Evgeni Malkin Gets Elbowed in the Face by Braydon Coburn

If this was the regular season, this hit might get a look by the NHL's Department of Player Safety. During the playoffs, the DPOS tends to overlook unnecessary, dirty hits like this. Unless, the player on the receiving end is injured.

All series long, the Tampa Bay Lightning have been all over the Penguins, especially Evgeni Malkin. This time, the Lightning defenseman Braydon Coburn connected with Malkin's face.  The Pens forward looked like was a bit shaken up on the play. Malkin would return to the ice.

Jonathan Drouin No Goal

I must give credit where credit it due. The on-ice officials got this one right. Tampa Bay Lightning forward Jonatha Drouin thought that he'd scored his fifth goal of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, after further review, it was not a goal. If you look at the video, you will see that Drouin was offsides at the Penguins blue line.

Ryan Callahan Boards Kris Letang: Is There a Suspension Coming?

When I watch this video, I have no idea how Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ryan Callahan wasn't given a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct. If you watch the video, Callahan was very lucky he wasn't thrown out of the game for this dangerous hit on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang. I agree with Elliotte Friedman, this should have been an automatic ejection. I do think that the NHL's Department of Player Safety will take a look at this dirty, dangerous hit.

In trying to figure out why Callahan not ejected, this is probably the key paragraph in Rule 41. pic.twitter.com/Gn4R6vq3WS

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 14, 2016

But this part makes it seem like it should be automatic. pic.twitter.com/9PHL0pVtx8

— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) May 14, 2016

Palat Boards Dumoulin

In the waning moments of the third period, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Ondrej Palat was assessed, a two-minute minor penalty for boarding Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin. This hit was unnecessary. It’s what we call a push check and they’re very dangerous hits. So, will this get a look by the NHL’s Department of Players Safety? Personally, I don’t think this is a suspendable hit. It's dangerous and reckless, but it's not worthy of a suspension.

(Video) Brian Boyle Check and Game-Winning Goal

This is the game-winning that gave the Tampa Bay Lightning a 5-4 O.T. win against the New York Islanders. First, the hit by former Boston College Eagle Brian Boyle on Thomas Hickey, it is what it is. Then the great effort by Boyle to get to the blue paint and score the game-winning goal. Thoughts on the hit? Some don't like it. I don't think the league will review it.

What about the flying elbow by scumbag Brian Boyle on Hickey that led to that goal??

— Eric Salzillo (@EricSalzillo) May 4, 2016

So Brian Boyle gets game-winning overtime goal. Suspended for next game. Probably.

— Blog of Brotherhood (@MiamiHockeyBlog) May 4, 2016

Hit to the head and a goal. Yep, that's Brian Boyle in a nutshell.

And it's being reviewed?

— George Malik (@georgemalik) May 4, 2016

Game-Ending Dust Up: Red Wings Justin Abdelkader Turtles

Detriot Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader was real brave at the end of game two when he was punching Mike Blunden as he laid on his back. At the end of game three, Abdelkader was again out on the ice during a game-ending dustup. Abdelkader should have been suspended during game three escaped the NHL wheel of justice.

This time, Tampa Bay Lightning forward and resident tough guy Brian Boyle came looking to collect. This time, Abdelkader turtled. Luckily for Abdelkader, the ref was able to rescue him before he had his ass handed to him. Fans are already taking to Twitter to show their thoughts on Abdelkader.

Here is a closeup of Justin Abdelkader looking at @BriBrows22 pic.twitter.com/RpGelE1tXW

— Christine Gunn (@ChristineLRM) April 18, 2016

Video: Alex Killorn Scores the First Goal in Game One

In case you missed this beautiful goal. Here it is. Former Harvard Crimson and Tampa Bay Lightning forward Alex Killorn scored the first goal of the 2015 Stanley Cup Final. Time of the goal was 04:31 of the first period.

After scoring 15 goals in 71 games during the regular season, Killorn has now scored 8 goals during the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

This blind goal from the Tampa Bay Lightning is completely ridiculous. http://t.co/qsyhiNLj3p https://t.co/Buhee8fpeZ

— UPROXX Sports (@UPROXXSports) June 4, 2015

Stanley Cup Finals Schedule Released

If the Stanley Cup Finals go to game seven, we will be watching hockey deep into June.  The only questions we left to answer, who's going to be the two teams in the finals? 

