Quoting: PleaseBanMeForMyOwnGood
The one thing that worries me about playing Columbus is guys like Anderson and Folino head hunting TO's stars. I am not saying they are dirty but they will think that being physical could give them an advantage and in such a short series that could get out of hand quick.
You shouldn't have to worry about that from Columbus. The Jackets may play a heavy game, but they typically do not take cheap shots. Any series with the Capitals is a concern. For obvious reasons. More often than not, we are on the receiving end of them in the playoffs (Wilson headhunting just about everyone) and the Kucherov hit on Nutivaara last year???
Any series with the Capitals is a concern. For obvious reasons.
I seriously think that the league needs to implement a mandatory rule for the playoffs that if a player injures another team's player on a dirty hit (any hit, elbowing, cross checking, boarding, kneeing, check to the head, etc.) in addition to the on-ice penalty, the offending player needs to be suspended for as long as the injured player is out or a minimum of 3-5 games. Otherwise, teams just target the other teams' best players and hope they put them out for the series.
Think about it, if the Jackets lose Dubois or Jones, they are probably done for the playoffs.
At least the Leafs have numerous stars that can pick up the slack and scoring if one goes down.