This week's NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Schedule

Clear your schedule, the second round of the NHL playoffs are set to begin.

Minnesota Wild: Nino Niederreiter game winning goal.

(Ignore the last 22 seconds of the video.)The Minnesota Wild move on to the second round for the first time in 11 years. The Wild now travel to the the Madhouse on Madison to play the Chicago Blackhawks. The first game is Friday at 7:30 pm. Central. No more midnight hockey. It's Jonathan Toews versus Zach Parise. During his career against the Blackhawks, Parise has played in 15 games and scored (3g-2a-5pts). For those that are wondering, during his career, Toews has scored (6g-13a-19pts) in 22 games against the Minnesota Wild.

During the regular season, the Wild went 3-2 against the Blackhawks. One of Chicago's two wins was a shootout.

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(Vine) Bruins and Habs, Thursday

Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens game one Thursday night.

Top 20 UFA's according to Cap Geek.

Only seven remaining UFAs recorded 50 or more points in 2013-14. http://t.co/2D5MRaT2CF
— CapGeek (@capgeek) April 30, 2014

Look who is at the top of this UFA list. Future Wild forward Thomas Vanek. Okay, so Vanek may or may not end up with the Wild, but he's at the top of the list.

Brent Seabrook and David Backes shake hands (GIF)

Nothing to see here folks, David Backes and Brent Seabrook shake hands at the end of the series.

(Video) NHL Hockey: Where's the obstruction? Av's game tying goal offsides

This officiating crew for the NHL should be fired. This is absolutely a travesty. The Av's are also offsides on the game tying goal as well. You can see by the video that Paul Stasny was offside as well.

Much better look- RT @johncanref: Why we teach linesmen to work the line! This call needs to be made inside the line. pic.twitter.com/aZA6XQLQgH
— Chris Long (@jclong) April 27, 2014

Irony: tomorrow's #mnwild #avs notebook, I quote Roy saying it's time for coach's challenges b/c of the bogus Parenteau offside in Game 2
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 27, 2014

@jthock @CharlieMpls @adater @jclong incorrect, skate must be in contact prior to puck crossing.
— John Moulton (@johncanref) April 27, 2014

Is history repeating it's self for the St. Louis Blues?

Someone put this picture up on the Hockey Writers Facebook group. If you're a St. Louis Blues fan, you might be a bit worried.

(Video) A couple of dirty goals by two ex-UND hockey players.

I have to admit, that this has been the best series that I have watched during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. As a UND Alumnus, I couldn't be prouder of our ex-UND players that are currently playing in the NHL and making a big-time contribution on the ice.  Both T.J. Oshie and Jonathan Toew's goals were of the dirty variety. I am going to be compiling a collection of some of these goals.

Reputation Reality: You are How You are Seen...Sorta (RW77)

Detroit Red Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi during a game against the Dallas Stars on December 29, 2010. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

There is a huge firestorm (to put it in a G-rated perspective) over recent acts (and past acts) concerning some current NHL players and how the growing priminence of social media is affecting people's perspectives.  Well, let's look at some facts:

Reputation vs. Character

I put this here as a professional courtesy, but.... your reputation isn't your character so much as it is how other people perceive your character to be.  Abraham Lincoln used an analogy of a tree and its shadow to define reputation vs. character where the reputation is the shadow and the tree is who you really are (character).  It makes sense if you step back and look at it.

However, a big part of human nature is the overwhelming need to be respected, appreciated, and for people to know who you REALLY are.  This goes double for public figures like politicians, celebrities, and athletes (especially pro athletes).  The problem isn't that these people make mistakes.  The problem is that social media enables those who follow these people to let as many as millions of other people know almost instantly.  It robs you of context and the ability to get, at times, the benefit of the doubt.  Other times, it just further emphasizes who you really are and that your own perspective of yourself isn't entirely accurate.

In the hockey context, recent tweets likened Matt Cooke to a serial killer.  This is really rather wrong, and this is coming from someone who dislikes Cooke with a passion.  He didn't kill anyone.  He does not show the common psychological profiles attributed scientifically with regular killers, let alone serial killers.  But then again, people would be quick to point out that this is just an exaggeration meant more to make a point rather than to actually call Cooke a killer.  That does not matter in a social media context.  What's in text is in text and the reader is apt to interpret it any way the reader likes.

Social Media and You

Facebook and Twitter (and other social media of the present and past) is what you make of it.  It's a spectacular way to connect, educate, and get to know people.  It's also a great way to stay informed ahead of the fast pace of the world's events at every level of importance.  Likewise, it's also the bane of anyone's existance.  It can destroy careers and make lives miserable.

I maintain that YOU are ultimately responsible for how you appear in the social media world if you are a public figure.  It's a hard lifestyle, but it is the truth.  If you play a physical game, you tend to draw the ire of opposing fans, as an example.  It's very easy to run with an assumption instead of gaining facts.  That's one of the big problems of hacked Twitter accounts, for example.

