Pens–Wings: Malkin's Fight Maybe the Difference

Malkin’s fight maybe the difference in this series!

 

The Pittsburgh Penguins, who found themselves down 2-0 in the Stanley Cup finals drew a huge sigh of relief after they learned about the decision that by NHL Headquarters containing to their star forward Evgeni Malkin.

In the dying seconds of Game Two Sunday night, a frustrated Malkin acted out of character as he started a fight with the Wings’ Henrik Zetterberg.

The big question that was being asked after the final buzzer was whether Malkin, who was assessed an instigator penalty, would be suspended for Game Three.

According to the NHL rules, any player who is assessed an instigator in the final five minutes of a game is subject to a one game suspension. About an hour after the game NHL director of hockey operations Colin Campbell said that there are various exceptions to the rule.

“None of the criteria in this rule applied in this situation,” Campbell said about an hour following the game.

“Suspensions are applied under this rule when a team attempts to send a message in the last five minutes by having a player instigate a fight. A suspension could also be applied when a player seeks retribution for a prior incident. Neither was the case here and therefore the one game suspension is rescinded.”

Tensions reached a boiling point in the final minute of play when Penguins’ grinder Max Talbot appeared to have speared Wings’ goalie Chris Osgood.

Right away there was a scrum around the Wings’ goaltender, which eventually led to Malkin, who leads all playoff scorers with 30 points, going after fellow superstar Zetterberg.

“I’ve seen a lot worse in these playoffs,” Penguins’ winger Bill Guerin who didn’t think that Malkin should get a one game suspension said.

“That’s just emotion. That happens. A couple of guys like that going at it, there’s nothing wrong with that. Two great players going at it, that’s fine.”

It’s been noticed this spring that Malkin has shown no hesitation in getting his nose dirty in the corners and as a result has the third most penalty minutes at 41.

Surprisingly enough the Red Wings’ weren’t that disturbed about Malkin going one-on-one with their superstar, who until Sunday night has never had a fight in the NHL.

“It’s not that big of a deal,” Wings’ goalie Chris Osgood said. “At the end, he was trying his hardest and everybody got in there and wrestled around. Nobody got hurt.”

This incident certainly inspired the Pens as they played more aggressive and consistent in Game Three.

Is it possible this Malkin fight could turn this series around?

Is this more of Malkin Magic?

Game Three went to the Pens by a score of 4-2. What will Game Four bring us tonight?