John Toperzer: Nothing for Del Zotto on knock to James Neal's noggin Pens win Friday, courtesy of Jussi Jokinen

Shocking. Another Rangers player getting away with no punishment.

If someone did that to one of my guys I'd want something to happen but if you look at the play Del Zotto was just being reckless. I think he felt the pressure then shoved his elbow back there not knowing Neals head was gonna get slammed.

When you elbow someone with your back to them, your typically not gonna get suspended

It's not like the Rangers are getting away with a bunch of slew foots by there top players

After what Kunitz got away with last weekend, I dont think you guys have anything to complain about.

After what Kunitz got away with last weekend, I dont think you guys have anything to complain about.
- The_Inkwell

For doing nothing uncalled for? Yeah, makes no sense.

It would be difficult to say - at least with confidence - that Del Zotto knew what he was doing. It was a reckless play that had an unfortunate result. I take issue with Boyle what did more than the Del Zotto/Neal thing.

Shocking. Another Rangers player getting away with no punishment.
- systemtool

My god you pens fans really are babies. What you guys fail to see was Neal was about to hit DZ from behind while he was engaged with another player. Forgive me if I don't feel sympathy for him

Maybe not fully engaged but Malkin was coming in from his left

After what Kunitz got away with last weekend, I dont think you guys have anything to complain about.
- The_Inkwell

This comment tells me right there that you have no clue about the game of hockey. Your player initiated the play. It was unfortunate, but that wasn't Kunitz's problem. Fact is, he shouldn't have even been penalized.

After what Kunitz got away with last weekend, I dont think you guys have anything to complain about.
- The_Inkwell

This comment tells me right there that you have no clue about the game of hockey. Your player initiated the play. It was unfortunate, but that wasn't Kunitz's problem. Fact is, he shouldn't have even been penalized.

After what Kunitz got away with last weekend, I dont think you guys have anything to complain about.
- The_Inkwell

This comment tells me right there that you have no clue about the game of hockey. Your player initiated the play. It was unfortunate, but that wasn't Kunitz's problem. Fact is, he shouldn't have even been penalized.

Considering Neal's behavior against the Flyers in last year's playoffs, it couldn't have happened to a more worthy person. That is karma, ladies and gents. The only difference is that Del Zotto didn't appear to have an intent to injure.

Wow, Rangers fans have their panties in a bunch after last nights game.

After what Kunitz got away with last weekend, I dont think you guys have anything to complain about.
- The_Inkwell

A shoulder to shoulder check? The same thing happened to Malkin against Florida earlier in the season. It's a hard nosed play. Not even boarding. For the record I didn't think Del Zotto should be suspended. Maybe a fine, if anything. It didn't look intentional. It was just a tad reckless.

I think at most, it was worthy of a fine. It was a reckless play by del zotto but he wasnt targeting the head.

Unfortunately since the dept of play safety has no consistancy, these type of plays we'll be debated back and fourth every time they happen.

Wow, Rangers fans have their panties in a bunch after last nights game.
- cap1681

Having the Islanders in a position to steal the playoffs away is probably not where they thought they would be in January.

Wow, Rangers fans have their panties in a bunch after last nights game.
- cap1681

The internet might explode if these two teams meet in the playoffs.

That is not in the least bit dirty or malicious. Its a standard hockey play. Del Zotto was protecting the puck and bracing himself for a hit from behind. Del Zotto doesn't leave his feet, his elbow doesn't come up away from his body. Injuries happen.

Bob Errey is a disgrace to hockey fans everywhere. Mario can't find anyone better to do color? Its not fair to Pens fans to listen to his garbage, and sure as hell isn't right to let him do a game on national TV. Comparing a check to a falling skyscraper when playing against NY is just wrong.

My god you pens fans really are babies. What you guys fail to see was Neal was about to hit DZ from behind while he was engaged with another player. Forgive me if I don't feel sympathy for him

Maybe not fully engaged but Malkin was coming in from his left
- Marty Louganis

If you would bother to actually read, the person who said that is a Maple Leafs fan

My god you pens fans really are babies. What you guys fail to see was Neal was about to hit DZ from behind while he was engaged with another player. Forgive me if I don't feel sympathy for him

Maybe not fully engaged but Malkin was coming in from his left
- Marty Louganis

Oh man! I'm soooooo glad that someone can tell intent these days. I'm pretty sure he was about to go battle for the puck---but then again---I know I can't tell anyone's intent. I especially can't when nothing happened to give me a reason to think there was any.

