NHL Player Safety

The past two games of the Penguins and Capitals has seen two cheap shots occur that have resulted in suspensions to the penguins, Kris Letang, and the Capitals, Brooks Orpik.  In both instances the plays were almost identical minus a difference of  a few tenths of a second.  However, the suspensions were of different lengths  With the current way the NHL department of player safety operates I am fine with how both instances were handled.

My issue lies in the fact that the NHL is so inconsistent that it almost seems like they make it up as they go as far as length of suspensions are concerned.  I think this happens because Player Safety tries to account for too many variables when they review hits like these.  The process needs to be black and white, its either a head shot and warrants a minimum suspension of X number of games for every player or it isn't a head shot and there's no suspension.  The  current system does not stop players form targeting other players because the repercussions are laughably miniscule. 

This starts with the officials, who were such sellouts to the notion of "playoff hockey" that in both instances these dirty hits were called 2 minute interference minors and both players stayed in both games.  The officials do this because, "they don't want to decide the game".  Just wait until teams top players get knocked out and are unable to play...they'll surely have "decided the game" then with their inaction.

The bottom line is the NHL either cares about player safety or they don't.  I'm fine with either, but they need to stop acting like they do when their inaction clearly shows otherwise.

Pens vs Caps

The Penguins will begin their Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series tonight against rival Washington.  This is the first time the two teams will meet since the 2009 quarterfinals, a series won by the Penguins en route to their 3rd Stanley Cup in franchise history. 

This series has the potential to be an absolute classic and one that showcases the games two best players, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.  In that series back in 2009 both players put on an absolute show and I am hoping this year will be more of the same.

 Its the hottest team in the league versus arguably the best team in the league and as a fan of the NHL I cannot wait to watch this series unfold over the next 2 weeks.

Conor McGregor Back in UFC 200?

After a bizarre week in the UFC that started with McGregor announcing his retirement from the sport, which was following be President Dana White pulling McGregor from the card at UFC 200, late last night McGregor announced via twitter that he is back on the card for UFC 200. 

There was a lot of speculation that McGregor was refusing to show up for his media obligations to promote his fight because he wanted more money.  Dana White flat out denied that as ever being the reason for last weeks events.  McGregor said in a statement, more or less, that it was about him needing to focus on his craft if he was going to have a chance to beat Nate Diaz at UFC 200.  The whole situation is very interesting to me because I see where McGregor is coming from.  He is coming off of the biggest loss of his career.  He is also fighting the same man that caused that defeat.  If he loses again the Nate Diaz, McGregor's star has a lot less lure to it.  On the other hand McGregor has an obligation to promote the event, just like all of the other fighters are doing, regardless of what he thinks he needs to do to be prepared.

If McGregor is in fact back on the card for UFC 200 I think in the long run this will create a lot of headaches for the UFC going forward.  I say this because if they give one guy special treatment, that means they will have to do the same for others and who knows where that will take them.

What Will the Penguins do in Goal for Game Two

Jeff Zatkoff's performance in goal on Wednesday night, filling in for the injured Marc Andre Fleury and Matt Murray, was nothing short of spectacular for a third string goalie.  This has sparked some conversation in Pittsburgh about if the Penguins should continue to go with Zatkoff to give Fleury more time to rest even if he is good to go.

I think that is the wrong move.  In my opinion the second Marc Andre Fleury is able to play he goes back in.  The reason why is simple, he is the best goalie on their roster and one of the best in the league.

The notion that they should rest Fleury even if he is able to play is ridiculous to me.  It is the Stanley Cup Playoffs, what are you resting him for?  He's already been out twice this year and hasn't played a game in two weeks.  The only thing resting him would do is build up the rust he is already accumulating being out.

Sure Jeff Zatkoff played a brilliant game one and it was an awesome moment.  However the reality is Zatkoff is the third string goalie and the Penguins will go no where in these playoffs without Marc Andre Fleury.

Stanley Cup Playoffs

Last night marked the start of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.  To me the Stanley Cup playoffs are the greatest postseason in professional sports for multiple reasons.


1.  The passion and drive the players display during the Stanley Cup playoffs is unparalleled.  There's bound to be emotion when teams play each other in 7 game series in a sport as physically demanding as hockey. Also,  the guys play through injuries, pain, and just about anything you can think of.  Example, Patrice Bergeron who played with a combination of injuries in 2011 that I honestly don't know how he managed it.

2.  The fans.  The fans of the NHL go above and beyond come playoff time and their emotion and passion for their teams almost parallels the players emotions in the games.  The whole environment truly embodies what sports is all about to me.

3. The Stanley Cup.  Unquestionably the most iconic and grandest trophy in sports, just look at the size of the thing.

With all of that in mind here's to hoping to seeing another Iconic spring classic in the NHL.

Pirates Look to Continue Hot Start

The Pittsburgh Pirates started of their 2016 season in impressive fashioning sweeping division foe St. Louis.  I personally was very impressed with all three of the buccos performances. 

I know a lot of people will say it is only the first 3 games of the year and to not think too much about them.  However, considering how last year went every game against teams like St. Louis will be absolutely huge for the Pirates because I think the Central Division title will come down to the wire yet again this season. 

The Pirates are in Cincinnati for a 3 game set with the Reds this weekend and hopefully they can continue to play well because beating up on the Brewers and Reds this season will be a necessity if the Pirates want to keep pace with the Cubs and Cardinals in arguably the best division in baseball.

A Tradition Unlike Any Other

Today marks the opening round of the Masters Golf Tournament, the first major of the season on the PGA Tour. 

Last year's breakout star and winner of the Tournament, Jordan Spieth is already off to a great start and looks poised to defend his title.  There is a host of young talent in golf right now all bringing a lot of excitement to a game that desperately needed it. 

The Masters is personally my favorite major on the tour and I'm hopeful it stays interesting the whole way through this year. 

Not much else compares to the back 9 on Sunday at Augusta National with a jam packed leader board.