As we all know, professional hockey can get pretty rough.
Certain players have a very specific role when tempers flare, but there are times when talented players get angry, even if they’re not known for playing physical.
We saw it during a preseason game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Buffalo Sabres, when Sidney Crosby threw down the gloves to defend his long-time teammate, Kristopher Letang.
Letang had received an underhand blow from the young Sabres forward, and the captain didn’t hesitate to protect Letang.
Sidney Crosby gets into preseason fight with Sabres’ Peyton Krebs after hit on Kris Letang https://t.co/wdZvW4xjYz
– RMNB (@rmnb) October 7, 2023
The Quebecer proved he has a long memory.
During a scrum between the Penguins and Sabres on Friday, Letang took the opportunity to check on Krebs , and he didn’t go easy on him.
Watch the clip below.
It’s official, @Letang_58 has a long memory: https://t.co/24Ai5Wsfb1
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 25, 2023
Following the altercation, Krebs and Letang exchanged a few words that didn’t seem very sweet.
The Buffalo forward didn’t seem to appreciate Letang’s gesture at all, specifically the punch from #58 when both players were already on the ground.
HOLD ON HOLD ON HOLD ON…HER SISTER WAS A WITCH RIGHT? AND WHAT WAS HER SISTER? A PRINCESS, THE WICKED WITCH OF THE EAST BRO. YOU’RE GONNA LOOK AT ME AND YOU’RE GONNA TELL ME THAT I’M WRONG? AM I WRONG? SHE WORE A CROWN AND SHE CAME DOWN IN A BUBBLE, DOUG. GROW UP BRO, GROW UP. pic.twitter.com/rbJsY4ZJrg
– Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 25, 2023
Looking at the footage properly, you might even think Letang could have earned himself a game misconduct.
Some would even say he could be fined or even suspended in the next few days because of that hit.
I understand the emotion on the Quebecer’s side, but this is not the kind of gesture we want to see in the NHL.
It couldn’t have been good.
Kris Letang got an extra punch in while he and Krebs were on the ice#LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/CiYMSQfkyA
– Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) November 25, 2023
Peyton Krebs is off to a slow start this season, with just one assist in 17 games.
It seems that Josh Anderson isn’t the only one in the boat, as he still hasn’t found the back of the net this season.
In the end, it was the Buffalo Sabres who came out on top, 3-2.
It was the first time Buffalo had closed a third-period gap to win a game, having trailed 2-0.
The Sabres now find themselves with a .500 record (9-9-2), while the Pens are now under .500 (9-10-0).
It’s easy to understand Letang’s frustration with this sequence. With a season like this, it must be demoralizing.
In bursts
– The Quebecer had a nice moment with the San Jose Sharks mascot.
Samuel Montembeault having fun with Sharkie! 👊🖐✌ pic.twitter.com/Kmlm70oQZy
– RDS (@RDSca) November 24, 2023
– The Quebecer faces a fine for wearing his helmet paying tribute to his Amerindian heritage.
UPDATE: Rule be damned, Marc-Andre Fleury is wearing his Native American Heritage mask in warmups. I’m told it’s very unlikely he or the #mnwild will be fined, but he’s risking it
His mask is up to $5,600 in the auction-vastly more than any other item https://t.co/2N0SlYujh5 https://t.co/Ajnk0ysfnq
– Michael Russo (@RussoHockey) November 25, 2023
– Second franchise defenseman to reach this plateau so quickly, since none other than Phil Housley. Not bad at all.
Rasmus Dahlin recorded his 200th career assist (375 GP) and became the second fastest @BuffaloSabres defenseman to reach the mark behind only Phil Housley (315 GP).#NHLStats: https://t.co/Hs4MgAEZI2 https://t.co/yuReVs0bWg
– NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 25, 2023
– Caufield felt that Slaf played his best game in his team’s victory.
“One of Slafkovsky’s best games” – Caufield: https://t.co/iwPjQROMqp
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 25, 2023
– To listen to.
WATCH: Karl Subban interviewed by TVA Sports for his book launchhttps://t.co/lpHgaB6xlX
– TVA Sports (@TVASports) November 25, 2023