It's how it works in New England for one little team called the Patriots... I know it's not how it works in sports and I can't stand that part of it.

The problem is not that good players are on the field/ice... it is that good players get lazy late in games and put themselves in harms way.

Perfect example is Briere. When was the last time Briere took a big hit like that? He doesn't. He got lazy and was skating with his head down and got smoked. The blame is on Briere, not Laviolette.
- Flyers2821

Briere has taken several big hits this year. He got plastered by Volchenkov twice in a game earlier in the season. The game he was concussed.

Pittsburgh Penguins‏
NEWS ALERT: #Pens have recalled F Steve MacIntyre from @WBSPenguins. MacIntyre has appeared in 11 NHL games this season http://bit.ly/HkosVx


- Scottie Upshall

Didn't Mario cry when the Isles brought up Gillies for that game last year? Something about wanting to clean up the league? Hypocrits! How about starting in your own back yard, Mario?

It's barely a crosscheck. It was basically just a push.

You run that exact play 100 times and Crosby doesn't even come close to getting injured
- Flyers2821

so what was the point of pushing him from behind and running away?

Didn't Mario cry when the Isles brought up Gillies for that game last year? Something about wanting to clean up the league? Hypocrits! How about starting in your own back yard, Mario?
- DONMURDOCH14

To be fair, Cooke is certainly a different player this year. I imagine the Pens organization deserves some credit there, while Cooke himself deserves most of it.

Briere has taken several big hits this year. He got plastered by Volchenkov twice in a game earlier in the season. The game he was concussed.
- PLindbergh31

That was not a situation where it was an open ice hit where he is skating with his head down. It was a hit up against the boards after Briere got rid of the puck.

The reason Briere got hit in the game last week was because he was skating with his head down. It is that simple.

Players get injured in sports.
- Flyers2821

Of course they do, I'm saying when the situation dictates 99% of coaches take the key players off the field of play when the outcome of the game has been decided.

so what was the point of pushing him from behind and running away?
- Dkos

He didn't run away, he gave him a shot headed back to the bench. Who cares? Seriously. It is such a harmless play that people are over analyzing because it is Crosby. It is completely irrelevant

Of course they do, I'm saying when the situation dictates 99% of coaches take the key players off the field of play when the outcome of the game has been decided.
- PLindbergh31

And I am saying that I disagree with that premise in sports.

He didn't run away, he gave him a shot headed back to the bench. Who cares? Seriously. It is such a harmless play that people are over analyzing because it is Crosby. It is completely irrelevant
- Flyers2821

Over analyzing? Isn't that the point of Hockey Buzz?

This is such a misinformed post lol
- Flyers2821

Seriously though, this game is meaningless. I just want to get out of it without any injuries.. If the Pens start running at players with the intention of hurting them.. the Flyers will have to stand their ground because the League will not stand up to it's flagship franchise.

Over analyzing? Isn't that the point of Hockey Buzz?
- Dkos

It is not the point of hockeybuzz, but it is what it has become

http://www.comingsoon.net...xtraimages/hulk-still.jpg
Jagr smash Shrek.

Seriously though, this game is meaningless. I just want to get out of it without any injuries.. If the Pens start running at players with the intention of hurting them.. the Flyers will have to stand their ground because the League will not stand up to it's flagship franchise.
- Hextall271

I want this game to further set the stage for the first round. Flyers are 5-0 in their building and there is a big difference going into a series (mentally) where the Penguins have home ice advantage... between 6-0 and 5-1 in that building. Especially when the one win came two days ago. To me, this game matters.

Why exactly do you think that the Penguins are going to just be running the Flyers trying to hurt them?

Do you think any player on that ice wants to do something that is going to get them suspended for game 1 of the playoffs? Think about that.

Yes, I may be wearing the black&gold shaded glasses but I seriously doubt you see Big Mac out against anyone but Shelley. Asham and Rinaldo already have their feud brewing and even though Engelland could hold his own against Shelley, I think Bylsma doesn't want to risk losing a solid defenseman to someone who has absolutely no effect on a game hence the Big Mac call up
- nsm5050

Personally, I don't mind a fight between Shelley and Mcintyre.. settle the game down and play hockey. No runs at players aiming at their heads.. or head punches, no spears or slashes. Just play, get the game done without injury on either side and move on to the dance.

Any supplemental discipline for Orwiener?

Awesome to hear they locked up Grossmann

To be fair, Cooke is certainly a different player this year. I imagine the Pens organization deserves some credit there, while Cooke himself deserves most of it.
- eayost

Wasn't talking about Cooke. They brought up the biggest goon in the AHL for this game. Just noticing the similarities.

I want this game to further set the stage for the first round.

Why exactly do you think that the Penguins are going to just be running the Flyers trying to hurt them?

Do you think any player on that ice wants to do something that is going to get them suspended for game 1 of the playoffs? Think about that.
- Flyers2821

I think they may want to send a message similar to last Sunday. I can see them doing the exact same thing and taking out some flyers with borderline legal hits, behind the play etc.. I don't think the league will hold them accountable regardless.

To be fair, Cooke is certainly a different player this year. I imagine the Pens organization deserves some credit there, while Cooke himself deserves most of it.
- eayost

I'm sick of hearing about Cooke. Wow, you don't hit guys in the head anymore. That must've taken some real hard work.

Wow! An opinion on an internet forum designed for people to share their opinions. Which is what you've been doing all morning. What nerve!
- bodiva88

....gratuitous?

I do not think that word means what you think it means....

When a star player, the best player in the world, is cross-checked by a Brayden "I'm trying to prove that I'm a tough guy by cross-checking a guy with concussion issues in the back" Shenn, there's nothing gratuitous about any response.
- Prez_USA

here's something that might help
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/gratuitous

Didn't Mario cry when the Isles brought up Gillies for that game last year? Something about wanting to clean up the league? Hypocrits! How about starting in your own back yard, Mario?
- DONMURDOCH14

Nooo what? It's just like when Mario complained about head shots and then Cooke gave someone a concussion. I loved Mario as a player but this organization has had a history of hypocrisy as you say.

I think they may want to send a message similar to last Sunday. I can see them doing the exact same thing and taking out some flyers with borderline legal hits, behind the play etc.. I don't think the league will hold them accountable regardless.
- Hextall271

What makes you think that is Penguins players mentality but not any Flyers players mentality?

Good work ignoring the fact that no players are going to want to do anything to get them suspended from the first playoff game.

Nooo what? It's just like when Mario complained about head shots and then Cooke gave someone a concussion. I loved Mario as a player but this organization has had a history of hypocrisy as you say.
- Hextall271

How do you know Mario didn't take Cooke aside and give him a lashing for that?

Didn't Mario cry when the Isles brought up Gillies for that game last year? Something about wanting to clean up the league? Hypocrits! How about starting in your own back yard, Mario?
- DONMURDOCH14

Ok, but will you give me that perhaps Lavy shouldn't have had a scoring line out on the ice at that point of the game, as some may have said in regards to Bylsma employing his 4th line with little time left in a game that as you said was over. As a coach, I don't put finesse players on then.
- Doogs

It wouldnt have mattered if it was a scoring line or the flyers fourth line. The debate is over the timing of that type of hit.

But yes, personally I would not have had Briere on the ice. But only because I would rather have one of our 4th line guys out of the lineup instead of Briere. If Kyle Wellwood was the one who took the hit and now has "back spasms" the same debate reamains, but I would be more comfortable with him hurt than Briere with the playoffs right around the corner.