Total Pro Sports – Preseason NHL hockey is back and although many prefer to keep it in second gear during these exhibition games, some players don’t know anything other than fifth gear.  One of those guys is Dion Phaneuf and last night Kyle Okposo found that out the hard way.

Just over five minutes into the second period, with the Islanders up 3-1 in Calgary, Okposo skated the puck through the neutral zone with his head down and the puck in his skates.  That was when Phaneuf stepped up and laid one of his patented bruising open-ice hits.

Okposo remained on the ice as the Islander players raced to get their hands on Phaneuf.  First there was Pascal Morency, who came roaring off the bench to get some revenge.  Okposo remained motionless on the ice for several minutes as medical personnel and trainers from both teams attended to him.  He was eventually immobilized onto a spinal board and taken off the ice.  No medical update is currently available.

This hit brought back memories of Colton Teubert‘s thunderous check on Jordan Caron during this summer’s Canadian junior evaluation camp.  Not only were they similar in brute force, but they both took place in a meaningless game.  Expect the debate to ensue regarding whether such hits belong during preseason play.  At the end of the day, when you get on the ice and jobs are on the line, expect the game to be played hard.  Those who do not often find themselves receiving a painful reminder.

With the Stanley cup final just about done as Detroit has opened a 3-1 strangle hold on Pittsburgh most people are left wondering what the hell happened to Evgeni Malkin. After watching game four it was evident to me that much of Malkin’s problems stem from the fact that Detroit is simply shutting him down. A roster full of Norris and Selke trophy winners has proved to be too much for the Penguin’s young star, and also the team as whole.

The last time I checked in order to score goals you have to hit the net, something which the Pens have struggled with in this series. So far, Malkin has only hit the net 9 times, with a total of zero points. Against Philly he hit the net 13 times accumulating 5 points. As a team the Penguins have been out shot 134 to 88 by the wings in the series, which is a huge difference.

It’s too bad really, after such a great season where Malkin established himself as one the leagues top players that he and the rest of the Pens have been so ineffective against the Wings. I think this speaks less about the Penguins performance and more about the Red Wings. They have risen to the occasion and showed the NHL why they are the team that will eventually hoist the cup.

For the Fans of Pittsburgh don’t be sad, the Pens will have a good team for years to come. They might not have all the same players together in the future as that is the nature of the new NHL but they will have Crosby, and his presence alone will insure the team’s success in the future.

As for Geno Malkin he is still an excellent pick in seasonal fantasy pools as he continues to grow as one of the leagues best players.