I'm betting Kunitz will sit out the rest of the playoffs while Downie gets a stern slap to the hand.

Hey, I have low expectations.

Sit them both for the remainder of the series.

Whether it's one game or the rest of the series, my money is they both get the same punishment. That would be NHL-discipline-think.

What was Kunitz thinking? That elbow is indefensible.

Still shaking my head over the Kunitz hit? That is on par with Cookie and maybe worse given Gagne's history of concussions. I truly don't believe he's that kind of player but I would bet he sits the remainder of the first round and Downie receives the Rafi Torres, Macho NHL General Manager, Rule 48 award for great moments in charging without even a semblance of actually trying to play the puck.

Still shaking my head over the Kunitz hit? That is on par with Cookie and maybe worse given Gagne's history of concussions. I truly don't believe he's that kind of player but I would bet he sits the remainder of the first round and Downie receives the Rafi Torres, Macho NHL General Manager, Rule 48 award for great moments in charging without even a semblance of actually trying to play the puck.

Still shaking my head over the Kunitz hit? That is on par with Cookie and maybe worse given Gagne's history of concussions. I truly don't believe he's that kind of player but I would bet he sits the remainder of the first round and Downie receives the Rafi Torres, Macho NHL General Manager, Rule 48 award for great moments in charging without even a semblance of actually trying to play the puck.

Since we're betting

Two games for Kunitz and one game for Downie. The loss of a troglodyte like Downie really won't hurt the Lightning. However, losing "the other guy who can score" on the Penguins hurts immensely...

Downie won't get anything even though he should get 2 games. Kunitz will get 2 games even though he shouldn't get anything. The league had the chance to outlaw hits to the head a couple months ago but chose to do nothing. You reap what you sow Bettman.

Seth, your GIF is broken, but here's the Kunitz hit on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...r_embedded

Downie's hit on the Reverend was clearly dirty, but Kunitz's hit was just dumb. He extended the elbow (blatantly - how could anyone miss seeing it?) just to clip Gagne's head... Kunitz showed some Cooke-like lack of thinking there. I have to agree with you that both players should be suspended.

I'm still trying to digest the Torres-on-Seabrook hit from Sunday, too. I don't think Torres had his elbow high, and Seabrook certainly didn't pick his head up, so I guess it's all in your definition of "lateral or blindside" (to quote Rule 4. If what matters is the orientation of the body, Seabrook's legs and chest were aimed toward Torres, ergo clean hit. But if what matters is the head, then it was definitely lateral or blindside...

yeaaa so that smiley was supposed to be an "8" and a ")"... "(to quote Rule 48 )"

Anyone who thinks Kunitz should NOT be suspended is wearing a pair of the rosiest-colored glasses ever invented.

Step up and spin...
http://www.nhlwheelofjustice.com/

Both plays were hockey plays that went too far.

Kunitz's elbow, although foolish, was probably a reactionary play. I doubt he thought to himself, "I want to elbow Gagne right in the head."

People need to realize that the game is being played with so much intensity, it is difficult to avoid some of these hits. They will happen and the league will deal with them.

To suggest the league sit someone like Kunitz down (basically a clean hitter) for the rest of the series is ridiculous.

Not sure about the lengths of a suspension if they are doled out but...I do strongly believe that Kunitz is going to get more discipline than Downey. And that is a tragedy. Both hits were dangerous, although I believe Kunitz's was more malicious and premeditated.

Downey just got caught up in the heat of the moment and saw he could line someone up with their head down.

You guys need to start using NHLogic.
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Starting point: both players commited a dirty hit and should be suspended.
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A. Kunitz is a first time offender, but Downie has a checkered past of suspensions including a 20 gamer in 2007 for leaving his feet.
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B. This is the playoffs and we don't suspend star players during the playoffs, so Kunitz, being the closest thing to a star player in this discussion should not be suspended.
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C. Neither player hit was injured.
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D. It would be difficult to justify suspending Downie while not suspending Kunitz for similarly dangerous hits in the same game.
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E. This is a man's game and involves a certain amount af assumed risk. Lovejoy and Gagne should hae protected themselves better.
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Therefore: There will be no suspensions.

Premeditated? Really?

Kunitz went into the game last night with the intention of elbowing Gagne in the head?

Come on...

Well said Goat - I think you nail it...no suspension for either player. Now if only we can do something about that power(less) play...

@ Brian....he purposely stuck his elbow towards a guy's head who has a history of concussions. And you all want Crosby back to play in this dirty league?

Premeditated as in "I see this guy is vulnerable let me stick my elbow out and try to injure him"...c'mon. Don't twist words. Of course I didn't mean he thought of it before the game.

As far as Downey, he saw it as a chance to light someone up, not necessarily injure him.

Although he did leave his feet....who the heck knows anymore. If I was a player, I'd do the same thing...you don't get punished for anything. 1 game? Over the course of 82+? Wow. Harsh message.