from Ron Cook of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,

At one end of Consol Energy Center, Penguins defenseman Kris Letang came out of the team room and stepped on the ice, ready to continue. Just 2:50 into the game, Letang went head-first into the boards after a cheap, vicious hit from behind from Lightning winger Ryan Callahan. It made you sick to see it on replay and was enough to make you wonder if Letang’s season — if not his career — was over considering his concussion history. You might remember there was speculation after he missed the end of last season with a head injury that he might have to retire....

Still, the Lighting is looking at Game 2 without Bishop, captain Steven Stamkos (blood clot) and possibly top defenseman Anton Stralman (fractured leg), although he has returned to practice.

Good luck with that.

The Lightning also should have to play without Callahan and possibly winger Ondrej Palat. Callahan, who, in addition to his five-minute major, deserved to be thrown out of the game for his brutal hit on Letang. He should be suspended for three games, but, because Letang was able to come back, seems likely to get just one game.

The NHL can be such a joke league.

Palat took out Penguins defenseman Brian Dumoulin with another questionable hit at 15:14 of the third period. Dumoulin did not return. Palat was given a two-minute boarding penalty but the league office still should take a look at the play and consider supplemental discipline.

Yeah, right.

more