The Providence Bruins were unable to close out the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday night in their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup as the home side forced a Game 6 with a 4-0 win. The Bruins wouldn't go quietly as a late-game brawl brought fireworks and set the scene for their next meeting on Monday night.

Both Providence and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton combined for 113 penalty minutes in the game, with the bulk of the total coming after Bruins forward Graham Mink -- who had rolled over him just minutes before -- fell on top of Penguins goalie Brad Theissen after he froze the puck:

What a call by the Penguins voice Tom Grace and a nice warning to the Bruins that Steve MacIntyre lurks. And we have to applaud the arena music person for using the Ultimate Warrior's theme during the brawling.

The two teams weren't done getting at one another. Two minutes later, after Paul Thompson made it 4-0 (8:07 mark of video), Bruins netminder Niklas Svedberg took exception and slashed him in the back of the leg, setting off another round of scrums. Svedberg would get a two two-minute penalties for slashing and roughing.

Mink was given a match penalty for deliberate attempt to injure. According to AHL rules, he's fined $200 and the penalty will be reviewed by the league for supplemental discipline.

"I didn't say anything or do anything. It kind of happened. I'm not sure what provoked it," Thiessen (30 saves) told Jonathan Bombulie of the Citizens' Voice afterward. "Whatever they want to do, my job is still to stop the puck."

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

Getty ImagesNo. 1 Star: Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Crosby recorded his second career postseason hat trick during the Penguins' 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators in Game 2. He tallied his first two goals during a three-goal opening period for the Penguins, then completed the trick early in the second period on the power play. Crosby is the fifth player in Penguins franchise history to reach 100 career points in the playoffs.

No. 2 Star: Paul Martin, Pittsburgh Penguins

Martin continued his stellar play assisting on a pair of goals to give him 15 points in his last 16 games. He's now on 9 points, good enough to be tied for fourth in playoff scoring.

No. 3 Star: Brenden Morrow, Pittsburgh Penguins

Morrow scored his first playoff goal since 2008 by deflecting a Paul Martin shot midway through the second period. That goal would stand as the game winner. Late in the game, as the Penguins were hanging on to their 4-3 lead and time running out, Morrow killed seconds deep in the Senators' zone by protecting the puck along the boards.

Getty ImagesThe last time Sidney Crosby netted a hat trick in the playoffs was 2009. The last time the Pittsburgh Penguins took a 2-0 series lead in the playoffs was 2009. It remains to be seen if those good omens from 2009 will create a similar ending in 2013, but for now the Penguins are halfway to the Eastern Conference Final after a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators Friday night.

Crosby set the tone early on scoring three times within the first 21:15 of the game as Pittsburgh stormed out to a 3-1 lead. The Penguins captain brought the CONSOL Energy Center crowd to its feet during his first goal, which left Erik Karlsson wondering what had just happened:

Craig Anderson's night was finished after Crosby completed his hat trick early in the second period. It was the first time he was pulled since March 2012. His replacement, Robin Lehner, was valiant in relief making 20 saves and keeping the Senators in the game.

Not helping the Senators' cause was the fact they handed six power plays to a Penguins team rolling along at a 36 percent rate with the man advantage entering Friday night, tops in the NHL this postseason. Pittsburgh only cashed in on one -- Crosby's third goal -- but Ottawa was never able to build momentum with the numerous trips to the penalty box.

The series now shifts to Scotiabank Place on Sunday and Tuesday for Games 3 and 4 as the Senators will attempt to slow a Pittsburgh offense averaging 4.13 goals per game. The Penguins outshot Ottawa 41-21 in Game 2, with 11 coming on the power play. As the Senators stressed after Game 1, they cannot have a parade to the penalty box if they're to beat Pittsburgh in this series.

Ottawa also needs a stronger showing from Anderson, who's now allowed seven goals thru the first two games of this series -- the combined total he allowed from Games 2-5 against Montreal in the first round. Jason Spezza's return could give them a boost, but collectively there's still plenty of work to be done.

