P.K. Subban Fined for Diving

It was only a matter of time before P.K. Subban was fined by the National Hockey League for embellishment. Now with the fine, Subban is now a documented diver. It will be interesting to see if Subban cleans up his act.

NHL.COM -- Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban has been fined $2,000 as supplementary discipline under NHL Rule 64 (Diving/Embellishment), the National Hockey League announced today.

Revised for the 2014-15 season following offseason approval by the League's Board of Governors and the National Hockey League Players' Association, NHL Rule 64 is designed to bring attention to and more seriously penalize players (and teams) who repeatedly dive and embellish in an attempt to draw penalties. Fines are assessed to players and head coaches on a graduated scale outlined below:

Minnesota Wild: Zach Parise Takes A Puck To Mouth In Edmontonb (Video & Vine)

The life of a hockey players is tough. It looks like Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise lost some teeth in this incident because he bends over to pick them up off of the ice. My mouth hurts watching this. Check out the vine embedded below, it illustrates this really well.

Philadelphia Flyers: Zac Rinaldo has been suspended for eight games

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Zac Rinaldo is a reckless player and I was hoping that his suspension was going to be longer than eight games. To be honest with you, I was hoping that Rinaldo was going to be suspended for 10 games.

Do you think Rinaldo's suspension is long enough, or would you like it to be longers, too?

The Department of Players Safety has levied some stiff penalties in the last week. Chicago Blackhawks forward Daniel Carcillo was given a six-game suspension for cross-checking Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault. Both players are repeat offenders. No this 8 game suspension for Rinaldo.

Philadelphia's Zac Rinaldo has been suspended for eight games for charging and boarding Pittsburgh's Kris Letang.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 27, 2015

Philadelphia's Zac Rinaldo has waived his right to an in-person hearing. A phone hearing will be conducted Monday afternoon.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) January 22, 2015

Related articles

• Philadelphia Flyers: Forward Zac Rinaldo on his game misconduct(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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Minnesota Wild to get an Outdoor Game

As I just said on @NBCSN pre-game show, expectation is NHL will announce this weekend outdoor games next season for COL and MIN.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 22, 2015

It appears that the Minnesota Wild are finally getting an outdoor game next winter. This is good news for Minnesota Wild fans. First thing that popped into my head: is there's going to be a college hockey outdoor game as well? I am hoping.

MIN's opponent expected to be CHI; COL's opponent expected to be DET. BOS, of course, will host MTL on Jan. 1 in Winter Classic in Foxboro.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) January 22, 2015

BLOG: #mnwild's Stadium-Series game could be the icing on a weeklong cake http://t.co/HLkcPJG4F3 #nhl #blackhawks #gophers #iawild
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) January 22, 2015

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(Video & Vine) Wild Defenseman Ryan Suter Elbows Pengiuns Forward Steve Downie

There used to be a theory that if a star player like Ryan Suter committed an egregious act on the ice against a player with a reputation like Steve Downie, he wouldn’t get suspended.

I believe this dirty, questionable hit is going to test that theory. I don’t like optics of this hit, either. I predict that this hit should get a look from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety. Downie was also hurt on the play. I am a Wild fan, but I can't defend this hit. Do you think this hit deserves a suspension? Thoughts?

Wild Struggles Calls for Change

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After a December to forget, the Minnesota Wild still are carrying their struggles into the new year after two more losses to San Jose and Chicago. One may think it is time to make some kind of change, but where that is the question?

You can first point the finger at the goaltending as of late. Between Darcy Kuemper and Niklas Backstrom, the two have combined for the second worst save percentage in the entire NHL. Whether they find a goalie through free agency, or they make a trade for one, and hopefully soon, the goalies need to step up, or step back for some new blood in the line up. What they are doing now does not seem to be working too well.

What options are available you might ask? Two goalies come to mind right away for me. James Reimer out of Toronto and Cam Ward out of Carolina. Both of these goalies are proven number one goalies and both would not be that expensive to get either. Also don't forget that Cam Ward is a Stanley Cup winner as well.

One can not forget about Anti Raanta in Chicago either. Corey Crawford is the solid number one there and Raanta is nearing the end of his contract. His .944 save percentage might just be what the Minnesota Wild need in the blue paint to make that push for the playoffs.

A big defenseman is also something that needs to be looked at in the Wild line-up as well. This is a team that lacks grit and a physical presence throughout the line-up, but who to get, that's the other question?

Both Mike Greene out of Washington and Paul Martin out of Pittsburgh are UFA's at the end of the upcoming season and both would be a solid veteran presence on the blue line for the stretch run. Aside from that, there really is not much to expect from a possible trade stand point as of right now to address the lack of veteran presence on the blue line for the Wild.

