GDT #49: 2/1/15 | 12:00PM CST | @ Capitals | NBCSN/KMOX

[Kreegz2]

I was working during the game yesterday. What happened to Shatty?

He toe-picked the ice kinda awkwardly and tweaked his knee. No word on how serious it is yet.

[cardsfan04]

No suspension.

[ViPeRx007]

No suspension.

I didn't really think there should be one, yet I'm still surprised he didn't get at least a game.

[drwoland]

No suspension.

I didn't really think there should be one, yet I'm still surprised he didn't get at least a game.

I think we got pretty lucky here: it happened early in the game, so he was already "suspended" for a significant number of game time; Alzner was also not concussed.

In the end, the team pulled out a win in spite of Backes's absence, and we get him back next game. A rare nod from the Hockey Gods.

[cardsfan04]

I'm a little surprised too. I didn't think he should get one, but thought it was pretty close. I thought there was a pretty good chance he would get one.

[Portland Blues]

I'm on board with thinking he'd get a game. I know if he was hit that way I'd be screaming for a suspension.

[drwoland]

Yeah this really brought out some homerism in me. When he got tossed, I was furious, but then I saw the replay again today, and... targets the back, no real change in trajectory, drives all the way through the numbers with his hands/arms... Really is great that Alzner's not hurt, because that was a very dangerous hit.

[not_a_wings_fan]

I think Backes got a pass here because that should have been a suspension.

I think it works in his favor that he's a respected player around the league. He's a hardworking and physical player, but has never had a rep for playing dirty. It was a poor decision to make that hit, but not one with malicious intent I don't believe. The league must have seen it in a similar way or that would have been two games.

If he has any history of suspensions, that's a pile of games right there. The only thing I recall is the late but legal hit on huskins in 2013, otherwise he's been pretty clean as well as outspoken about reckless hits.

[theohall]

I think Backes not being suspended goes back to the jackass in Minnesota not being suspended for targeting Oshie's head. The league and the explanations we hear from the media are all about "protecting the players" and handing out suspensions accordingly. A Blues player took a blatant shot to the head and the offending player was not suspended until he did it AGAIN this season. Meanwhile, Backes has played tough, but he is not known at all for these types of hits - the argument in the case of the Wild player - and as a result was not suspended. That's my take.

I would ask Milbury, who was lobbying for a suspension in an intermission, should one have been handed to the jackass Wild player earlier this season? He probably would have said yes,

Anyway, isn't it interesting when Olczyck has to cover a game where he can't just brag about Detroit or Chicago and actually has to compliment the Blues play? He had to be sucking it up big time throughout this one.

[cprice12]

I think Backes not being suspended goes back to the jackass in Minnesota not being suspended for targeting Oshie's head. The league and the explanations we hear from the media are all about "protecting the players" and handing out suspensions accordingly. A Blues player took a blatant shot to the head and the offending player was not suspended until he did it AGAIN this season. Meanwhile, Backes has played tough, but he is not known at all for these types of hits - the argument in the case of the Wild player - and as a result was not suspended. That's my take.

I would ask Milbury, who was lobbying for a suspension in an intermission, should one have been handed to the jackass Wild player earlier this season? He probably would have said yes,

Anyway, isn't it interesting when Olczyck has to cover a game where he can't just brag about Detroit or Chicago and actually has to compliment the Blues play? He had to be sucking it up big time throughout this one.

Olczyck is awful, awful, awful when Chicago is playing. You can't even get close to unbiased commentary from him in those games. He was horribly biased in the Blues-Hawks playoff series last year...especially when commenting on the Seabrook hit on Backes. It would have been good to have Olczyck and Pang both in the broadcast booth to get someone from both teams in there. Panger is light years better than Olczyck anyway.

[theohall]

I think Backes not being suspended goes back to the jackass in Minnesota not being suspended for targeting Oshie's head. The league and the explanations we hear from the media are all about "protecting the players" and handing out suspensions accordingly. A Blues player took a blatant shot to the head and the offending player was not suspended until he did it AGAIN this season. Meanwhile, Backes has played tough, but he is not known at all for these types of hits - the argument in the case of the Wild player - and as a result was not suspended. That's my take.

I would ask Milbury, who was lobbying for a suspension in an intermission, should one have been handed to the jackass Wild player earlier this season? He probably would have said yes,

Anyway, isn't it interesting when Olczyck has to cover a game where he can't just brag about Detroit or Chicago and actually has to compliment the Blues play? He had to be sucking it up big time throughout this one.

Olczyck is awful, awful, awful when Chicago is playing. You can't even get close to unbiased commentary from him in those games. He was horribly biased in the Blues-Hawks playoff series last year...especially when commenting on the Seabrook hit on Backes. It would have been good to have Olczyck and Pang both in the broadcast booth to get someone from both teams in there. Panger is light years better than Olczyck anyway.

Totally agree. This was the first time I'd heard him do a Blues broadcast and actually say anything positive about the Blues. Just thought it was worth a comment.

[glen a richter]

I've always hated Eddie Olzyck, ever since he whined his name onto the Stanley Cup for the most undeserving team in NHL history. All the Rangers did in the 90's was import a handful of the top players from the Oilers dynasty and the guys Keenan liked from his Chicago coaching days. Then they go ahead and win the Cup even though the vital core of that team was brought-in talent.

Through all of that though, Olzyck didn't qualify to have his name engraved on the Cup because of his lack of necessary games played, yet he ended up getting on there anyway. 37 regular season games played, 8 points. EIGHT. And he didn't play a single minute of the finals series against Vancouver. This from the #3 overall pick in his draft. Wasted talent, overrated or both? Olzyck gets no respect from me.

[cprice12]

I've always hated Eddie Olzyck, ever since he whined his name onto the Stanley Cup for the most undeserving team in NHL history. All the Rangers did in the 90's was import a handful of the top players from the Oilers dynasty and the guys Keenan liked from his Chicago coaching days. Then they go ahead and win the Cup even though the vital core of that team was brought-in talent.

Through all of that though, Olzyck didn't qualify to have his name engraved on the Cup because of his lack of necessary games played, yet he ended up getting on there anyway. 37 regular season games played, 8 points. EIGHT. And he didn't play a single minute of the finals series against Vancouver. This from the #3 overall pick in his draft. Wasted talent, overrated or both? Olzyck gets no respect from me.

I was in the press box a couple years ago for a Blues-Hawks game and I passed Olzyck in the hall. I said "Hey Eddie..." And he totally ignored me.
So...yeah. Just another reason for me to dislike the guy.
I was just trying to be polite as we made eye contact. What I wanted to say to him may have given him cause to pop me in the face.

[cardsfan04]

Is he the guy that accused Perron of faking?

[cprice12]

Is he the guy that accused Perron of faking?

I believe that was Jamie Baker...SJ Sharks broadcaster.