Brendan Shannahan, Director of Player Safety, announced four suspensions yesterday:
Washington's Nicklas Backstrom got one game for a cross check on Rich Peverly. Pittsburgh's James Neal got one game for a hit on Claude Giroux.Pittsburgh's Arron Asham got four games for his cross check to Brayden Schenn and Chicago's Andrew Shaw got three games for his hit on Mike Smith.
While there's much to be discussed there, there were in fact three hockey games played last night….
In New Jersey, the Devils jumped out to an early 3-0 lead prompting Florida head coach Kevin Dineen to pull Jose Theodore for Scott Clemmensen less than seven minutes into the game. The Panthers would get two back before the end of the period thanks to two power play goals. What makes it a bit more interesting is that both of those power plays were a result of extracurriculars gone awry and ultimately allowed Florida to pull within one with 40 minutes left in regulation.
An early goal in the second tied things up and the Pathers would score their fourth unanswered goal - another one on the power play - to take the 4-3 lead. The Devils tried to bring the heat in the third, but the defense on both sides of the ice was simply stifling as the Panthers took a 2-1 series lead.
In Detroit, the Red Wings and Predators were scoreless after 40. Rookie Gabriel Bourque was in the right place at the right time and aided by an uncharacteristic breakdown in defensive coverage by the Red Wings to give the Predators a 1-0 lead. The Wings would get it back just over a minute later on the power play, but in yet another lapse in coverage, Kevin Klein restored Nashville's lead soon after.
They'd tack on a power play goal in the final minute of the game for a 3-1win as well as a 3-1 series lead. As the party shifts to the Music City, the Predators have to be happy with their ability to capitalize on Detroit's mistakes and making the most of those opportunities, but they also have to be concerned with their lack of puck possession. Pekka Rinne is a world class goalie and while he thrives when he faces a lot of shots, there's going to come a time when he's going to need some defensive support.
In Chicago, the Coyotes won 3-2 in yet another overtime game and took a 2-1 series lead, but all of the talk after this game was Raffi Torres' hit on Marian Hossa in the first period. It was late. It was high. He left his feet and Hossa never saw it coming and apparently neither did the officials as there was no penalty on the play. In fact, as Hossa was being loaded onto a stretcher it was Chicago's Brandon Bolling who was being escorted to the penalty box as he was given two minutes for roughing and a 10 minute misconduct for going after Torres after the hit.
To say Shannahan is a busy man is a tremendous understatement as he has scheduled yet another conference call and will likely levy the NHL's eighth suspension this post season.
Today, we have New York and Ottawa and two potential elimination games as Philadelphia has their eyes on a sweep of Pittsburgh as does Los Angeles of Vancouver. This will be must see TV and you won't want to miss a second of it.
Enjoy the Games!
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Julie
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