DelZotto's intent is up for debate but I can almost guarantee you that his elbow pad is Kevlar based and rock hard. Time for the league to move away from the hard shelled elbow/shoulder pads. Much of these injuries can be eliminated.

Players administering a check on another player should be able to feel it a little bit themselves. With the "armor" that the players wear now they don't feel it at all.

Perhaps with the softer shelled equipment players would go back to being more selective about engaging an opponent.

DelZotto's intent is up for debate but I can almost guarantee you that his elbow pad is Kevlar based and rock hard. Time for the league to move away from the hard shelled elbow/shoulder pads. Much of these injuries can be eliminated.

Players administering a check on another player should be able to feel it a little bit themselves. With the "armor" that the players wear now they don't feel it at all.

Perhaps with the softer shelled equipment players would go back to being more selective about engaging an opponent.
- Gunner Staal

I think we can all agree to that.

DelZotto's intent is up for debate but I can almost guarantee you that his elbow pad is Kevlar based and rock hard. Time for the league to move away from the hard shelled elbow/shoulder pads. Much of these injuries can be eliminated.

Players administering a check on another player should be able to feel it a little bit themselves. With the "armor" that the players wear now they don't feel it at all.

Perhaps with the softer shelled equipment players would go back to being more selective about engaging an opponent.
- Gunner Staal

Couldn't agree more. Your never going to be able to eliminate hits to the head or any injuries for that matter. Its an extremely fast game and the players are getting much bigger and stronger. The rules and equipment are giving players a feeling of invincibility. I can't believe the amount of players that skate up and down the ice with their head down or turn there back to a player about to check them. All the stuff you are taught as a young kid is out the window now because players feel invincible now.

Considering Neal's behavior against the Flyers in last year's playoffs, it couldn't have happened to a more worthy person. That is karma, ladies and gents. The only difference is that Del Zotto didn't appear to have an intent to injure.
- steelydan

Here is hoping Brayden Schenn tears his ACL. Considering his behavior everytime he takes to the ice against the Pens - intentionally flying through the air and boarding Penguins like Paul Martin and knocking him out for the season ... that would be karma. It couldn't happen to a more worthy person.

You are one delusional schmuck thinking MDZ didn't know what he was doing. He was reckless. He turned and saw Neal out of the corner of his eyes. He knew. If he didn't, the elbow wouldn't have come up and nailed him.

This is a moot discussion. In a league and website that you are a fan of the leagues most hated team, there is no way for things to be seen clearly.

Del Zotto is not dirty but he elbowed a player in the chin and knocked him out. Those are facts and SHOULD be reviewed.

Rags fans are going to come here defending and they won't agree, but you bet your sweet asses that if this same play was perpetrated by the EVIL MATT COOKE all the trolls would be calling for league expulsion.

Bottom line, equipment or not fans will be homer fans and the Pens are the Dark Side...embrace it.

AND (frank) ALL THE HATERS!!!

This is a moot discussion. In a league and website that you are a fan of the leagues most hated team, there is no way for things to be seen clearly.

Del Zotto is not dirty but he elbowed a player in the chin and knocked him out. Those are facts and SHOULD be reviewed.

Rags fans are going to come here defending and they won't agree, but you bet your sweet asses that if this same play was perpetrated by the EVIL MATT COOKE all the trolls would be calling for league expulsion.

Bottom line, equipment or not fans will be homer fans and the Pens are the Dark Side...embrace it.

AND (frank) ALL THE HATERS!!!
- Doogs

Exactly ... if it were Matt Cooke, he should be suspended, but guys like MDZ or Nash shouldn't get anything. Well, we know Shanahan's stance on Nash already and his hit was more deliberate than Lupul's was.

Those elbow pads are pretty armored... the not so protected ones make the players susceptible to elbow injuries. However I think I would take this over players having their brains scrambled. I don't know if I can say the Del Zotto hit was suspendable, just reckless.