Pittsburgh Penguins: James Neal goal against the New York Rangers (Video)

I am not sure why New Yorks Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist was upset? After watching the video, it was obvious that Evgeni Malkin never touched the puck with his stick. Pens forward James Neal was credited with the goal.

3-1 Leads Not Nice in Jackets Penguins Series

One would think that if you would have a 3-1 lead in the third period of a hockey game, the odds of you winning the game would be pretty good right? Try explaining that to the Blue Jackets and Penguins. Both teams have come into the game tonight spotting 3-1 leads in each of the first three games, Columbus in game one and three, and Pittsburgh in game two. In each instance, the team who had that lead would lose.

As for tonight, Pittsburgh would jump to an early 3-0 lead, and would look as if they were going to cruise to victory against this Blue Jackets team, who on paper doesn't match up to the mighty Penguins. Columbus would score late to be down 3-1 late in the first and go into the locker room down at that score. One has to wonder if the Penguins had that stat from the first three games in the back of their heads in the locker room, or if they were told to protect the lead.

Columbus would chip away at the two goal Penguin lead, and make it 3-2 in the second. At this point one starts wondering if it could happen again. Could another 3-1 lead be blown and the victory be 4-3 for the fourth straight game?

With under a minute left in the third, and the Jackets goalie on the bench, the hometown kid, Brandon Dubinsky, would tie the game at three and would send it to overtime. Once again a 3-1 lead is blown, and once again the final score would be 4-3. In recent memory, I can never remember a series being like this one. One where the team who scores first has lost every single time. The one where every final score was 4-3, and most of all, one where a 3-1 lead is blown in every single game.

None the less, the game goes to overtime and just 2:49 into the period, the game is over. Nick Folingo would fire, what looked to be a harmless shot, from just inside the blue line on the left side of the zone, and somehow would get by Penguin goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.

If you would have told me after game one that this series would have a game six, let alone two Jackets wins, I would have laughed at you. The Penguins looked as if they came into this series very cocky and thinking they would have to go five games max to end this series.

This series actually reminds me a lot of the Wild and Avalanche in 2003. Nobody gave Minnesota a chance, but the hard working Wild fought their way to the second round, getting passed the stacked Colorado Avalanche. It's the same situation in this series, although Columbus didn't win game one and have to fight off a 3-1 deficit in this series.

I can't wait to see how the rest of this series plays out and I think there could possibly be an upset in the making, sending the Penguins, and their fans, home with a sour taste in their mouths, just like the Avalanche back in 2003.

David Savard slash on Chris Kunitz, Kunitz gets diving penalty

Disclosure time, I can be tough on the officials, I admit that. It’s well documented. In this case, I think that the officials got the first call right, but made the second half of the call wrong.

Let me explain, you definitely have a penalty on David Savard for slashing; he hit Chris Kunitz in the hands with his stick. That’s a text book penalty, the ref is supposed to call that. The diving call on Kunizt is kind of a tough call. It’s not like Kunitz leapt to the ice retching in pain and flailing about.  He fell down after being hit with a carbon fiber stick. 

14:48 CBJ David Savard Slashing - 2 min against Chris Kunitz
14:48 PIT Chris Kunitz Diving - 2 min against David Savard

Crosby in Nose Bleed Alley (GIF)

Tough being Sidney Crosby....

GIF: Sidney Crosby and Brandon Dubinsky not big fans of each other http://t.co/O62lFUtJyT
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) April 17, 2014

My NHL Stanley Cup Predictions - Bruins win Rematch over the Blackhawks

Zach Hawkins has made his predictions for the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs, here's mine. Feel free to chime in with your picks.

2014 Stanley Cup Playoff Predictions

EAST:
Round 1:
Boston over Detroit
Montreal over Tampa
Philly over NYR
Pittsburgh over Columbus

Round 2:
Philly over Pittsburgh
Boston over Montreal

Round 3:
Philly over Boston

WEST:
Round 1:
Anaheim over Dallas
LA over San Jose
Colorado over Minnesota
Chicago over St. Louis

Round 2:
Anaheim over LA
Colorado over Chicago

Round 3:
Colorado over Anaheim

STANLEY CUP FINALS:
Colorado over Philly

Pittsburgh Pengiuns: Jussi Jokinen shootout goal

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jussi Jokinen was given a gift when Red Wings goalie Jonas Gustavsson tries to stick check him and knocks the puck in his own net in the shootout.

