I'm pissed and frustrated that the Sabres have to, yet again, overcome injuries to their best players. I have refrained from commenting for 24 hours so that I could post with a clear head.

Boychuk's hack was basically the same as Ovechkin's hit to Campbell. He didn't cause the injury, but he caused the crash into the boards that caused the injury. Either way it was a dangerous and dirty play. We don't normally comment on hacks like that because normally they don't send players into the boards at near full speed and cause a serious injury. This one did, and yet again an NHL team has to suffer through the most important part of their season without one of their best players because of a play that should not happen. That is a play that deserves discipline just like Ovechkin's play, because sending a player into the boards at near full speed is reckless.

Trying to say that "it was just a slash that didn't cause the ankle injury" is like saying, "I just pushed him on the shoulder, it wasn't my fault he fell over the ledge and died on the ground because I didn't even touch him where his bones were broken".

Sending players crashing into the boards is dangerous, plain and simple, and that type of play should be subject to discipline. This type of play should be an easier issue for the league, since Boychuk actually did commit a penalty (two actually) in the process. But it will fall into the "oh by the way" category, and another player that the league should want on the ice during it's showcase time of year will be gone and seriously hurt that team's chances of winning.

This opinion has nothing to do with being a Sabres fan either. It just makes it hurt more after the injuries to Miller and Vanek that assisted in keeping them out of the playoffs last year. As for other players stepping up, this is always a nice way for people to sound tough, resilient, and unaccpeting of excuses. That stuff is good up until a point. When teams are missing three top forwards (ok not really Stafford, but whatever), the replacements can try their damndest with their best effort, but those replacements can't make themselves become as talented as the starters. It's just not possible, so just like Boston is worse off without Savard, Buffalo is worse off without Hecht, Stafford (sort of), and now without a doubt Vanek.

There is no way to replace that level of talent and goal production, and Buffalo has had their chances of success diminished yet again because of reckless and dirty plays. It happens all around the league, not enough is done about it, and it pisses me off.

lol that is ironic.
The knee is a well protected area. The side of the knee a little less but still better protected than the wrist, or ankle(unless they use ankle guards).

I think that riding a guy into the boards like that needs to be penalized somehow.