it's two highly powered offenses, one goalie playing average, one goalie playing with zero confidence possibly due to his team's suspect defense, a ton of dirty play, a ton of penalties, zero control from the officials, zero discipline from the pens and a team with every piece needed for a championship imposing its will on a team with 2 whiny superstars and a bunch of bandaids, oh and neal who i now think is a goon. that pretty much sums it up
- flyerscup2011

I'm late on this one, but I think Boyle was told by the coach not to retaliate if someone comes after him. The plan would've worked had they not thrown out Dubinsky and had they scored on the ensuing 5 minute powerplay.

On another note - I hope the other Sens players chip for the wages Carkner lost due to the suspension.
- AlfieFever

You don't get paid in the playoffs. So he won't lose any money.

http://bleacherreport.com...irst-round-studs-and-duds

I think it's also the simple fact that most of these guys that get the whole situation started don't infact fight. So when they only get a minor penalty for a dirty attempted hit or they leave the player hurt. It now goes onto the players hands.

I know he isnt in the playoffs or even in the NHL anymore but why do you think everyone hated Avery??? Cuz he would start a riot and then hide leaving his teammates to stick up for him because he pulled an assanine move. Even his own teammates eventually called him out and thats one of the reasons the Rangers send him to the AHL club and then told him to stop showing up for games and practices cuz you arent playing.

Boyle punches Karlsson in the head like 5 times so Carkner the next game goes at him... Boyle who is just as big, if not bigger then Carkner turtles like a mary... But fights neil later int he game because he is much smaller then Carkner... Own up to your actions, you do something stupid or take a run at someone dont hide from the consequences, take it like a man... whats the worst thing thats gonna happen? you get punched in the face a few times and you go down to the ice.

(side note: hopefully Adams pulled Hartnell's hair by accident... if he didn't then wow)

I know he isnt in the playoffs or even in the NHL anymore but why do you think everyone hated Avery??? Cuz he would start a riot and then hide leaving his teammates to stick up for him because he pulled an assanine move.

Sadly, this sounds like Sidney Crosby these days.

The NHL has done extensive market testing on how to sell their product in the US. They have discovered that the average sports fan finds violence and threats of violence to be the most engaging element of the sport.

If skill players go down, that's okay because it might get them on the ESPN highlight reel and the average sports fan might tune into the next episode - I mean game - to see how things turn out.

The NHL is turning into wrestling.
- billcanuck

of course a Canucks fan would say that

I think it's also the simple fact that most of these guys that get the whole situation started don't infact fight. So when they only get a minor penalty for a dirty attempted hit or they leave the player hurt. It now goes onto the players hands.

I know he isnt in the playoffs or even in the NHL anymore but why do you think everyone hated Avery??? Cuz he would start a riot and then hide leaving his teammates to stick up for him because he pulled an assanine move. Even his own teammates eventually called him out and thats one of the reasons the Rangers send him to the AHL club and then told him to stop showing up for games and practices cuz you arent playing.

Boyle punches Karlsson in the head like 5 times so Carkner the next game goes at him... Boyle who is just as big, if not bigger then Carkner turtles like a mary... But fights neil later int he game because he is much smaller then Carkner... Own up to your actions, you do something stupid or take a run at someone dont hide from the consequences, take it like a man... whats the worst thing thats gonna happen? you get punched in the face a few times and you go down to the ice.

(side note: hopefully Adams pulled Hartnell's hair by accident... if he didn't then wow)
- Bags502

carkner got thrown out how could Boyle fight him neil was the other option

Yea I mean not just cause Giroux is on the Flyers, which is a plus, but Stamkos and Giroux are widely respected and liked players around the league. They are players you can't help but get behind and like. They are everything Sidney Crosby is not when it comes to branding a player. How do you brand a player as the face of your league that EVERYONE hates? Not much logic to that.

Unfortunately, I highly doubt the NHL is gonna put the Flyers and TBL at the fore-front of their league.
- Flyers2821

A lot of hate for Crosby comes from his constant media attention though. You wouldn't want the same thing to befall Giroux.

carkner got thrown out how could Boyle fight him neil was the other option
- tableflipper

He tried

I guess that the only problem with Boyle not fighting Carkner is that he did fight Neil. I think he really didn't think that Carkner was going to hit him. I have never seen Boyle back down from any one. Even though he consistently loses those fights. I just want to know where Rupp and Prust and Bickel were. The next game is going to be nasty. The Rangers didn't have the most fighting majors in the league for no reason.

First of all, not the same hit at all, Phillips hit with the shoulder and Callaghan was leaning forward a little. Hagelin rode upwards with the elbow.

Second of all, that is exactly what Boyle did to Karlsson. Which the refs for some reason deemed was worth 2 minutes each for roughing.

Ottawa wouldn't have to police itself if the referees had called that correctly in the first place.
- corbechev

I will pray to god every night that something is actually wrong with you, and you don't truly believe that. Karlsson whacked Boyle with his stick twice, and he and Boyle both engaged each other. Were the punches/noogies over the top? Yeah. But that's entirely different than going after a guy and punching him 7 times without letting him get his gloves up, than continuing to punch him as he lied on the ground.

Phillips elbow connected directly with Callahan's head. Principlal point of contact. There is no arguing that.

Like I said, you fans are (frank)ing delusional.

I think it's also the simple fact that most of these guys that get the whole situation started don't infact fight. So when they only get a minor penalty for a dirty attempted hit or they leave the player hurt. It now goes onto the players hands.

I know he isnt in the playoffs or even in the NHL anymore but why do you think everyone hated Avery??? Cuz he would start a riot and then hide leaving his teammates to stick up for him because he pulled an assanine move. Even his own teammates eventually called him out and thats one of the reasons the Rangers send him to the AHL club and then told him to stop showing up for games and practices cuz you arent playing.

Boyle punches Karlsson in the head like 5 times so Carkner the next game goes at him... Boyle who is just as big, if not bigger then Carkner turtles like a mary... But fights neil later int he game because he is much smaller then Carkner... Own up to your actions, you do something stupid or take a run at someone dont hide from the consequences, take it like a man... whats the worst thing thats gonna happen? you get punched in the face a few times and you go down to the ice.

(side note: hopefully Adams pulled Hartnell's hair by accident... if he didn't then wow)
- Bags502

Boyle has never once backed down from a fight, despite that fact that he looses nearly all of them. He got (frank)ing jumped by Carkner. If you believe that it's fair game, just (frank)ing wait until someone does it to JT.

Just don't female dog when Carkner comes over to JT and punches him 7 times without JT getting his gloves up, and goes on to continuing punching him as he lies on the ground defenseless.

I hope it happens, just to see your reaction.

This article sums up some good key points: http://hookedonhockeymaga...he-stanley-cup-literally/