Game 1 Wednesday, June 3
Game 2 Saturday, June 6
Game 3 Monday, June 8
Game 4 Wednesday, June 10
Game 5 * Saturday, June 13
Game 6 * Monday, June 15
Game 7 * Wednesday, June 17

* if necessary

'Hab' or 'Hab' Not? That is the Question

by Redwing77

Well, my Wings are eliminated and the questions surround their head coach prevail, but that's not really news.  What IS news is that Tampa Bay is on the verge of total collapse.

Yup.

Game 6 is HUGE.  Why?  Because I truly believe that Tampa has ZERO chance at advancing if the series goes to seven games.  ZERO.

For this reason, Game 6 is must watch.

The series has been  a roller coaster.  We've seen Carey Price play like he's the most overrated overhyped goaltender in NHL History and then, next thing you know, he's invincible.  We've seen Bishop play above his head, and then suck in such epic fashion that you wonder how he even got a pro contract.  And the Montreal power play?  Maybe that's the key to the whole thing.  COMPLETE NON FACTOR in the first three games.

In fact, one may argue that the Montreal Power Play benefited Tampa!

In any case, apart from that, I think the only other item that jumped out to me in this series is that Andrej Sustr is a hot-headed liability.  Montreal's power play is back running and Carey Price continues to be epic, so Tampa Bay isn't going to be able to take careless penalties anymore.

My prediction?  I still believe Tampa can finish Montreal off.  But I'm not betting on Tampa beyond Game 6.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Tyler Johnson's Buzzer Beater Puts Habs on the Brink

The Tampa Bay Lightning have pushed the Montreal Canadiens to the Brink of elimination when Lightning forward Tyler Johnson scored the game-winning goal at the one-second mark of the third period.

I must say that I am shocked. I thought that the Habs would have put up a bigger fight in this series. All the games that I have watched in this series have been exciting and full of action.

:-) pic.twitter.com/YysYOlC1JI

— Callum Fraser (@CallumFraser18) May 7, 2015

Odds for the Stanley Cup

Odds to win the 2015 Stanley Cup

New York Rangers                     13/4 

Chicago Blackhawks                 4/1 

Anaheim Ducks                         9/2 

Minnesota Wild                         11/2 

Montreal Canadiens                   13/2 

Tampa Bay Lightning                 15/2 

Washington Capitals                  9/1 

Calgary Flames                         12/1 

The odds to win the Stanley Cup come from Bovada,

Kronwall faces Player Safety hearing

It looks like Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall might have finally earned himself a suspension after this hit on Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov.  I think that Kronwall might not be able to get out of this one.

NHL Department of Players Safety -- Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall will have a telephone hearing Tuesday with the NHL Department of Player Safety for a hit against Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov during Game 6 of the Eastern Conference First Round at Joe Louis Arena on Tuesday.

Kucherov was hit by Kronwall at 19:00 of the second period. No penalty was assessed on the play and Kucherov remained in the game.

The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: charging/illegal check to the head. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.

Kucherov gets Kronwalled

The hit of the night. Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall steamrolls Tampa Bay forward Nikita Kucherov. Get off the track if you don't want to get run over. I guess you could make the argument that Kronwall hits Kucherov in the chops with his elbow. That being said, I see nothing wrong with this hit.

Wild Hockey, Nope! Tampa Bay Lightning and Detroit Red Wings Scrum

Thank God that the Minnesota Wild and St. Louis Blues game didn't start till 2:20 p.m. CT. About 2:30 into the game, the Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning were exchanging pleasantries. #BecauseItsThePlayoffs

Game 2! Let's Go! #STLvsMIN »»📱#mnwild & @mnwildLIVE | 📻 @KFAN1003 | 📺 @NBC
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) April 18, 2015

Redwing77's Bracket

by Redwing77

Redwing77's Stanley Cup Bracket

Goon posted his Bracket Challenge and I'm going to post mine.  I admit to being a bit homer with my Wings and I did post a major upset in the first round.  Sorry Habs fans.  Carey Price seems to actually be a good goaltender and he has chilled from his early career chumpiness.  However, the Habs have had abysmal luck against Ottawa this year.  And, quite honestly, I'd like to throw out a small bone to former Bowling Green State University goaltender, Andrew Hammond.

