#player-protection

#player-protection

Over the last two games, a blowout win over the Detroit Red Wings and an OT loss yesterday to the Philadelphia Flyers, the opposition made sure they were physical with Schaefer early and often. At the conclusion of Thursday's game, Mason Appleton of the Red Wings got into it with Schaefer in the dying moments of the game, resulting in the Islanders' cavalry rushing to his side.

By now, it should be evident to most hockey fans that Matt Rempe serves a singular purpose for the New York Rangers: to inflict punishment. In just two seasons, he has managed to be suspended for more games than he's registered points, a statistic that speaks volumes about how he is deployed. Little wonder, then, that the Islanders devoted considerable effort to insulating Matthew Schaefer from Rempe

"I prefer that the people criticize me, but don't touch the player," Pochettino said. "I hope in the future, criticize me, criticize me, but let the player play free, go and perform." Guided by goals on Tuesday from Alejandro Zendejas and Folarin Balogun, the mid-week result represented a turnaround for the manager that had suffered back-to-back defeats -- and gone seven games without a win -- after Saturday's loss to South Korea. Heading into the match against Japan, Pochettino had overseen losses in six of his 11 previous matches.

"I'm really excited," Reaves said, via NHL.com. "Everybody is asking me, 'Oh, I can't believe you're going to San Jose.' I go where anybody wants me and anybody who wants me I'm excited to do whatever I can for that team and that organization, so I'm excited to get down there."