But when you are a public figure and you go out and do something or say something stupid, you're going to "get it" via everywhere.  Sometimes, it is almost funny in a macabre way (see Lindsey Lohan).  Other times, it is unfortunate.  And other times again, it marks a trend, sometimes one that is hard for friends and family of those who it affects to accept.

Matt Cooke's Reputation

Matt Cooke's reputation is garbage.  And it should be.  Right now, he's like the drunk friend you went out of your way to intervene and get him back on track, to correct his life, and to find a way to once again trust only to watch him purposely and knowingly fall off the wagon in grandiose fashion and now he wants to be taken at his word that it was just a harmless mistake and he won't do it again.  You don't go around claiming to be a changed man and cleaned up his game if you are just laying low for a while before doing it again.

Matt Cooke has fooled the NHL for years and he's been given chance after chance after chance.  After getting in a lot of trouble (whatever that actually was is all guesswork) that saw him get heat from the NHL and sat down by the Penguins, his team at the time, he seemed to clean up his act.  Seemed to.

In truth, Cooke was probably under intense scrutiny for a while and wanted to stay in the NHL so he laid low.  He still worked as a professional in other facets but laid low otherwise.  He had a good season this year with Minnesota and he had a ton of detractors thinking that he's a changed man.  There were many who wanted that to be true (especially Wild fans).  That's not the case.

So why does Cooke get all these chances?  Why does he get do overs?  I realize that a 7 game ban could actually be a season ending suspension, but when is the point that it is enough?

Can he be a changed man?  Is it possible?

The answer is yes.  And here's proof:  #44 for Detroit.... Todd Bertuzzi.

Todd Bertuzzi is, with the exception of maybe Marty McSorley, the man who committed perhaps the worst cheapshot in recent memory.  He got a year's suspension, charged with assault (he plead out of it) and will be back in court September 2014 for a civil suit pertaining to the act.  Sounds like a thug.  Sounds like a criminal right?

He's been suspended a grand total of.... ZERO times since his reinstatement.  ZERO.  In his first year with Detroit, he actually was among the team leaders in receiving the FEWEST penalty minutes!  Is Todd a changed man?

I believe he is.  Is he off the hook?  Not a chance.  Will he be forgiven for his act?  Not likely.  There will be no Bertuzzi statue in front of the Joe Louis Arena or in Vancouver.  But Todd cannot control that.

All he can control is how he acts on the ice.  He is who he is.  And I severely doubt we'll see him participate in a cheap shot of the likes of Cooke's antics for the remainder of his career.  I severely doubt the NHL will be as patient, lenient, and forgiving with Bertuzzi as they have been with Cooke should Bertuzzi commit a cheap illegal act again. 

In the end, I think Cooke's only chance at redemption will occur when the league says "You are reinstated after X games suspension without pay.  The next gross illegal act you commit will be your last as it will result in a permanent banishment from the National Hockey League."  I think then and only then will Cooke truly change.

(Video) T.J. Oshie scores from his knees

Check out this goal from St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie, he scores falling forward. Oshie's goal tied the score at 1-1. Check out the huge check that Ryan Reeves puts on Jonathan Toews prior to the goal.

(Video) Patrick Bordeleau takes a run at Jared Spurgeon

Funny, I didn't see any mention of this in the Denver Post this morning when I was reading their objective coverage of the series between the Av's and the Wild. I wonder if Adrian Dater or Mark Kizsla will cover this in their articles? Don't count on it. It would screw up their story line.

This is a blatant attempt at a leg check and could be worthy of a look from the NHL's Department of Player Safety. There's no defending this, it's a dirty hit. I know this is playoff hockey, but there is no reason for Patrick Bordeleau to take a run at Jared Spurgeon like that. I wonder if head coach Patrick Roy ordered Bordeleau to go out there and take a run at Spurgeon?

Finally watched Bordeleau's attempted knee on Spurgeon with 7:12 left. That's the definition of intent.
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 25, 2014

(Video) End of the Minnesota Wild game against the Colorado Avalanche

What a fantastic finish to an exciting game. Wild forwards Erik Haula and Mikael Granlund were huge in the final seconds of the game. The Minnesota Wild limited the high flying Av's to 12 shots on goal.

One assist, 3 drawn penalties, 3 ginormous blocked shots down 4-on-6 for Granlund
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) April 25, 2014

Bruins vs. Red Wings game preempted by Meaningless Spring Football game

This isn't the first time this has happened, either. Not everyone is a fan of the Thundering Herd. In what world is a meaningless spring football game worthy of  preempting the Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings? Seriously. This is the Stanley Cup Playoffs which actually means something. The Bison playing with/against themselves  is not important to NHL Hockey Fans.  I do wish that KVLY had two channels like ABC does (WDAZ and WDAY).

Raffi Torres, "Social Media making Cooke out to be a serial killer"

I find this quote by Sharks forward Raffi Torres to be interesting. Torres much like Cooke has cleaned up his act and has been a major contributor to the San Jose Sharks.

Nicholas Goss, NESN ---  (Matt) Cooke’s history of dirty hits, fines and suspensions has made him one of the most hated players in the league among fans. San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres, who also has multiple suspensions on his NHL resume, doesn’t like all the criticism Cooke has received since Monday’s incident. “I think he’s done a heck of a job the last couple of seasons to re-establish his game,” Torres said.