Finally, the lack of chemistry throughout the forward line-up seems to be a big issue as well. Thomas Vanek can not seem to click with anyone, making his signing seem like one that was wasted by the franchise. Also Jason Pominville can not seem to get going this season either. Now I don't know what happened, but for as talented as the forward roster is, you would think goals would be coming a bit easier than what they are getting right now.

Something needs to change, and very fast for this struggling Minnesota Wild team, or it is gonna leave many experts, and fans alike frustrated, and scratching their heads because this is a team that should easily make the playoffs this season, but are a team that probably will not as of right now.

Boston Bruins: Patrice Bergeron's Controversial Game-Winning Goal (Video)

I think that the on-ice officials made the right call in this situation. I think Patrice Bergeron's stick was below the cross bar when the puck touched his stick. Nonetheless, this was a hard all to make and I am glad that I am not the official that had to make this call tonight. As you can see in another blog post, the refs blew the call earlier in the night on Craig McAdam's no-goal.

...and there you go. Ruling conclusive that puck hit the stick below the crossbar. #Bruins win in OT vs. #Pens
— Scouting The Refs (@ScoutingTheRefs) January 8, 2015

In 100% honesty, they got it right. Bergeron's stick was moving downward, and was at, or below the cross bar when the puck was deflected.
— Andy Dudones (@ADudones) January 8, 2015

Boston Bruins: Riley Smith Disallowed Goal (Video)

Doesn't take many views of this video to conclude that this was a blown call. There's no reason that Boston Bruins forward Riley Smith's goal shouldn't have counted. There was no interference with the Buffalo Sabres goalie.

(Video) Clayton Stoner Hit On Max Pacioretty

I was watching the video on this play and I am still wondering why Anaheim Ducks defenseman Clayton Stoner wasn't given a major penalty for this hit on Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty? You can break a guys neck with a hit like this. Should this have been a major penalty?

Clean hit. Period. - Canadiens' Pacioretty hospitalized after Clayton Stoner hit - NHL on CBC Sports http://t.co/2PIDaYg6Yu
— TheBieser (@thebieser) December 19, 2014

(Video) Ryan Getzlaf Embelishment Penalty

This is totally unacceptable. Again, I am all for fining, punishing and suspending players that embellish to draw penalties. In my humble opinion, diving cheapens the game of hockey and is bad sportsmanship. In this case, you could probably stop some of the embellishment if you just penalized the player diving.

What I don't understand is why the officials don't just take one player? Is it necessary to penalize Dion Phaneuf? Why not just penalize Ryan Getzlaf in this instance?

02:10 TOR Dion Phaneuf Tripping against Ryan Getzlaf
02:10 ANA Ryan Getzlaf Embellishment against Dion Phaneuf

Nick Bjugstad's Sick Shootout Goal

Former Minnesota Golden Gopher Nick Bjugstad scores a sick game-wining shootout goal for the Florida Panthers against the Washington Capitals. The shootout in question went 20 rounds before the Panthers ended up winning the game.

Wild Defenseman Marco Scandella Has Hearing for Hit on Brock Nelson

I said this last night (See Below) that Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella did learn much from being fined. I think that Scandella will end up being suspended for his hit on Brock Nelson. Apparently, he has a thing for former UND hockey players.

Minnesota defenseman Marco Scandella will have a hearing this evening for an illegal check to the head of NY Islanders forward Brock Nelson.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 10, 2014

Scandella didn't learn much from his fine. I think the NHL "could" give him a one game vacation.
— Eric J. Burton THW (@goon48) December 10, 2014

Related articles

• Marco Scandella Hit on TJ Oshie(ndgoon.blogspot.com)

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(Video) Matt Martin Hit on Keith Ballard

"It's a dirty vicious hit, up high, he put Ballard into the Glass," Minnesota Wild color commentator Mike Greenlay said.

You can decide for yourself what you think of the hit. I agree with Wes Walz, it's a questionable hit. It's in the grey area. The thing that might do Martin in, he came from a long way to hit Ballard and he was injured on the play.

If you watch the video, it looks like an elbow "might" have made contact with the head.

#mnwild Keith Ballard is conscious and has been taken to @RegionsHospital for further evaluation and observation. #NHL #isles
— Minnesota Wild PR (@mnwildPR) December 10, 2014

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UND vs. LSSU Game One - With Links

Scratches for UND: 5- Nick Mattson, 10- Johnny Simonson, 22 - Andrew Panzarella, 29- Bryn Chyzyk (Injury).