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

Getty ImagesFor a second straight postseason, San Jose Sharks forward Raffi Torres was suspended by the NHL for an illegal hit. After he was banned for the remainder of the Sharks' series with the Los Angeles Kings -- which could end up being between 3-6 games -- there was a thought that Torres could be the first test case of the appeal system negotiated in the new CBA.

According to ESPN.com's Pierre LeBrun, Torres has decided otherwise and will not challenge the suspension handed down by Brendan Shanahan on Thursday.

Despite Torres' decision, Doug Wilson had a few things to get off his chest about the suspension. Late Friday, the Sharks' general manager released a statement vehemently disagreeing with Shanahan's decision and challenging the wording in Rule 48.1 and how it was applied:

From the Sharks:

The Sharks organization fully supports the NHL in its efforts to remove illegal and dangerous hits from the game but we strongly disagree with the NHL's decision to suspend Raffi Torres.

Upon review of the incident, it is abundantly clear that this was a clean hockey hit. As noted by the NHL, Raffi's initial point of contact was a shoulder-to-shoulder hit on an opponent who was playing the puck. He did not leave his feet or elevate, he kept his shoulder tucked and elbow down at his side, and he was gliding - not skating or charging.

As stated in the NHL's Player Safety video, Rule 48.1 says, "A hit resulting in contact with an opponent's head where the head is targeted and the principal point of contact is not permitted." Thus, with the use of the word "and", this rule clearly states that two elements must occur in order to violate the rule. Raffi absolutely did not target his opponent's head on the play. The call on the ice specifically acknowledged that the head was not targeted and nowhere in the NHL's ruling does it insinuate or suggest that the opponent's head was targeted.

Furthermore, the rule goes on to say: "However, in determining whether such a hit should have been permitted, the circumstances of the hit, including whether the opponent put himself in a vulnerable position immediately prior to or simultaneously with the hit or the head contact on an otherwise legal body check was avoidable, can be considered."

As evidenced in the video, just prior to Torres making contact with the opposing player, that player altered his posture to play a bouncing puck with his hand, placing himself in a vulnerable position.

Comparing the facts of this incident against the actual wording of Rule 48.1, it appears that the NHL has not only made an inappropriate application of this rule but is trying to make an example out of a player who is being judged on past events, one who has changed his game dramatically this season and taken only six minor penalties in 39 games.

We are proud of the work Raffi has put in to successfully adjust his game. Although it's unfortunate that Jarret was injured on the play, we feel this decision is grossly unfair to the Raffi, his teammates and our fans. However, Raffi does not want to be a distraction to his teammates and has decided not to appeal this suspension and we respect that decision.

After Torres changed his ways following the massive suspension a year ago for his hit on Marian Hossa, with this suspension and the spotlight shining very, very brightly on him going forward, how much will this affect his game going forward?

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

Here are your Puck Headlines: a glorious collection of news and views collected from the greatest blogosphere in sports and the few, the proud, the mainstream hockey media.

AP• Finland's Antti Pihlstrom was unable to be removed from the glass after celebrating his overtime goal vs. Latvia. He'll miss their game against Sweden. [AP]

• Jason Spezza back for Game 3 on Sunday? It's possible. Ottawa Senators head coach Paul MacLean: "If he's available to us, it's Jason Spezza, we're going to have him in the lineup." [Ottawa Sun]

• Heading into Game 2 on Saturday, the Detroit Red Wings need to give Jimmy Howard some help. [CSN Chicago]

• Despite the impressive Game 1 win, the Chicago Blackhawks can still get better. [Blackhawk Up]

• How many different descriptions did NBC's Mike Emrick use during Game 1 of Blackhawks/Red Wings? 90. Yes. 90! [Awful Announcing]

• How did LA Kings forward Trevor Lewis react after his Game 2 winner against the San Jose Sharks? “I think that was Toff’s play there. He made a great shot off the pad there and I just kinda tapped it in and then almost passed out in the celebration." [Mayor's Manor]

• Remember John Tortorella's high school yearbook photo? Remember "Musky"? Toucher and Rich have gotten to the bottom of some of the unanswered questions from that photo. But now we need to find Musky. [CBS Boston]

• The 2013 Memorial Cup kicks off tonight in Saskatoon. Here's Neate with 11 storylines to follow. [Buzzing the Net]

APCarolina Hurricanes fans are on edge waiting to hear about the severity of a knee injury captain Eric Staal suffered Thursday during Canada's World Championships quarterfinal game against Sweden.

