Will Ryan Callahan Be Suspended For Hit On Frans Nielsen? (UPDATE)

In Friday nights contest between the New York Rangers and New York Islanders, Rangers always-hard-working forward, Ryan Callahan, rocked Islanders forward, Frans Nielson, with a hit.

Callahan was forced to fight Islander forward Jesse Joensuu, who had decided to stick up for his "hurt" teammate. The fight was even, with the only two punches being thrown by Ryan Callahan.

You can watch the video by clicking here

Without a doubt Callahan clipped Nielsen in the head with an elbow. In no way was the hit intentional, and Callahan did not mean for his hit to do any damage to Neilsen (which it did not, he was fine), but the elbow did clip Nielsen in the face.

Is the hit suspend able? Yes, there is clear evidence of a hit to face, while non-intentional it is still deemed an illegal play in the NHL.

Will Callahan be suspended for the hit? If it were me making the decisions I would probably say no, he should not be suspended. He is not known for play like this, and his track-record is clean as a whistle.

Honestly, if Sidney Crosby was not suspended for his infractions a week ago, and Daniel Carcillo was not suspended for his to the head of Ruslan Fedotenko a month ago (here), and, on a recent scale, Curtis Glencross was not suspended for his cross-check to the face of Keith Ballard (here), why should Ryan Callahan be treated any different?

Again, it was clear that the elbow of Callahan may have clipped Nielsen in the chin; but I do not believe any suspension will be given to Ryan Callahan.

UPDATE:
Ryan Callahan will not be suspended, according to multiple sources.

Sean Avery and the New York Rangers Go For Back-To-Back Sweep

Tonight, the New York Rangers will host the New York Islanders in the final game of the back-to-back, home-and-home series.

The Rangers took the first game 6-5, thanks to excellent play by their new and improved top-line.

The Rangers top-line of Marian Gaborik-Erik Christensen-Sean Avery contributed with nine points in the first game, including a hat-trick from Gaborik, and will most likely stick together for game-two.

The Rangers second line of Brandon Dubinsky-Derek Stepan-Ryan Callahan also contributed with an early goal in the game.

Expect Henrik Lundqvist to start for the Rangers, after relieving Martin Biron half-way through game-one.

I wouldn't expect much of a roster change or line change for the game, but I will be back later this afternoon with any updates, including line changes or roster moves.

New York Rangers Look To Continue Winning In Nashville Saturday Night

Tonight, the New York Rangers will finish off their three game road trip in Nashvillie taking on the Predators.

Friday night, the Rangers shut-out the Florida Panthers 3-0, with several players leading the team to victory.

Henrik Lundqvist had a major bounce-back game with the shutout, and other major players in the victory were Sean Avery, Brandon Prust, Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Ryan Callahan, and Brandon Dubinsky.

New Lines
The Rangers coach, John Tortorella, played with the line combinations for this game, and the new lines paid-off.
The best line for the Rangers was the line of Ryan Callahan-Brian Boyle-Ruslan Fedotenko.
This line dominated defensively, consatnly blocking shots, clearing the crease of players (Boyle), and clearing the zone.
The other Rangers lines for Fridays game, were:
Marian Gaborik-Derek Stepan-Brandon Dubinsky
Callahan-Boyle-Fedotenko
Sean Avery-Artem Anisimov-Brandon Prust
Alex Frolov-Erik Christensen-Todd White

Will the Lines stay?
Though the lines worked wonders for the Rangers on Friday, they may not stay the same for much longer.
According to the NY Post, Tortorella may-or-may not keep these lines.
We will find out for sure later today during Tortorellas pre-game press conference.

Who will start?
Lundqvist finally won a game, after losing his previous three starts. He may start for the third straight game, and second straight night, tongiht; but I would not be surprised to see Martin Biron in goal against Nashville.

If there are any lineup changes, expect an update.