By now, if you've heard about the extracurricular activities that took place during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinal series between the Washington Capitlas and Boston Bruins. We've covered crying and low blows, but now we have to move onto something more serious.
At the end of Boston's 4-3 win Monday, Nicklas Backstrom cross-checked Rich Peverly in the face - his third cross-check of the game - and earned a match penalty. That's not good. Here's why:
21.1 A match penalty involves the suspension of a player for the balance of the game and the offender shall be ordered to the dressing room immediately. A match penalty shall be imposed on any player who deliberately attempts to injure or who deliberately injures an opponent in any manner.
As of this moment, Backstrom is suspended for Game 4 Thursday unless the NHL decides to rescind the penalty, which is what head coach Dale Hunter believes will happen.
“They give him a match, but I think the league will review it and rescind it,” Hunter said. “If you see it, it's not bad.”
What do you think? Is Backstrom's punishment justifiable?
Sports
Adam Vingan is co-founder and editor of Kings Of Leonsis, a Caps-centric blog, and is the Capitals Editor for SB Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Adam_KOL and e-mail your story ideas to adamvingan (at) gmail.com.