(Video) Brooks Orpik hit on Jonathan Toews

I am not a fan of Brooks Orpik, not at all. He will lay people out with huge hits that seem to always be in the grey area. He'll layout a star player and not answer the bell when challenged. That's my biggest problem with this guy. This hit is right on the edge. It could go either way. I am not a fan of either team. I have no dog in this fight.

But look at it this way. If someone hit Wayne Gretzky or Sidney Crosby this way, what would happen to that player in question. It Wild forward Matt Cooke hit Jonathan Toews with this hit, would he be getting a call from the Department of Player Safety?

Still not convinced?

Let me put it to you this way. I am sure that if the Bruins forward Milan Lucic hit Sidney Crosby like that Penguins fan's would be fine with that hit, right? I am sure they would be.... Right? They wouldn't be screaming for a suspension, right? Of course not. I am not saying that Brooks deserves to be suspended by the NHL. He won't be. The next time someone takes a run at Crosby, remember this hit.

@tjmcaloon the suspension train is pulling in the station. pic.twitter.com/KSjZlakOt9
— Michael Keating (@KeatingSports) March 31, 2014

Pittsburgh Penguins: Kris Letang talks about his stroke

Kristopher Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, at a 4–1 win over the New Jersey Devils (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If you haven't seen it, this article by Josh Yohe who's the Penguins reporter for the TribLive.com, its worth a look. 

Yohe's article is about Pittsburgh Penguins defensman Kris Letang and what he has gone through after suffering a stroke. Very scary story. 

Letang's absence to the Penguins line-up is a major loss, but his long term health is more important right now.  

It was a scary time.

On the morning of Jan. 29, Letang's wife woke up to find him laying on the floor of the couple's bedroom. He was alert but knew something was wrong.

“I was not able to function,” he said.

Letang's mother-in-law is a nurse and was at their home at the time of his stroke, which stopped him from calling 911. He felt better enough later in the day to fly with the Penguins to Los Angeles.

But after a series of tests, it was determined that Letang had a stroke. He said he is still having “good days and bad days” and is still dealing with fatigue.

Letang looked noticeably thinner than normal. He has recently been given permission to work out though he isn't skating and continues to take blood thinner medication. [Read more]

Linus Omark Embellishment

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen is given a two-minutes minor penalty for high sticking the Sabres Linus Omark. Wow! Talk about selling it. Thoughts?

(Video) Marc-Andre Fleury and Peter Budaj Almost Fight

Last night, the Montreal Canadiens and the Pittsburgh Penguins hooked up in an eastern conference match-up. The Penguins beat Les Habs 5-1. The refs should have let Marc-Andre Fleury and Peter Budaj fight.

Better save, Varlamov or Fleury?

Good question: Which save was nicer, Semyon Varlamov or Marc-Andre Fleury? I am going with the Russian. Both are great saves though

Sid Crosby: Impressive Numbers.

Like him or hate him, Penguins Star Sidney Crosby is an elite hockey player, that has put up some crazy numbers in his short hockey career. Think about this,  (25g-461a—720pts) in 520 games evens out to 1.41 PPG for the All-Star forward. Imagine if he hadn't suffered all of those concussions? If my math is right, Crosby missed  over 100-games due to post concussion syndrome issues. Also, he missed about 20-games due to a ankle injury during the 2008 hockey season.

Related articles

• Ray Shero on the Clock (thehockeywriters.com)

(Video) Robert Bortuzzo head shot on Jerry D'Amigo

Penguins Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo delivers a headshot on Maple Leafs forward Jerry D'Amigo. Bortuzzo was given a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head. I think there's a chance that Bortuzzo could get a call from the NHL's department of Player Safety.

I also agree with the fans that say that the Pittsburgh Penguins don't have the moral high ground, either. Lastly, Is this the same kind of hit that Deryk Engelland put on Justin Abdelkader? I don't know? Thoughts?

