Coyotes' Hanzal suspended one game

The National Hockey League has acted swiftly and suspended Phoenix Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal for boarding Kings forward Dustin Brown during the third period of last nights game. For his efforts Hanzal will miss Thursday night's game in Los Angeles, California between the Kings and the Coyotes.

NEW YORK -- Phoenix Coyotes forward Martin Hanzal has been suspended for one game for boarding Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Brown during Game 2 of the teams’ Western Conference Final playoff series Tuesday in Phoenix, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 11:01 of the third period. Hanzal was assessed a major penalty and game misconduct for boarding.

As with any suspension there are going to be fans that aren't happy with the suspension or think the suspension should be longer and isn't tough enough. I actually think Brown is lucky he wasn't hurt during the hit.

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Derek Morris goal from center ice

In tonight's Western Conference Final game between the Phoenix Coyotes and  Los Angeles Kings game, Coyotes defenseman Derek Morris scored an improvable goal on Los Angeles Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick from center ice. Quick has been almost unbeatable through two rounds in the playoffs. This just proves that there is nothing bad about a shot on goal.

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Max Lapierre does his best Greg Louganis impersonation

s/t bearcat2002... Wow!!! Some of these guys should try their hand at drama school. This dive was a thing of beauty, check out Max Lapierre's dive after Drew Doughty's love tap, and they wonder why they never get a call from the referees. You don't have to look far to figure it out.

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• Game 1 does nothing for Canucks' image, or cause (theprovince.com)

Bryon Bitz faces hearing with Shanny and the Department of Player Safety

Former Cornell Big Red forward Bryon Bitz was given a five minute major and a game misconduct for this dirty elbow on Los Angeles Kings forward Kyle Clifford. This is an unnecessary and dangerous hit and needs to be taken from the game of hockey. I predict that since Bitz, who is a third or fourth line player, will end up serving a suspension of a game or two for this hit on Clifford because the league will want to send a message.

NHL.COM ---- Vancouver Canucks right wing Byron Bitz will face a disciplinary hearing with the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety Thursday.

The hearing regards a boarding major Bitz received Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against Los Angeles when Bitz hit L.A.'s Kyle Clifford at 12:12 of the second period. Bitz was also assessed a game misconduct on the play.

Related articles

• Bits on Bitz (insidehockey.com)
• Kings Steal Home Ice By Beating Top-Ranked Canucks In Playoffs Opener (losangeles.cbslocal.com)
• Willes: No discipline or intelligence as Kings make Canucks pay for mistakes (theprovince.com)
• Kings Beat Canucks In Game One 4-2. Enjoy It & Get Back To Business On Friday (lakingsnews.com)

NHL re-alignment, NHL opts for four conferences

According to the USA Today this is the  NHL is going to look like next season. The good news is that everyone will play everyone twice a season. 

East 1: New York Rangers, New York Islanders, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Carolina and Washington

East II: Florida, Tampa, Montreal, Toronto, Buffalo, Ottawa and Boston.

Central: Columbus, Detroit, Winnipeg, Nashville, Dallas, Minnesota, St. Louis and Chicago

West: Phoenix, Anaheim, Los Angeles, San Jose, Vancouver, Colorado, Edmonton and Calgary

Here are a few more detail from Darren Dreger of TSN.