You Get A Suspension! And You Get A Suspension!
I take one week off and Shanahan has suspended half the league.
First of was the fiasco in the Bruins-Pens game last Saturday. The two things that came out of it was James Neal's knee to Brad Marchand's head and Shawn Thornton sucker-punch on Brooks Orpik when he was down (both incidents here). Since Thornton won't be suspended until later today, I'll just focus on Neal's right now and add an update when the ruling is official.
James Neal accomplished the impossible: he made people feel sympathetic for Marchand. That seems more medal-worthy. Anyway, what Neal did do is definitely stupid in kneeing a fallen player in the head. Should he have gotten more than 5 games? Probably (does anyone know if he was asked to go in-person or did the NHL just leave it as a phone hearing?) Out of all the suspensions this year, Neal's has to rate the highest when it comes to recklessness.
This wasn't the only game that Boston was involved in a disciplinary act. During their game against Toronto, Dion Phaneuf boarded Bruins defenseman Kevan Millar. This looks to be the standard hit-a-guy-from-behind boarding call that gets one an automatic suspension. The 2 games is fair, since looking at CapGeek's suspension page, most first-time offenders get 2 games for boarding.
Next up is Jared Cowen elbowing Zemgus Girgensons. On this one Cowen took a wrong angle and ended up catching Girgensons' head with his elbow. The 2 games seem fair, Girgensons was not injured on the play and the impact looked light (compared to similar incidents). I would guess that if Cowen decided to go lower on the hit (more hip-check like) then he wouldn't be sitting in the press box for a couple of games.
And finally (for now) Richard Panik boarding Karl Alzner. This one was called boarding, but it was different from Phaneuf's one. Panik closed in and hit Alzner as he was rushing though the neutral zone. Alzner had temporarily lost the puck and ended up chipping it in when Panik hit him from behind and into the boards. Again, the 2 games Panik got was fair. He is a first time offender, and Alzner did change his positioning when he tried to regain/dump the puck, leading to Panik hitting him more in the back than in the shoulder.
As for the SotW winner, it has to go to James Neal. He got the most games (5) for an act rarely seen (kicking a player in the head).
UPDATE: Two suspensions to add to the list.
David Clarkson hit on Vladimir Sobotka earned him 2 games. This one I do have an issue with. There is no denying that there was head contact, and Clarkson got a penalty for it, but the head didn't seem suspension-worthy. Sobotka was leaning forward on the play, which does contribute to his head being hit. If he was straight up then Clarkson more likely hits him in the chest/shoulder level and it's a good hit. I won't get too in-depth with my next point (I wanted to keep this short), but the current hockey culture of "finishing you check" does factor into some suspensions that have happened, yet goes unmentioned when it comes to judging a ruling. It would be interesting to see how many suspensions wouldn't have happened if finishing your check wasn't a thing.
The Shawn Thornton suspension was finally determined. The verdict: 15 games. It's easy to say Thornton should have gotten more (and I agree), but the 15 games should be no surprise. When Shanahan took over, gone were the days of random number of games suspended, and therefore the length of suspension. Since the Shanaban era started, only 2 players were suspended for double-digit games, and both times it was more a call on the players reputation than just the act itself (Torres and Kaleta are the 2 players). It should be more of a surprise in this era that Thornton didn't get under 10 games given that this is his first suspension. In the end the 15 games is on the high end for this regime, and might be for a while as there are not many acts more vicious than slew-footing a player and punching him while he's down.
Lineup Notables
Six of the seven Canadian team are playing tonight. SIX! Whats wrong Edmonton? Don't want to play on Saturdays anymore?
Calgary Flames vs. Buffalo Sabres
Calgary: Sean Monahan (foot) and Dennis Wideman (hand) are out. Karri Ramo might start.
Buffalo: Alexander Sulzer is out while Cody Hodgson is questionable. Jhonas Enroth is expected to start.
Los Angeles Kings vs. Ottawa Senators
Los Angeles: Colin Fraser (concussion) and Jonathan Quick (groin) are out while Matt Greene (upper body) is questionable. Martin Jones start.
Ottawa: Marc Methot (flu) is questionable. Jared Cowen is suspended. Craig Anderson starts this afternoon.
Dallas Stars vs. Winnipeg Jets
Dallas: Vernon Fiddler (upper body), Stephane Robidas (leg), and Trevor Daley (ankle) are out. Kari Lehtonen is expected to start.
Winnipeg: Evander Kane (lower body), Jim Slater (hernia), Zach Bogosian (groin), and Paul Postma (leg) are out. Ondrej Pavelec should start.
Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Chicago: Bryan Bickell (knee), Corey Crawford (lower body), and Nikolai Khabibulin (lower body) are out. AAnnttii RRaannttaa starts.
Toronto: Tyler Bozak (oblique), Dave Bolland (ankle), and Colton Orr (elbow) are out. David Clarkson is awaiting his suspension (at time of writing). Jonathan Bernier might start.
Montreal Canadiens vs. New York Islanders
Montreal: Rene Bourque (upper body) and Davis Drewiske (shoulder) are out. Carey Price is in net.
New York I: Lubomir Visnovsky (concussion) and Radek Martinek (back) are out while Casey Cizikas (jaw) is questionable. Evgeni Nabokov starts.
Boston Bruins vs. Vancouver Canucks
Boston: Marc Savard (concussion), Loui Eriksson (concussion), Chris Kelly (leg), Daniel Paille (upper body), Adam McQuaid (lower body), and Dougie Hamilton (lower body) are out. Shawn Thornton is suspended. Tuukka Rask starts tonight.
Vancouver: Alex Burrows (jaw), Jordan Schroeder (ankle), and Alexander Edler (lower body) are out. Roberto Luongo will probably be in net.
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