GDT: Chicago @ Pittsburgh - Dec 20th

[langway05]

:hawks: @ ens: Preview

BLACKHAWKS (21-8-4) at PENGUINS (18-11-4)

TV: VERSUS (HD), TSN2

Last 10: Chicago 8-1-1; Pittsburgh 5-5-0.

Season Series: This is the lone meeting between the two teams. The Blackhawks have won the previous two meetings, including a thrilling 3-2 shootout decision last February.

Big Story: Despite numerous injuries to key players, including four centers, the Penguins continue to defy the odds. The team snapped a two-game losing streak on Saturday with a victory over the Buffalo Sabres and is fifth in the Eastern Conference with 18 wins and 40 points. The rash of injuries have made it imperative that others step up in different ways -- 14 players produced points, including seven with multiple-point efforts, in the win over the Sabres. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks have won five straight and led the Western Conference standings heading into Monday night's action.

 

[canucksfreak19]

This should be an entertaining game. Looking forward to watching some of this one tonight.

 

[MMarch]

What a joke, if that hit is legal.......

The Hawks lose a forward, and to make it worse they give Scott an instigator when he challenged Engelland and Engelland agreed, and the Pens score on the power play. When two tough guys talk and agree to fight and they both drop at the same time, it's not an instigator. I'll give the refs the benefit of the doubt on the hit, happened quick and maybe they didn't see it, but to call an instigator there was horrid and it cost the Hawks the first goal of the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bDhSKpl2F0

 

[canucksfreak19]

Hands down the Pens are the best team going right now.

 

[Brave]

Not in the 3rd period. Hawks are flying right now.

 

[MMarch]

Engelland gets 3 games, Hawks lose Kruger with yet another concussion.....

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=383354#YourCallTop

 

[Tom R]

I have no problem with the fact he got suspended for that hit. It was a dangerous hit, and there is no need for that in the game.

That being said, I guess that Shanahan is now using a spinning wheel device to determine length of suspensions. It would be nice if there was some consistancy with the number of games. I thought a game or two would be reasonable based on prior suspensions and the fact that Englland had no other violations. They say here, he plans to appeal the suspension length, and I hope he does. The league is really looking bad with all of the suspensions and the varying length of time.

 

[MMarch]

What Shanahan basically said without coming right out and saying it is if Engelland had prior history, he would have been suspended longer. Look at what Sutton got for a very similiar hit.