There's no statute of limitations on a perceived injustice on the ice. It doesn't matter if you wait 2 seconds or 2 periods. If you drop your gloves and start throwing, you'll get the instigator.

That's about as pure a piece of conjecture as you'll see on a fan board.

You say this as if it is a given...and IF it IS a given, than I suggest you get a message to Lindy that he needs to remind his players NOT to fuck with the allstars in the league.

Tell me, out of curiosity, what should Chara have done after Gaustad caught him? If Chara was a Sabre (and tell me you wouldn't want him to be), what would you have preferred he do in response? I read all the time here how people want players laid out, run into boards, put out for the season, etc. etc.

What should Buffalo Sabre Captain Zdeno Chara do when the Bruin's Paul Gaustad slashes him from behind?

As a sort of reality check, whenever I take a position on something, it's only after I consider both sides. I think about what I would say if the tables were turned, just to make sure I'm not being biased and one-sided. Whether it's politics or sports, there are many who are only interested in considering the facts in a way that benefits their "side". I have never been like that. If Chara gratuitously clocked Gaustad (who I happen to like a lot), I would say he should be out, but that's not what happened.

*And, FYI, any reference I make to the reason(s) for the instigator rule are pertaining to the part that addresses incidents in the last 5 minutes, which is meant to curtail last-minute pay-back, vs. spontaneous fights that break out.

Why should the rules of the NHL have to be looked at and messed with, these aren't laws of life, they are the rules to the game.

So if I'm playing and something I think is wrong I'm gonna get a lawyer and get it changed because I want to play, NO, the rule is a rule in Hockey, don't go about changing the written rule because we don't have those guys specializing in the interpretation of the rule.

You instigate a fight in the last 5 minutes you should be suspended no matter what the circumstances are, not because the league wants to protect it's superstars.

And Powerplayer, don't deny the fact that if the tables were turned and Goose had taken the Instigator, you would not see a Goose in Game 6. Same with a Kaleta. But had Ovechkin, Chara, Malkin, Crosby, and the later players, you would be sure to see them in game 6, just like Chara is and when Malkin wasn't suspended either.

This whole make up these rules s we go in the NHL is bullshit, it's written down, it needs to be interpreted that way. There shouldn't be some sort of sub clause which allows you to just change your mind on it.

Why the league even reviewed it when the Bruins filed for it to be rescinded is what I don't get. If what Squanto posted about the Bruins are not allowed to file for it to be rescinded why was it, because there wouldn't be anyone else in the league to file for it.

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Yeah, Gaustad gripped his stick and two handed Chara. He's a little sissy.
If you get touched with a stick in your skate, you don't try to punch the guy. You don't do anything, because it's a little touch which is nothing. A rule is a rule. Gaustad did barely anything but people turn it into a big bad slash.

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"Counting all the assholes in the room, I'm definitely not alone!" ~ Michael Poulsen, Volbeat, Still Standing.

I'm pretty sure that the league would automatically review such a play.

PP, to answer your question, how would I have liked Chara to respond if he were a Sabre? Give a facewash. Shove him a little bit. Grapple. Earn your roughing penalty. Don't throw your gloves to the ice and swing away. Don't do what will be assessed an instigator EVERY TIME.

There's ways to respond without doing something stupid.