The Fifth Liners

After kneeing Brad Marchand in the head while he lay prone on the ice, Pittsburgh's James Neal now has a five game suspension to think about what he's done. Whether he meant it or not, only Neal knows. But in a busy week for the Dept of Player Safety, the decision was made that Neal had time to avoid Marchand. Although Marchand wasn't injured, it was decided that Neal would be assessed five games because of his history. That's the CBA at work again. More time for Neal to get that last minute Christmas shopping done.

I'd almost forgotten about  John Scott's challenge on Loui Eriksson  that earned him some quality time with NHL disciplinarian-in-chief Brendan Shanahan.  The seven game ban was given because of the illegal check to the head, injury and Scott's no history of supplemental discipline. Because no history is somehow worse than a history of bad hits.  Scott has already missed three games and will give up $26,923.05. This is more bad news for the Buffalo Sabres, who are currently last in the league, having only won two of fourteen games.