anyways, I'm done talking about it.

I was more angry that this is the 2nd time that has happened to Letang and no one drops their gloves with the guy during the course of the game. Take the extra 2 minutes and don't give him a choice. I know points are important right now but so is Letang.
- dbell646

This I agree with. Plenty of people challenged him, which was nice, but Asham or Engo should of grabbed him and started throwing punches.

I was more angry that this is the 2nd time that has happened to Letang and no one drops their gloves with the guy during the course of the game. Take the extra 2 minutes and don't give him a choice. I know points are important right now but so is Letang.
- dbell646

When Nystrom and Geno were going at it, I thought Geno was going to take care of it similar to when Crosby would go off and start swinging out of frustration. If nothing else, it would have sent a message to the rest of the team that your superstar shouldnt have to handle this crap on his own. Agreed though, if Nystrom wont fight then you dont give him a choice--drop the gloves and start swinging. Last night was one of the times when you wished we had TK around because those are the kinds of fights he will take up and he is small enough to bait somebody into fighting.

Nystrom has every right to take the body in that situation. Nystrom wouldn't have a job playing professional hockey if he didn't take the body in situations like that. It's not his fault Letang changed the angle of contact at the last second. Anyways, I'm done talking about it.
- canadianpenfan

Problem is he didnt take the body, he took the chin. Taking the body would have blew him back into the boards, not spun him like a top. The comment about not having a job is irrelevant. Cooke doesnt make those hits anymore but still has a job and value to the team. Also, if a player's only value and reason for being on a team in the NHL is to make those hits, then IMO he shouldnt be in the league.

I was more angry that this is the 2nd time that has happened to Letang and no one drops their gloves with the guy during the course of the game. Take the extra 2 minutes and don't give him a choice. I know points are important right now but so is Letang.
- dbell646

Now that I agree with. It had to be Asham though. With only 5 D Engelland's hands were tied.

When Nystrom and Geno were going at it, I thought Geno was going to take care of it similar to when Crosby would go off and start swinging out of frustration. If nothing else, it would have sent a message to the rest of the team that your superstar shouldnt have to handle this crap on his own. Agreed though, if Nystrom wont fight then you dont give him a choice--drop the gloves and start swinging. Last night was one of the times when you wished we had TK around because those are the kinds of fights he will take up and he is small enough to bait somebody into fighting.
- Rawdog9755

For whatever reason Dan Bylsma doesn't seem to want the guys doing that. I was happy to see him send out Asham when Ott was acting up.

Now that I agree with. It had to be Asham though. With only 5 D Engelland's hands were tied.
- Gunner Staal

It could have been Vitale, Adams, anyone someone please. Hip checks fine big hits along the boards fine if it looks like someone gets a head shot attack.

Now that I agree with. It had to be Asham though. With only 5 D Engelland's hands were tied.
- Gunner Staal

The real guy we were missing last night was Rupp. That was his kind of game.

Problem is he didnt take the body, he took the chin. Taking the body would have blew him back into the boards, not spun him like a top. The comment about not having a job is irrelevant. Cooke doesnt make those hits anymore but still has a job and value to the team. Also, if a player's only value and reason for being on a team in the NHL is to make those hits, then IMO he shouldnt be in the league.
- Rawdog9755

Kunitz or someone on the ice at the time should have lit Nystrom up as soon as it happened and not given him a chance to duck out of the fight. The Pens tried to engage him the rest of the came. He cowered away from it.

The real guy we were missing last night was Rupp. That was his kind of game.
- Rawdog9755

Now that I agree with. It had to be Asham though. With only 5 D Engelland's hands were tied.
- Gunner Staal

Only having 5 D is a valid point, but I think sending a message about protecting a player like Letang is more important than getting the two points. Plus, Asham has only recently returned from concussion himself.

I agree too that you don't give him a choice to decline....

Kunitz or someone on the ice at the time should have lit Nystrom up as soon as it and not given him a chance to duck out of the fight. The Pens tried to engage him the rest of the came. He cowered away from it.
- akane13

I was cracking up when HCDB sent out Asham and Ott turtled. Couldn't believe he waited until the 3rd period though. That message should have been delivered early into the 1st when Ott started his antics

I was cracking up when HCDB sent out Asham and Ott turtled. Couldn't believe he waited until the 3rd period though. That message should have been delivered early into the 1st when Ott started his antics
- dbell646

Asham should have ripped Ott's damn arm off while he was patronizingly patting him on the shoulder.

Asham should have ripped Ott's damn arm off while he was patronizingly patting him on the shoulder.
- akane13

Ott is a good hockey player though, you can see why he has a lot of value.

