Quote:
Originally Posted by RJ8812
"sending messages" at the end of hte game was something that the NHL said would not be tolerated
glad to see the NHL has stuck with what they said concerning this incident
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So Shanahan should suspend Vitale for a clean open-ice hit? I didn't see the knee-on-knee, so I don't know if it should be reviewable or not, but there is no way that Shanahan should see the hit as anything but that. If Bylsma had Engelland, Asham and another tough guy line up in the 3 forward positions, that's one thing, but like it or not, Vitale hit Briere well within the rules.
That being said, I'm sure there has already been an extended conversation about what should be avoided next Saturday and the possible suspensions / fines if things get out of hand. If there's a repeat of the Devils / Rangers brawl to start the game, Shanahan will come down hard on the coaches and any player who instigates.
Much more often than not, when there is bad blood at the end of a game where the same teams will meet again shortly, the all-out war in the second game for which everyone was chomping at the bit doesn't happen. However, as Crosby said, these teams bring out the worst in each other, so there's definitely an added edge for things to get heated pretty quickly.
I say Laviolette starts next Saturday with Rinaldo / Giroux / Hartnell up front, Coburn / Bourdon on D and Shelley playing at the top of the crease.