From the New York Daily News:
The Blueshirts’ loss hurt more because they had responded well to an uncharacteristically brutish effort from the desperate Senators, who started two enforcers who had been scratched in Game 1 and immediately sent defenseman Matt Carkner after Rangers checking-line center Brian Boyle in retaliation for a few jabs Boyle had given Senators All-Star Erik Karlsson on Thursday.
Carkner knocked Boyle to the ice, pinned him down and pounded repeatedly on the back of his head 2:15 into the first period.
Boyle wore a couple of new welts and cuts on his face afterward but didn’t speak about the incident other than to admit Carkner may have been motivated to defend Karlsson. The attack undoubtedly earned Carkner a phone call from NHL VP of player safety Brendan Shanahan.
And from the Ottawa Sun:
Feeling his team had been pushed around, coach Paul MacLean dressed tough guys Matt Carkner and Zenon Konopka into the lineup on Saturday.
Only 2:15 in, Boyle bumped Karlsson and Carkner unleashed a barrage of unanswered punches on the 6-foot-7 Ranger that earned Carkner a five-minute major and game misconduct after only 39 seconds of ice time.
Brandon Dubinsky tried to jump in to Boyle’s defence and a melee ensued.
Dubinsky, who was also tossed out, tried to leave the penalty box to get at the officials before being restrained.
Later, Neil and Boyle dropped the gloves in a brief bout.
Konopka said a message had to be sent to Boyle.
“It’s something where we have to take care of our own,” said Konopka. “We have to take care of our family members. Karlsson’s a critical, critical part to our machine and it’s something that you’ve got to draw a line in the sand. We did that (Saturday night).”