DDC's take on UND/LSSU http://t.co/oromPhp8Xh @siualbert @EricBoettner1 @UNDSID @SchlossmanGF @goon48 @t_red33
— Scott J. Stone (@stoneySioux) December 5, 2014

Brock Nelson Becoming Table-Setter For New York Islanders - http://t.co/LV9sC30xMh #hockey #THW pic.twitter.com/sJnXzLy2qB
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) December 5, 2014

NCAA Women’s Hockey Morning Skate: December 5th, 2014 http://t.co/t7hQHWS986 #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) December 5, 2014

UND’s Drake Caggiula’s has Month to Remember http://t.co/x3E0g5UVLt #THW
— The Hockey Writers (@TheHockeyWriter) December 5, 2014

Marco Scandella Hit on TJ Oshie

Marco Scandella is lucky that he only got a fine for this hit. A $2800.00 fine is chump change to a guy like Scandella.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Marco Scandella has been fined $2,755.38, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for an illegal check to the head of St. Louis Blues forward T.J. Oshie during NHL Game No. 351 in St. Paul on Saturday, November 29, the National Hockey League’s Department of Player Safety announced today.

If you haven't heard the news, Marco Scandella was fined for his illegal check to the head of T.J. Oshie in Saturday's game
— Hockey Wilderness (@hockeywildernes) December 2, 2014

Matt Fraser's Disallowed Goal

There's varying opinions on whether this goal should have counted or not. The Refs thought it was incidental contact. You be the ref, do you think the goal should have counted? I think it's should have counted, but I am Boston Bruins fan.

Nevermind - ruled incidental contact. No penalty, but no goal, either. #stlblues #OurBlues
— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) November 19, 2014

GIF: The waved off goal from Fraser (multiple angles) http://t.co/mm8HSm8muu
— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) November 19, 2014

Darryl Sutter, 'We never really had the lead'

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I love listening to Darryl Sutter's post-game press conferences. Personally, I love these old school hockey coaches. Sutter kind of reminds me of another head coach. Here's a sample. s/t L.A. Kings Insider.

On how he’d describe the 6-5 shootout loss to Anaheim:
How’d I describe it? Lost in a shootout.

On how “intense” the game was:
It was very little, quite honest. It was just kind of a pond hockey game. It looked like one of our preseason games. [Reporter: Seriously?] Very seriously. You want me to say ‘not seriously?’ [Reporter: Are you talking about just from your team’s end, that you weren’t happy with letting this thing get away, or no?] No, I don’t think we let it ‘get away.’ We never really had the lead. [Reporter: A couple of two-goal leads?] I know you define it by goals having a lead, but we really never had the lead. If it wasn’t for Jonathan, it wasn’t even close. They’re a much better team that we are. They proved it last year and they did again tonight. [Reporter: So what was lacking, do you think tonight? For the most part?] I don’t think we had much energy, much focus, much execution. We used a short bench. Too bad actually we lost the shootout, because then Jonathan feels tough, right? He stood on his head to get us a point

Phil Kessel's Goal Shouldn't Have Counted

This is one of the reasons that the NHL needs a coaches challenge, this should be a tie game, still. Check out this video, Phil Kessel's goal shouldn't have counted. The puck hits a player on the bench and comes back into play. It will be interesting to see if the NHL GM's finally decide to have a coaches challenge. That was only the fourth goal Kessel has scored against the Bruins in 28 games. Make that five in 28. Thoughts?

That is Phil Kessel's fourth goal in 28 regular-season vs. Boston.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) November 13, 2014

(Video) Dallas Star Punk Antoine Roussel Runs Alex Stalock, Sucker Punches Justin Braun

s/t to Kuklas Korner. I don't know about you, but I am growing tired of Dallas Stars punk Antoine Roussel and  his antics. First I understand going hard to the net, but this is bush league. The goalie has an expectation to not be run over. This is unacceptable. Then the spineless punk sucker punches an unsuspecting player that's not ready to engage him. Roussel has an hearing tomorrow for the sucker punch, I am thinking a five-game suspension for this clown. Feel free to chime in.

Dallas F Antoine Roussel will have a hearing tomorrow for a sucker-punch to San Jose D Justin Braun.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) November 9, 2014

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(Video) John Moore's head shot on Erik Haula

At the 07:12 mark of the second period, New York Rangers forward John Moore was given a match penalty for this dirty, dangerous, inexcusable head shot on Wild forward Erik Haula.

This hit is worthy of a suspension  and should land Moore a game or two vacation. Because this penalty is a match penalty, it will reviewed by the NHL. There is no excuse for this dirty hit.

John Moore's actually going by Haula, slows and extends elbow right into Haula, who leaves the game. Match's are automatic reviews
— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) October 28, 2014

NY Rangers determined to make sure Wild have no players left by tomorrow's game in Boston.
— Matt Kalman (@TheBruinsBlog) October 28, 2014