Late in the first period, Staal took a knee-on-knee hit from Swedish defenseman Alex Edler and went down in pain. Edler was kicked out of the game and on Friday the IIHF suspended him for the rest of the tournament.

Once again, here's the hit:

From the IIHF:

After reviewing the video evidence and the respective reports, including the Game Supervisor Report, the Referee Supervisor Report, the verbal medical report and the report from the hearing with the player, the panel has determined that Edler should have been penalized with a match penalty as he was in clear violation of the playing rule 536b (Kneeing).

...

The disciplinary panel deemed Edler’s action as reckless, dangerous and that it was in disregard to the vulnerability of his opponent and for that he must be held accountable.

Edler will miss Sweden's semifinal game against Finland on Saturday and either the bronze or gold medal game on Sunday, depending on the result.

Staal is flying back to Raleigh on Friday and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Saturday to assess the damage.

“It’s unfortunate and hopefully it’s not too serious,” Rutherford told Chip Alexander of the News Observer. “If it is serious, hopefully there will be enough recovery time for him to be ready for next season.

"We’ll just hope for the best.”

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy

Getty ImagesNo. 1 Star: Patrick Sharp, Chicago Blackhawks

Before Sharp scored an empty-net goal to seal things in Game 1, he assisted on Marian Hossa's opening goal and later Johnny Oduya's midway through the third period that gave Chicago the lead for good. The Blackhawks would take Game 1 over the Detroit Red Wings 4-1.

No. 2 Star: Johnny Oduya, Chicago Blackhawks

Oduya scored his second goal of the playoffs 8:02 into the third period snap a 1-1 tie and give the Blackhawks the lead for good.

No. 3 Star: Marian Hossa, Chicago Blackhawks

Hossa scored the first goal of the game on the power play on a nasty snipe:

Honorable mention: Corey Crawford improved his playoff record this postseason to 5-1 with a 20-save night ... Jimmy Howard made 38 saves in a losing effort ... This was the 75th all-time playoff meeting between the two teams ... Nick Leddy was credited with four blocked shots ... Brent Seabrook's hand-eye coordination helped keep the Red Wings from cutting the Blackhawks' lead late in the game:

Conn Smythe Watch: 1. Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins; 2. David Krejci, Boston Bruins; 3. Corey Crawford, Chicago Blackhawks; 4. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles Kings; 5. Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings; 6. Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks; 7. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers; 8. Craig Anderson, Ottawa Senators; 9. Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins; 10. Logan Couture, San Jose Sharks.

Dishonorable mention: Marcus Kruger was 0-for-11 on faceoffs ... Detroit was outshot 35-14 in the final two periods ... The Red Wings have dropped eight straight against the Blackhawks.

APOne of the advantages the Chicago Blackhawks have over the Detroit Red Wings in their second-round series is depth. That depth was on display during their 4-1 win over Detroit in Game 1 Wednesday night.

Marian Hossa and Damien Brunner traded goals in the opening period, but the game shifted in Chicago's favor during a 3:21 span in the third when Johnny Oduya and Marcus Kruger gave the Blackhawks a commanding 3-1 lead.

Oduya's second of the playoffs came after Patrick Kane drew two Red Wings along the boards, while Johan Franzen failed to provide any cover while the Blackhawks' defenseman floated through the circles untouched:

After a first period where the Red Wings outshot their opponents 7-6, it was all Blackhawks in final 40 minutes. The final shot total was 41-21 in Chicago's favor, keeping Jimmy Howard on his toes all night. As happened often during the regular season, the Blackhawks were outhit 43-24, displaying their grip on puck possession throughout the game.

Game 2 is Saturday afternoon, and the two-day break should help the Red Wings rest up after going through a seven-game series with Anaheim in the opening round. Just as important, it will allow Mike Babcock and his staff time to figure out a way to improve their puck management, something the Blackhawks feasted on.

Follow Sean Leahy on Twitter at @Sean_Leahy