CFN – Don Cherry has to be loving this first round of the NHL Play Offs. I can’t recall ever seeing not only as many penalties, but as many stars fighting? Sunday both Sidney Crosby and Anze Kopitar dropped the gloves. A few suspensions were given out by Brendan Shanahan too. Matt Carkner sits the next game for his jump on the Rangers Brian Boyle who had been picking on Sens star D man Erik Karlsson. Carl Hagelin got 3 games for his cheap head shot on Sens Captain Daniel Alfredsson, and Shea Weber got a $2,500 fine for his head shot to Wing Henrik Zetterberg.
Sid’s gotta learn the rules of fighting though if he’s going to take shots at players. It’s also hugely not fair for him to even try to fight at this point because any player that gives him the beating that he occasionally deserves would be blamed for possibly concussing him out of the NHL. Chris Letang’s fight was wild and the boy can fight!
Vancouver had their last Sedin knocked down in a clean hit from Kings Captain Dustin Brown that led to Alex Burrows instigating a fight against Anze Kopitar. Again, not much of a fight; more of self defense for Kopitar. The Kings took a 3-0 series lead as Jonathan Quick kicked out 41 shots to record a shut out.
Dustin Brown scored his fourth of the play offs. Roberto Luongo was not in net. It’d be hard to see him back in Vancouver next year, even with his contract if the Nucks are swept in 4 which is what most likely will happen.
Nashville took a 2-1 series lead after beating the Wings 3-2. Weber, Klein, and former Hab Sergei Kostitsyn notched the goals for the Preds who are looking like a mighty strong team especially with Pekka Rinne showing why he got the big contract.
Florida evened their series with a 4-2 win over New Jersey. It was a tame match compared to the others with Stephen Weiss scoring two for the Panthers.
Philadelphia humiliated the Penguins as they take a 3-0 series lead beating the Penguins 8-4 in a penalty filled match. Claude Giroux really has raised his stock, not only fighting Crosby and earning a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, but lighting up the scoreboard during this series.
Jaromir Jagr quietly picked up 3 assists in the game; Briere, Talbot and Read each scored two goal and Ilya Bryzgalov, while giving up four goals, shut the door down after the first period.
Next up, the Rangers in Ottawa, Boston at Washington, and the Blues at San Jose.
What do you think Hockey Fans? Are you enjoying the scrapping in round one of the play offs?