Tuesday, per ESPN.com’s Pierre LeBrun. “But with the media getting involved and especially social media, they make him out to be a serial killer. It’s kind of painful when you have to read that kind of stuff. I’m sure his family and close friends have to read that kind of stuff.

r/

There's your answer it's was Kiszla

So there's video of Cooke throwing elbow at MacKinnon's head and kneeing Barrie. Hope my Q to Yeo was reasonable.
— Mark Kiszla (@markkiszla) April 23, 2014

Earlier this week, a beat writer  from the Denver Post asked Minnesota Wild head coach Mike Yeo if he sent Matt Cooke out to run the Av's players. We knew it was either been Adrian Dater or Mark Kiszla that would ask such a objectionable question. Now it would appear that we know the answer. I am glad that Kiszla realizes his team is a bunch of saints either.

Mark Kiszla, Denver Post --- When I asked Minnesota coach Mike Yeo on Tuesday if the often-suspended Cooke represents the NHL well, Yeo bristled and said: "I'm not going to get into that. Listen, you're asking me to criticize my player. I'm not going to do that. I don't want to get into a whole laundry list of things trying to defend him."

So then I went back and watched video of Cooke making a blindside run at Avs teenager Nathan MacKinnon in the first period of Game 3, swinging and missing the NHL's top rookie with an elbow.

There's no defending the Wild's decision to give Cooke a $7.5 million contract to wear Minnesota across his chest. The great state of hockey deserves better than a coward who has repeatedly demonstrated utter disrespect for the health of fellow competitors in a tough, violent sport.

It's true: The Avs are not always angels. When Claude Lemieux shattered the face of Kris Draper of Detroit on the boards during a playoff game in 1996, I called for a suspension. Cody McLeod is a good dude, but when he blasted Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall between the numbers from behind this season, I applauded the five-game suspension.

Related articles

• Wild Forward Matt Cooke will get Destroyed in the Court of Public Opinion

Matt Cooke suspended 7 games by the NHL

Wild forward Matt Cooke has been suspended for kneeing Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie. Video: http://t.co/FmOyHriqkT
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 24, 2014

This is about the length of suspension that I thought he would get. Matt Cooke's history was taken into consideration, and as the video said, he has been suspended or fined by the NHL nine previous times. Now, we can only hope that the Cookie Monster has "finally" gotten the message and will not have any more of these moronic brain farts.

Related articles

• Wild Forward Matt Cooke will get Destroyed in the Court of Public Opinion
• (video) Matt Cooke Knees Tyson Barrie

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

Brad Marchand responds to the charges that he embellished

Personally for me, I think Brad Marchand is a great hockey player that does his job well. I love watching people get all spun up about him. It's hilarious. Did he take a dive, I don't know, I wasn't on the ice. Did he draw a penalty yes. The fact remains, Marchand was the recipient of a questionable leg-on-leg check. That is a penalty, last time I checked the rule book. What's the on-ice official supposed to do, not give Brendan Smith a penalty?

Marchand on twitter crowd doubting legitimacy of his pain after collision w/Brendan Smith: "Thats why they're on twitter and I'm in the NHL"
— Joe Haggerty (@HackswithHaggs) April 23, 2014

Marchand on injury on Smith hit: "I twisted my knee up a little bit when I landed there. A little scare there. My leg was kind of tingling."
— Craig Custance (@CraigCustance) April 23, 2014

Minnesota Wild: Breaking down Matt Cooke's Suspension History

Matt Cooke of the Pittsburgh Penguins. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I don't think people realize how many games and times that Matt Cooke has been suspended by the NHL. Here's a break down of Cooke's illustrious history and the number of games that he ended up sitting as a result of his bush league play. Like I said in another post, "I also have to wonder if the NHL's Department of Player head Brendan Shanahan already has Chuck Fletcher's cell phone number in is speed dial?"  I think it's just a matter of time before Cooke is suspended again by the NHL. 

2013/07/05        Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Minnesota Wild to a three-year contract.

2011/04/27        Missed the last 10 games of the regular season and 7 playoff games (suspension). (17)

2011/03/21        Suspended by the NHL for the remainder of the season and the first round of the playoffs.

2011/02/20        Missed 4 games (suspension). (4)

2011/02/09        Suspended by the NHL for four games.

2009/12/04        Missed 2 games (suspension). (2)

2009/11/29        Suspended by the NHL for two games.

2009/01/31        Missed 2 games (suspension). (2)

2009/01/27        Suspended by the NHL for 2 games.

2004/02/21        Suspended by the NHL for 2 games. (2) [TSN.CA]

Bellow, is a typical Matt Cooke play that happened during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Minnesota Wild: Matt Cooke to have a in-person hearing for his hit on Tyson Barrie.

Minnesota Wild forward Matt Cooke has been offered an in-person hearing for kneeing Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie. Details TBD.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) April 22, 2014

This is not going to end well for Wild forward Matt Cooke, he's going to get at least a 5-game suspension, and probably more.