He definitely has his shenanigans but he can flat out play too. Great assist on the one goal.

Asham should have ripped Ott's damn arm off while he was patronizingly patting him on the shoulder.
- akane13

Then he would have fallen for what Ott was trying to accomplish. Ott looked bad enough backing down. No reason to make him a sympathetic character in the mess. Nystrom should have been dealt with his next shift (tho, I believe Englland laid him out nicely, and legally) and the Pens then get on to the business of getting two points, leaving the league to hopefully hand out correct punishment

I was cracking up when HCDB sent out Asham and Ott turtled. Couldn't believe he waited until the 3rd period though. That message should have been delivered early into the 1st when Ott started his antics
- dbell646

Last night is an instance where Id like to see a partial return to pre-lockout hockey, only in the sense that in the past Nystrom wouldnt be able to make the hit without fighting immediately after. As soon as they saw Letang down, somebody on the ice should have dropped the gloves and started skating directly at Nystrom. If you want to make the hit, then take your medicine.

Last night is an instance where Id like to see a partial return to pre-lockout hockey, only in the sense that in the past Nystrom wouldnt be able to make the hit without fighting immediately after. As soon as they saw Letang down, somebody on the ice should have dropped the gloves and started skating directly at Nystrom. If you want to make the hit, then take your medicine.
- Rawdog9755

Its tough though, where is the line? I DESPISE when there is a huge clean hit and the guy has to fight right away because of it.

Ott is a good hockey player though, you can see why he has a lot of value.

He definitely has his shenanigans but he can flat out play too. Great assist on the one goal.
- Gunner Staal

Totally agree. He's become an even more effective player since he toned down his antics. He reminds of Jarkko Ruutu with better skill. Same kind of game though. Watching him pat Asham on the shoulder last night reminded me instantly of Ruutu waving his stick in Jagr's face before a faceoff during the Rags/Pens series in '08 (?)

Kunitz or someone on the ice at the time should have lit Nystrom up as soon as it and not given him a chance to duck out of the fight. The Pens tried to engage him the rest of the came. He cowered away from it.
- akane13

My question is this. Why would Nystrom drop them, giving the Pens what they wanted, and giving them more momentum/energy?

I understand as a hockey fan, the thought process of "answering the bell" per se. However, sometimes I think players can be really stupid by dropping the gloves when the opposition wants it, and with doing so, normally changes the momentum.

As much as the Pens and their fans wanted him to do so.....I dont know that I would say Nystrom "cowered away from it."

Just like Ott not dropping them with Asham. I see the Pens side, but looking at the other side....why would he give the Pens what they want?

I think back to the Pens vs Flyers in the playoffs a few yrs ago as a prime example of my thought process. The Flyers were up by a few goals in the game, IIRC Talbot wanted Carcillo to drop the gloves- he does, and the Pens came roaring back in that game. To me, it was STUPID of Carcillo to "answer the bell".

My question is this. Why would Nystrom drop them, giving the Pens what they wanted, and giving them more momentum/energy?

I understand as a hockey fan, the thought process of "answering the bell" per se. However, sometimes I think players can be really stupid by dropping the gloves when the opposition wants it, and with doing so, normally changes the momentum.

As much as the Pens and their fans wanted him to do so.....I dont know that I would say Nystrom "cowered away from it."

Just like Ott not dropping them with Asham. I see the Pens side, but looking at the other side....why would he give the Pens what they want?

I think back to the Pens vs Flyers in the playoffs a few yrs ago as a prime example of my thought process. The Flyers were up by a few goals in the game, IIRC Talbot wanted Carcillo to drop the gloves- he does, and the Pens came roaring back in that game. To me, it was STUPID of Carcillo to "answer the bell".
- Bren4Wings

We became rather fond of that moment around here.

My question is this. Why would Nystrom drop them, giving the Pens what they wanted, and giving them more momentum/energy?

I understand as a hockey fan, the thought process of "answering the bell" per se. However, sometimes I think players can be really stupid by dropping the gloves when the opposition wants it, and with doing so, normally changes the momentum.

As much as the Pens and their fans wanted him to do so.....I dont know that I would say Nystrom "cowered away from it."

Just like Ott not dropping them with Asham. I see the Pens side, but looking at the other side....why would he give the Pens what they want?

I think back to the Pens vs Flyers in the playoffs a few yrs ago as a prime example of my thought process. The Flyers were up by a few goals in the game, IIRC Talbot wanted Carcillo to drop the gloves- he does, and the Pens came roaring back in that game. To me, it was STUPID of Carcillo to "answer the bell".
- Bren4Wings

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