I like what Lemieux said.... this was a chance for the league to come down hard and this style of play and intentional attempts to injure via shots to the head and they failed again.

I realize that the league doesn't want to suspend the "star players" because those are the ones worth watching.... but if guys like these get 4 games for stuff like this it only reinforces that injuring someone and losing out on 4 games is worth it.

Exactly!

I did have a moment of renewed faith during the second intermission. FSN interviewed Prospal from the Rangers and instead of talking s*** and boasting about his team winning, he praised the Penguins defense and goalie, admitting that even with their injuries they were a very tough team to play. That kind of sportsmanship and praise against a rival team is more in the spirit of the game, and I think that a lot of people--players AND fans--could learn a lot from that.

I heard comments from Islander's manager Garth Snow... he said he was PROUD of his team and that they had shown RESTRAINT... I wanted to vomit when I heard that.

Well, it's only the Islanders fans and organization that are happy about the game. The rest of the league doesn't think so highly of what happened. Everything I have heard/read since that game has been very negative towards the Islanders.

And I'm getting real tired of people comparing what the Islanders did to Matt Cooke. It's getting old.

Yeah. I mean, every Pens fan will admit that Cooke has made some bad hits... but he has NEVER gone after someone with intent to harm like that!

Oh yeah... and here is my view the night Johnny broke their goalie's face. Makes me smile every time I see it.

So... yeah... lots of stuff has been going on.

Thoughts on the new Headshot rules? What about Lemieux's proposal to raise the fines on the organizations and the players?

well, it doesn't seem like as much a rule as stricter enforcement. I was surprised to see Heatley getting suspended for the elbow he gave.

I was really happy to see Cooke get the punishment he got. I haven't liked him for a LONG time. He used to play for the Canucks so I'm very familiar with his antics. I really hope he changes because if he could play the way he does but stay within the rules all the time he would be even more effective.

My team is so close to being out of the playoffs. We're in 10th and have played 2 or 3 more games than everyone around us. I wrote the team off in November so I'm not surprised to be in this spot right now, but we made a huge push. Sucks that it's falling off now.

I do not dislike Cooke, when he is playing clean he is a damn good player... but that hit was just stupid and it cost us the game. I am glad to see them actually giving punishments for those hits now... waiting to see just how many Gilles gets next time he goes after someone.

According to a statement release by Cooke earlier he says that he knows that he can do better and he wants to show it with actions as well as words so that he can try and make it up to the team, the coaches, the owners, and the GM. He also expressed his relief that the guy wasn't hurt and stressed that he did not and has never intended to hurt anyone. I really hope that he is serious, because like you said he would be a much better player if he wasn't getting penalties all the time.

On a side note... I don't know if you have ever seen an NBC feed of the game... but I find that I cannot stand to listen to their announcers. They know the game from a textbook sense, and so they spend the whole time talking out of their... well... you know... and it drives me nuts!

yeah, the Canadian feeds are the way to watch games. That's the only way really. Anything else is painful.

Well, I don't mind the Fox Sports Pittsburgh feed that much because at least two of the three announcers are former hockey players, Paul Steigerwald at the lower level and Bob Errey at the NHL level. And even though they lean towards the local team they are very quick to praise good playing by opponents or to comment when we mess up. It is way better than the Fox Sports West feed I had back in California... those announcers were not as annoying as the NBC guys, but they still sucked.

I am a pretty big Sabres fan, so I am happy that it looks like they will get the 7th-8th seed...for awhile it really looked like they wouldn't make the playoffs. Also, I enjoy the sabres commentary...even if buffalo is as close to Canada as you can get without actually being in Canada XD.

I wish the Sabres luck against Philly, I would love to see them go down in the first round.

So, yeah... I move across country and all three California teams make the playoffs for the first time in history. Then they announce that round one is Kings vs Sharks (my #2 and #3 teams)... this sucks because I can actually afford Kings playoff tickets! Pens tickets are pretty much sold out already, and even the standing room only tickets are about $100. Looks like tv for me, unless I manage to win some.

So yeah, do we have any First Round bets yet?

Washington vs Rangers - as much as I want Washington out I see them winning 4-2.

Philly vs Buffalo - same thing in this situation. Although Philly has been slipping the last little while. Not as dominant as they were at the beginning of the season.

Boston vs Montreal - totally looking forward to this one. I know it won't have any of the big fights it had in the regular season, but it'll be fun to see this series. I see Boston winning because I think in a 7 game series that Montreal will get beaten up. Probably 4-3 though.

Pittsburgh vs Tampa Bay - I hope for a Pittsburgh win but I don't know if it'll happen. If Crosby comes back then I see an easy win for Pittsburgh. Without him I think they might lose. Tough to call.

