Sports have evolved. But even if for the greater good, something has been lost. In hockey, it is the primal emotion of good vs. evil that prompted Garden organist Eddie Layton to play “Talk to the Animals” when the Bruins took the ice in New York during the early ’70s.

The players are better than ever. There is no argument to be made otherwise. But the game … well, the game as entertainment isn’t necessarily better than it was when there was an indelicate enforced balance between talent and toughness.

-Larry Brooks of the New York Post on "the art form (to use the term loosely) of physical intimidation." Read more on this topic along with other hockey notes.