All in all, however, I think the entire bracket is irrelevant because I truly believe the Rangers are simply going to steamroll anyone they meet and take it all.  I put Chicago in the Finals because Crawford seems to actually play like an elite goaltender when he gets into the playoffs....sometimes anyways.  I believe Dubnyk's insane run ends vs. Oshie and the Blues.  Halak's stumbling continues in the playoffs.  Fleury sieves hardcore before the buzzsaw known as the Rangers.  Honestly, whoever wins the Detroit vs. Tampa series will face the Rangers in the EC Finals.

If my bracket holds together (which any betting man would bet against it), the series to watch will be the Blues vs. Wild, Chicago vs. Nashville (goaltending vs. offense really), and ALL of the Rangers games.  I think the entire Anaheim subbracket is the most boring bracket.

Original Six wins again.

Ben Bishop's goalie mask

Sickest Tendy Masks http://t.co/bJgLGq4uRS4). Ben Bishop's Mask pic.twitter.com/58v1Qj7SIL
— Goalie Humor (@GoalieHumor) July 20, 2014

This is one sweet goalie mask.

Ryan Malone 'baffled' at cocaine find

#476522429 / gettyimages.com

Ryan Malone’s story doesn’t pass the smell test. Seriously, I am sure drugs just jumped into this back pocket or someone happened to pass by and stashed the contraband in his back pocket. Frankly, this is a disappointing story. Ryan Malone now looks just as stupid as the criminal element on the television show COPS.

Joe Smith, Tampa Bay Times — When a Tampa police officer pulled a bag of cocaine out of Ryan Malone's back pocket during an April 11 DUI arrest, the then-Lightning wing appeared stunned.

"Oh my God," he told officer Andrew Visser.

Malone, 34, waived his Miranda rights and told Visser he didn't know where the 1.3 grams of cocaine came from, according to discovery documents the Tampa Bay Times received Tuesday through a public records request.

Malone told Visser he didn't believe the officer planted the drugs on him, according to the documents, but he was "baffled" because he was wearing the same jeans for three days.

"I asked where it came from," Visser wrote in his report. "And he said he was just shocked."

Malone, who is facing charges of DUI and cocaine possession, could work out a plea deal at his next court date, Aug. 19. Malone, riding with a female friend and his brother, was pulled over after he struck a curb on W Platt Street. Malone initially refused a field sobriety test but submitted to a blood alcohol test at booking (0.112 and 0.116); the state presumes impairment at 0.08.

Word of advice, if you’re pulled over by the cops and they find something illegal on you or in your can, keep your mouth shut. Or better yet, don't get involved in illegal activity. I would imagine that he Saint Cloud State University is real proud of their former Husky.

Brendan O'Donnell Goes Camping

#484200993 / gettyimages.com

Sounds like UND forward Brendan O'Donnell is doing alright at the Tampa Bay Lightning development camp. Hopefully a healthy O'D will be impressing the UND faithful this season. O'Donnell has been slowed by injury the last couple of seasons.

Joe Smith, Tampa Bay Times -- Then, LW Brendan O'Donnell helped finish it off, smashing the glass with another shot.

It was fitting, considering the duo had breakthrough performances during the three-on-three tournament at the Lightning's development camp, helping lead Team Filppula to the championship on the final day Sunday in front of a standing-room-only crowd.

O'Donnell, 22, a senior at North Dakota next season, led the two-day round-robin competition with eight goals, and Costello, 24, a Notre Dame senior last season, had seven, with a camp-high-matching 13 points.

Combined with 2014 first-round draft pick D Anthony DeAngelo (six goals, seven assists), '14 pick C Brayden Point (four goals, five assists) and late addition D Dylan Blujus (wining shootout goal in the semifinals), Team Filppula went undefeated and playfully celebrated with the trophy like it was the Stanley Cup.

Because it's the Stanley Cup Playoffs

#BecauseItsTheCup pic.twitter.com/sVlYUG0JY9
— CellyHard (@CellyHard) April 18, 2014

Every year, I tell my wife I will see you in June when the playoffs are over.

Steve Stamkos goal GIF

Nice goal by Steven Stamkos... It was the game tying goal. Click on the GIF to get it to move.