Neal given a 5 game suspension? (NHL)?

Both.

He needed to avoid the knee to the head. Plain and simple.

But watching the game, he appeared to be looking down ice at the puck when Crosby pinwheeled the player towards him. He MAY not have been aware of where the guy was.

You can make either case.

I'd have gone with 3. He's not a repeat offender and no real history of this kind of thing.

Theoretically, Thornton should get 15-25 games for the assault on Orpik.

Edit: Orpik was just put on IR. He's out for a while. I would not be shocked at 15

Agree, I'm a Penguins fan and what Neal did was completely uncalled for. He made no effort to avoid Marchand's head or even react to it after the hit, which makes it obvious it wasn't really an accident. Thankfully Marchand wasn't injured. I agree with him getting 5 games, and also think Thornton will end up getting 15-20 for what he did to Orpik.

I predicted 5 and hoped for 7-8 just to see the message of zero tolerance get through to these knuckleheads (of course my answer yesterday was deleted as I somehow offended a certain scholar). I am satisfied with 5 though, it hurts the Pens and hurts both his pocketbook & reputation as it should and now he is officially an offender. I don't understand how the playoff suspension doesn't count but the CBA says it doesn't. I am probably most bothered by Neal acting as if he didn't intend to hit or injure Marchand which we both know is complete BS.

Now lets wait and see how the Thornton situation plays out, should be interesting. I am sticking to my prediction of 15 games at the moment.

I think it's right. What he did was stupid and cheap and deserved 5 games. He is lucky Marchand isn't hurt and hopefully he makes the better choice next time. Penguins fans like myself hate seeing crap like this. That kind of nonsense belongs elsewhere.

20 seems like a good guess for Thornton as your rundown is logical. I also think that similar to the 5 for Neal, it would be appropriate. It is unfortunate Orpik is hurt. Hopefully Thornton also makes better choices next time.

Turning my homerism back on (sorry). Even with the 20 for Thornton the Bruins get the better of this melee. Losing Neal for 5 and Orpik for ? hurts alot more than losing Thornton and his meager minutes per game and horrible sievelike defense for 20.

I'm a Pens fan and agree with what he got. It was a dirty hit and the fact that he had no remorse doesn't help either.His interview after the game upset people including the coach and GM.

Agree...knee to the head of an unsuspecting opponent while you are gliding at about half speed is a big time no-no

I don't have enough IQ points to know