PITTSBURGH -- — For the second time this week, the Pittsburgh Penguins have come under fire from an opposing division rival.
After Thursday’s 5-2 loss against the Penguins, New York Rangers head coach John Tortorella voiced his displeasure of Brooks Orpik’s hit on Derek Stepan late in the third period.
“It’s a cheap, dirty hit,” Tortorella said. “I wonder what would happen if we did it to their two whining stars.”
Tortorella went on to call the Penguins “one of the most arrogant organizations in the league.”
“There’s just no respect among players. None and it’s sickening,” Tortorella said. “They whine about this stuff all the time and look what happens.”
The Rangers are the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs and the Penguins are fourth. The two could meet in the second or third round of the playoffs, which could lead to an interesting series.
The Philadelphia Flyers, who earlier this week voiced negative opinions of the Penguins, will be in town Saturday for the regular season finale. The game will start at 4 p.m. at the CONSOL Energy Center.
The Penguins and Flyers will then meet in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs, beginning Wednesday or Thursday.