In looking at Bortuzzo/D'Amigo, we see unavoidable head contact on an otherwise full body hit. Will not be pursuing supplemental discipline.

— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 17, 2013

I don't believe Bortuzzo has a past history with supplemental discipline.
— Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) December 17, 2013

Check to the head penalty for Bortuzzo. This game has been fairly nasty, especially since goalie collision. #pens #Leafs
— Rob Rossi (@RobRossi_Trib) December 17, 2013

(Video) Boston Bruins: Shawn Thornton Suspended 15-games

Update: The NHL has thrown the book at Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton for his attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik.

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton is suspended 15-games for his attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik. That means that Thornton will not be eligible to return to the ice until January 11, 2014 against the San Jose Sharks. Developing.

Thornton gets 15 games. #TSN
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 14, 2013

Chiarelli: "We respect the process including the ability to attend and present our case in person. At this time, we will decline comment..."
— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) December 14, 2013

Boston Bruins issue statements regarding the suspension of Shawn Thornton. Read: http://t.co/s7xLfTAG57 ^BB
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 14, 2013

Via a team press release, Shawn Thornton says he'll discuss suspension with team, NHLPA and his reps, will address publicly after that.
— Matt Pepin (@mattpep15) December 14, 2013

Related articles

• Doesn't look good for Shawn Thornton (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Throw the Book at Shawn Thornton (thehockeywriters.com)
• Settling the Debate: Thornton Hit Worse Than Neal Knee (thehockeywriters.com)
• The Character Assassination of Brooks Orpik (thehockeywriters.com)
• VIDEO: Loui Eriksson concussed after hit from Brooks Orpik: Shawn Thornton Attacks Orpik (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Bruins Hockey: Chris Kelly Out With Broken Ankle

s/t KK... Before Pittsburgh Penguins fans lecture us about the Boston Bruins being dirty, check this out. Chris Kelly is out with a broken ankle after he was slashed by Pens forward Pascal Dupuis last night.

VIDEO: Loui Eriksson concussed after hit from Brooks Orpik: Shawn Thornton Attacks Orpik

First, this is the hit by Brooks Orpik on Loui Eriksson that caused Shawn Thornton to snap tonight. This hit also injured Eriksson, and from the video, you can see that the puck was nowhere near Erikson. 

While the hit definitely a penalty; it's probably nothing more than a two-minute minor penalty for interference. 

That being said, there’s no excusing what Shawn Thornton did, this is unacceptable. I believe that Thornton broke the hockey code by attacking a player that was laying on the ice. You can't have that. 

Thornton is going to have a hearing with the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety. While Thornton has never been suspended by the NHL, they have to respond to this hit.

I think that it would be safe to say that Thornton will be looking at a very long suspension. The NHL has to respond harshly to this act of violence. I am going to predict that Thornton is looking at a 10-game suspension, minimum. Some might compare what There's no excusing what he did. Before Boston Bruins fans eviscerate me, I am Boston Bruins fan, but we can't excuse this. 

Boston Bruins: Torey Krug O.T. thriller

Thank you Michigan State. Torey Krug has become kind of a rock star in Boston. The Boston Bruins (16-6-2), first in the Eastern Conference are 7-0-2 in their past nine game at home. Torey Krug also has points in three straight games (1g-2a—3pts) and has scored (7g-8a—15pts) on the season and is fourth on the Bruins in scoring.

ESPN Predicts the NHL Finish

Wow, the ESPN writers picked who they think will win the various divisions (Atlantic, Pacific, Metro, Central Divisions) and these same writers also picked who they think will end up being the Stanley Cup. I am a bit surprised there isn't more love for the Detroit Redwings, only four of the writers picked the Redwings. I also have them penciled in to win the Stanley Cup.

Related articles

• Montreal Canadiens: The Most Overrated Franchise In NHL History? (thehockeywriters.com)
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Saturday Evening: 24 days until the NHL starts

24 days !!! Until hockey is back pic.twitter.com/4XCbYQGmxW
— HockeyPerks® (@HockeyPerks) September 7, 2013

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