NHL Playoffs 2012: Andrew Shaw Suspended 3 Games

Andrew Shaw has been suspended three games and had Mike Smith been hurt, he would have missed the remainder of the Chicago Blackhawks' first series. This suspension is mind-boggling considering Shaw's status in the league.

"

Mike Smith is uninjured and will play tonight. Had he been hurt...Shaw would have been suspended rest of series. #TSN

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) April 17, 2012

"

Shaw has been an exciting player to watch on the Blackhawks and doesn't have a mean streak. In the play in question, Mike Smith attempts to play the puck and Shaw cuts around the corner and collides with Smith.

The rules are clear that goaltenders are not fair game even though they are out of the crease, but this collision was nothing like the Milan Lucic and Ryan Miller incident that called for more goaltender protection.

Brendan Shanahan was a credible and well-respected player for over 20 years. In one year as head of the NHL Department of Player Safety, he has become a laughingstock. He failed to discipline Shea Weber for a clear-cut intention to injure Henrik Zetterberg and everyone else is now paying the price.

"

 

"

 

Now Andrew Shaw will know. It's best to grab the guy's head and slam it into something, or just punch him into submission. That's one game.

— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) April 17, 2012"

"

Until a star player faces the consequences, all of these overkill suspensions will not make a world of difference in how the league and its disciplinary committee is looked upon.

While you can make a case that it is the playoffs and Shaw made significant contact with Smith, based on recent suspensions one game would be reasonable, but three games is totally ludicrous and the merry-go-round of NHL justice continues to spin.

To make matter worse, Mike Smith will be in the lineup tonight as the Phoenix Coyotes take on the Chicago Blackhawks.

Shanahan's Playoff Suspensions By Length

"

• Carl Hagelin— three games for elbowing Daniel Alfredsson (first time offense).

• Andrew Shaw— three games for charging Mike Smith (first time offense).

• Byron Bitz— two games for boarding Kyle Clifford.

• Matt Carkner– one game for aggressing Brian Boyle.

• Craig Adams– one game for taking instigator penalty with less than 5:00 in third period.

• James Neal— had hearing(s), decision pending.

• Aaron Asham— waived right to in person hearing, can be suspended six-plus games by NHL if they so choose.

"

Brendan Shanahan also held no hearings for a high elbow delivered by Chris Phillips on Ryan Callahan and a questionable hit delivered by Brent Burns against the St.Louis Blues.

Had Shea Weber been properly disciplined and not fined a paltry $2,500 dollars, the standard for playoff punishment could have been completely different.