(gotta run.... I'll be back with my Western picks once that side is decided for sure)

My picks:

Eastern Conference:
Washington vs Rangers... I really want Washington to go down as well, and the Rangers have the chance to do it... but more than likely it is going to be Caps 4-3

Philly vs Buffalo. Sabres have been playing well, and Philly has been slipping. Is it enough, I don't know, Philly still has an amazing goal despite the rest of the team slipping. I give a hopeful 4-3 Buffalo, but they are gonna have to fight for it.

Boston vs Montreal... bad blood with these two, sure to be a good series. I see it going Boston's way 4-2.

Pittsburgh vs Tampa Bay. I have faith my Pens will win, but I see this going six or seven games. I know we can do it without Crosby but it would be nice to have him back for extra power. Penguins either 4-2 or 4-3.

Western Conference:

Vancouver vs Chicago. Based on how both teams have played this season, I see Canucks 4-1.

San Jose vs Kings. This is a hard call for me to make, and not just because I like both teams. Los Angeles does not have the best record against the Sharks, but the Sharks tend to choke in the playoffs. I see this going to seven games... but I honestly don't know who will win. I guess I will throw towards the Kings because of San Jose's choking problem.

Red Wings vs Coyotes... dear gods I want Phoenix to win! They have done well again this season, and I am hoping they put up a better show than last time, but more than likely Detroit 4-2.

Ducks vs Nashville... ugh. Nashville 4-2, they have been playing well lately, and I think that might throw Anaheim off balance. That and I really dislike the Ducks.

okay, my west picks go something like this:

Vancouver vs Chicago - I see this one going 6 games but Vancouver winning in the end. 4-2

San Jose vs Kings - I don't see the Kings having as much of a chance anymore. With Kopitar gone I see this going 6 at the most with San Jose winning. They've been on a roll the last while. 4-1 San Jose

Red Wings vs Coyotes - As much as I want Detroit out in the first round I don't see the Coyotes beating them. Detroit is too good in the playoffs. 4-2 Detroit.

Ducks vs Nashville - I'm leaning the other way. I say Ducks 4-2. The Ducks have been playing really well the last few weeks and Nashville can't keep up with their scoring.

So watched the first game of the Pens vs Lightning... a 3-0 shutout is a really nice way for us to start the series.

yeah.... I've liked most of what I've gotten to watch so far.

Both Vancouver games were good. Glad to see they are likely to take out Chicago and actually have a good shot of going on a run to the finals.

I loved that Montreal beat Boston too. I can't wait for that series to get going again tonight.

I didn't like the suspension on Stoll but lack thereof on the other elbow thrown by the San Jose player. I thought the elbow was a worse hit.

Only thing that sucks is there is too much hockey to watch it all....

The part that sucks for me is that unless it is on NBC *shudder* or I can find an internet thread, I can only watch the Pens games... though I am glad I don't have to fight to watch those.

I got to see game two of Sharks vs Kings, which was nice... though Ben was not too happy about the Sharks getting shut out. Also saw the Detroit/Phoenix game on Saturday and the Washington/New York game earlier today... was really hoping that the Coyotes would come back and get the win, but they tried... and the Ranger victory made me happy. I really want the Caps to go down

Well, so far my predictions are not looking too good for the western teams. Detroit swept Phoenix much to my dismay and Chicago has taken it to game 6... I wonder if they will be able to come back all the way or not. I would rather they didn't but at the same time it would amuse me greatly to see Vancouver go down just to shut the NHL officials up that talk like they are destined for the cup just because they won the President's Trophy. The Sharks did that multiple times and never won the damn cup, so what makes Vancouver different?

Let's go Red Wings! Now you know my prediction for the cup. Karma came around on Cooke and I guess that upset some people, but that why people should play a clean game. These past few years Bettmen has let the game get out of hand, the stick play and head shots are nasty and far too common. And now that the NHL says they are calling it just watch how many players will turn into the boards while getting hit to draw an unwarranted penalty. Cowardly play is being rewarded while skilled play is being punished, even though the league starts every off-season talking about bringing more skill to the game. Over all the NHL need a new generation of refs that can actually keep up with the game and recognize the difference between a hook and holding the stick.

With the Pens out of the playoffs I am rooting for the Sharks. I have to say I am feeling a lot better about our loss now that Tampa has swept the Capitals... I mean, at least we lasted all seven games even if we did choke. Hopefully the Sharks do not follow suit because as of right now they are 3-0 against Detroit and I really wanna see them move on to face either the Canucks or the Predators. It would be cool to see them finally win a cup, and in their 20th year that would look really nice indeed.

As for the eastern teams right now... well... Flyers are losing and that makes me happy. I don't really like any of the teams in the east that are still in, so it just gives me more reason to cheer for San Jose.