This has to stop

*Thanks to Boston Globe for image*

Bruins watched as their playoff chances were carried off the ice last night in a stretcher. Late in the third period, during a 2-1 game, Marc Savard took an absolute cheap shot to the head while shooting from the top of the slot from Penguins Matt Cooke. As you can see from the video (bottom of the article) notorious scum-bag Cooke, leans his shoulder into the head Savard while he is sliding backwards in the slot, well after the shot had been taken. Cooke received no penalty for the hit.

Let me emphasize my point: THERE HAS TO BE AN END TO HITS LIKE THIS.

This will most certainly be a pressing topic at the NHL's 30 general managers meeting this week. But most likely the rule on headshots and concussions wont be altered until next season, if at all.

OK, I understand that if a rule against blind-side hits is established then players would find a way to exploit it. But take into account those who are protected versus those who would suffer from the rule. This would diminish the role of the enforcer on the ice, the most despicable player on the team. Sure, there might be few more suspensions thrown around, but it would absolutely decrease the amount of pointless injuries from cheap shots as well as create a much needed guideline for what is acceptable in the NHL.

Bruins head coach, Claude Julien, wants serious action taken against Cooke:

(From Bruins Blog)
A guy like that has to be suspended. That's the way I see it, because it's an elbow to the head from the blind side. That's exactly the examples they show of what we've got to get out of this game. We have a guy who's got a concussion. Our best player. He's going to be out for a while. He was [unconscious] on the ice for a bit. That's unacceptable.

NHL officials are expected to have their opinion announced by this afternoon.

Bruins slide out of playoff position...

After last years regular season domination, no one thought the Bruins would fall so low that they'd be bumping elbows with the bottom dwellers. Alas, the time has come. The B's stand 10th in the Eastern conference with 54 points, the same number as the Islanders....ouch. Who or what is to blame due to the recent 1-7-1 slide? On offense they have struggled to convert power plays. In the past 7 games they did not score a single power play goal and currently are last in the NHL in goals scored. Blame the injuries maybe? No Marco Sturm, Steve Begin and most damaging Marc Savard. Not according to NESN's reporter Kathryn Tappert:

The injuries? It’s part of the game. The Bruins, believe it or not, are among the league’s best for man games lost. Heading into Sunday’s game against Carolina, Boston was ranked 24th among the 30 NHL teams. Translation: 23 other teams in the league have more bumps and bruises and players missing due to injuries than the Boston Bruins. No excuses.

Tim Thomas is doing all he can, although is having a sub-par season in comparison to last year. He ranks 16th of all goalies in the NHL with saves. While back up goalie Tukka Rask has a save percentage of .925. Pretty good, but sees a significant less amount of ice time.

Numbers only go so far, if the team morale is down in the dumps they wont play well. Tim Thomas said this after Saturday's loss to Ottawa:

Maybe ‘frustrated’ is not the right word. It’s part of it. You know, I’m disappointed. I think as an overall effort from the team, we gave a real good effort. We’re just not getting the results that we need to.

What's eating this promising team full of potential? Whatever it may be, hopefully it will be shaken off soon and they bounce back into playoff contention.