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.

Fantasy Baseball: Chin Music

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I've been saying it all along and maybe no one really heard me: Boston's Jon Lester will turn it around.

Lester, who came into the season as the ace of Boston's staff and probably a No. 2 starter on your fantasy team, has been a pretty big bust this year, but if yesterday's spectacular start against the Blue Jays is any indication, then Lester is on his way back to becoming the same pitcher that won 16 games and had a 3.21 ERA last season.

The southpaw was absolutely dealing versus the Jays. He worked six strong innings -- probably his best six innings of the season -- allowing only three hits, one earned run, three walks and 12 -- yes, 12!!! -- strikeouts. 

His stuff is no joke. When he locates his fastball and has his curveball and changeup working, he's one of the best left-handers in the game.

Although Lester is only 4-5 and still has an awful 5.65 ERA, now is the time to BUY on the lefty. He's not going to come cheap, however. 

While Lester hasn't been lights out this year -- he had given up at least 5 runs in 4 of his last 6 starts -- he's shown signs of being an ace. In his last start vs. the Jays on May 21, Lester went 6 1/3 innings, allowing 8 hits, 1 run, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts for the win. On May 4, he whiffed 10 Yankees for the win and struck out 9 and threw 7 scoreless innings on April 19 vs. the Orioles.

So his stuff has always been there -- you don't average more than a strikeout an inning if you're stuff isn't good. Lester's problems have stemmed from giving up hits with runners in scoring position and he's also been killed by the big inning.

Trust me, if you can land Lester fairly cheap, do it immediately. But expect to have to pay for Lester's services because we all know what he's capable of doing every five days. 

I think yesterday's start will get the lefty going and your fantasy team starting to climb up in the pitching categories.

BURN BABY BURN

Minnesota's Nick Blackburn is usually the third pitcher you think of when you mention the Twins (Scott Baker, Kevin Slowey), but you better know who he is now after the soft-tossing righty improved to 5-2 after beating the Rays yesterday. Blackburn went six innings, allowing two earned runs, one walk and one strikeout to lower his ERA to 3.50. Blackburn isn't going to help you with strikeouts (34 Ks in 69 1/3 innings), but you can't by unhappy with everything else. He's only owned in 10 percent of standard 5 x 5 Yahoo! leagues, so don't be afraid to go out and grab him.

BUEHRLE MAN

Chicago White Sox's Mark Buehrle is throwing like he did when he won 19 games in 2002. Well, that might be stretching it, but more like the same guy that had consecutive 16-win seasons (2004, 05). The lefty currently has six wins, a 2.71 ERA and 1.15 ERA. Based on where you drafted him, I'll go out on a limb and say he's been a steal so far. Did anyone outside of Chicago expect this from him? I doubt it.