Dirty play doesn't matter to the NHL

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

So the NHL has decided to waive the manditory one-game suspension on Evegni Malkin after his cheap shot in the Stanley Cup Finals second game last night.

But honestly, can we really be surprised?

If the league is going to be lenient on such players as Scott Walker, do we honestly think that they'd bring the hammer down on one of the biggest attractions to this series?

Let's be clear - Malkin's actions in the Penguins' second-straight 3-1 loss was blatantly dirty It was after the whistle and happened with seconds left and deserves serious punishment. It's clear what Malkin was trying to do. His team has been punched in the mouth and completely dominated twice in a 24-hour period. Someone needed to do something to light a fire under their asses. Fine. That's easy to see. But there are ways to do that within the rules of the game. Malkin went outside those rules to try and send a message.

By letting it slide, the league is also sending a clear message - they don't really care about the rules if it means better ratings.

There's nothing wrong with good, hard-nosed hockey. But dirty, punk moves cannot be allowed. What is it going to take? Is someone's career going to have to end before the league starts upholding its own rules?

The NHL wants players like Malkin on the ice, regardless of whether they violate the rules or not. Why? Because they want the sport to be talked about and without superstars, that's not going to happen. But just wait until someone dies from a cheap shot. Then everyone will have lots to talk about.