NHL Playoffs 2012: Injuries Must Not Take Spotlight Away from Stellar Postseason

Whether NHL fans want to admit it or not, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are the only time the sport really enters into the national conscious in this country. So far, the games have been outstanding, full of intrigue and drama. That's why it is so disheartening to see all the focus on the injuries. 

Specifically, injuries and "dirty" hits have been the focus of the playoffs. You can understand why there would at least be talk about it. Just look at what has happened to Chicago's Marian Hossa or Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson in recent days, and things will become clear. 

However, to make the entire conversation surrounding the Stanley Cup Playoffs some kind of platform to discuss everything that is wrong with the NHL is a big problem. 

If you want to discuss whether the hits are legal or dirty, or the suspensions/non-suspensions are the right call, or why these things are happening, by all means, go right ahead. Just don't let it take up so much of the conversation. 

Damien Cox of the Toronto Star put things in proper perspective, writing a piece criticizing the NHL, specifically head disciplinarian Brendan Shanahan, for the way things have spiraled out of control for the league even though we should be talking about other things right now. 

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On a night when we should have been discussing Nashville's second-straight win in Detroit, Florida's comeback against the Devils or 39-year-old Ray Whitney's brilliance in a 3-2 overtime win for Phoenix over the Blackhawks, once again a controversial hit and injury took centre stage.

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In addition to those in-game topics, we could be talking about how wonderful the Flyers-Penguins series has been through three games and hope that the Pens find a way to win three-straight games to make sure it goes seven games. 

How about the Los Angeles Kings bringing back hockey to the West Coast thanks to their 3-0 series lead against the Vancouver Canucks, the NHL's best regular-season team?

Every series has something that we should be talking about and doing so in a positive light. Instead we are stuck wondering what kind of punishment is going to be handed down to these players for their actions on the ice. 

It is really unfortunate and does nothing to help build the NHL brand, which doesn't get a chance to shine a lot from October through March but really shows its true colors when the playoffs start. 

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