EC Playoffs Eastern Final: New York Rangers vs Montreal Canadiens

[Sainters7]

I find it bizarre that in this unprecedented era of awareness and enforcement of player safety in pro sports, that you're still allowed to slam into the goalie at full speed. At most, it's a 2 minute penalty if its severe, and usually its nothing at all. I played the position growing up so obviously I'm a little biased, but I just don't get how, in the same league where the open ice hit has essentially been outlawed, players can still blow up goalies at will.

I remember taking up this debate a year or two ago, and the argument against was "when has a goalie ever been injured from that?" Well there you go, it just happened, and removed arguably the best goalie in the world the past 6 months from the playoffs. I know in this case Kreider slipped and it appeared accidental. But this stuff happens all the time, we all see it.

I just find it interesting the double standard that occurs here, which IMO is all about putting as many goals on the board as possible, in the name of growing the game down south. The only "make the game better" off-season debate you hear regarding goalies is about making their gear smaller, or their net bigger. Nothing at all about protection, when that's become a vital league concern for every other position in the sport. If a goalie needs to get destroyed to get a U.S. eye-catching 6-5 game in the news, so be it.

/ biased former goalie rant

[Rubicant]

I would like to revise my initial prediction. Wow does that suck for the Canadiens, and everything seemed to be going their way.

[Samiz]

Oh god how I wish Dubnyk will start and win Montreal the cup with 0.00 GAA and 100% SV%

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Dubnyk winning, in ideally spectacular fashion, would almost be worth it just to laugh at Oilers fans.

As much as Canadiens' fans would be tough to take, it would be outweighed by the despair it would cause to Oiler fans.

And the hilarity of the spin doctoring Edmonton would do - the team and the media.

"It's further proof the Oilers have a keen eye for talent with a goaltender like Dubnyk"

"This should resolve any doubt that we are able to develop prospects into star players. Injuries and salary cap forced us to trade Dubnyk just as he was finishing his development. We always knew he was going to be a star."

"I won 6 cups"

"Rene Bourque will be our final piece"

[Matty81]

Said it at the time... Kreider should have been held accountable for his actions, dangerous play even if unintentional. Joke that he took out the best player in the series with a reckless play and didn't even get a minor.

It's a shame for the nhl when its best players can be injured like that with no consequences and it sends a message.. The habs would be stupid not to be in lundqvists kitchen the rest of the series.

[habernac]

Brutal news. I was hoping it was just gamesmanship on Therrien's part. Budaj sucks, I'd start Tokarski and hope for a miracle.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by habernac

brutal news. I was hoping it was just gamesmanship on therrien's part. Budaj sucks, i'd start dubnyk and hope for a miracle.

fyp

[bubbsy]

How ironically fitting...

Didn't Gallagher end enroth's season on a very similar type of play?

[Tinordi]

Crappy for Montreal. Hate to see a series pivot in that way.

[EldrickOnIce]

C'est tout

[HerbalMagic]

Originally Posted by Matty81

Said it at the time... Kreider should have been held accountable for his actions, dangerous play even if unintentional. Joke that he took out the best player in the series with a reckless play and didn't even get a minor.

It's a shame for the nhl when its best players can be injured like that with no consequences and it sends a message.. The habs would be stupid not to be in lundqvists kitchen the rest of the series.

Breakaways are dangerous plays now? You really think from the time he let the shot go, to hitting price he had enough time to think, oh hey i should just slide into him and take him out...ya that's what i'll do. Its mere seconds of time, you don't get a breakaway and not have the only thing on your mind being I want to score.

[Matty81]

Originally Posted by HerbalMagic

Breakaways are dangerous plays now? You really think from the time he let the shot go, to hitting price he had enough time to think, oh hey i should just slide into him and take him out...ya that's what i'll do. Its mere seconds of time, you don't get a breakaway and not have the only thing on your mind being I want to score.

If a breakaway was a dangerous play than 99.9999% of them wouldn't end without injury - not what I'm saying at all.

I don't think Kreider had any intent to injury, but I think if you high stick someone in the face accidentally you get a penalty and this is no different.

Kreider charged the net in a space where he couldn't possible stop without either, a) nailing the goalie or b) flying past the net and crashing into the boards. I understand why he did it in desperation to get a goal, but it was reckless and probably ruined the series, should have at least got a minor.

[Reggie28]

With all the cheap slashing and tripping calls, running into the goalie definitely warrants an automatic penalty. The ref does not have to determine if I accidentally or intentionally high stick someone. Trying to determine intent is a joke.

[sun]

Wow, big time loss for the habs and their fans. Can you imagine if we lost Kipper in game 1 vs the sharks in 2004?

[HerbalMagic]

Originally Posted by Matty81

If a breakaway was a dangerous play than 99.9999% of them wouldn't end without injury - not what I'm saying at all.

I don't think Kreider had any intent to injury, but I think if you high stick someone in the face accidentally you get a penalty and this is no different.

Kreider charged the net in a space where he couldn't possible stop without either, a) nailing the goalie or b) flying past the net and crashing into the boards. I understand why he did it in desperation to get a goal, but it was reckless and probably ruined the series, should have at least got a minor.

What was reckless was Emelin slashing at his legs and not even getting close to getting the puck which is in my opinion sent him off balance in the first place. Don't just blame this on Kreider who was able to speed past both Montreal defense. Look at Kreider's left skate he has it planted into the ice trying to stop and slow himself down, his right skate goes between price's legs.


http://youtu.be/3G4IdpqvYtM

I blame Emelin, if you wanna call penalties call tripping and give him a penalty shot.

[dammage79]

This sucks. This was supposed to be Prices year. Hve fun getting eaten alive in the cup final NYR. That is unless Tokarski comes out and plays balls to the walls.

[Resolute 14]

Therrien keeps changing his mind about intent:

Shawn McKenzie ‏@ShawnMcKenzieSN 1h Sat "I think it was accidental" Sun "He didn't make much effort to avoid the contact" Mon "Looking to the incident, it's a reckless play"


Loved Kreider's response though. Said the only thing he wishes he had done different was put the puck in the net.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

Loved Kreider's response though. Said the only thing he wishes he had done different was put the puck in the net.

So you're saying the Habs should take Lundqvist out?

[Nsd1]

When will the Canadiens launch the police investigation?

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by EldrickOnIce

So you're saying the Habs should take Lundqvist out?

Someone choosing to intentionally be stupid might think I said that, yes.