Post-Game Buzz: Tortorella goes off on Pens organization following Orpik’s knee to knee hit on Stepan

Defenseman Brooks Orpik delivered a cheap knee to knee hit on Derek Stepan late in the third period of Thursday’s game, receiving a five minute major. The hit set the stage for a tirade from Rangers head coach John Tortorella following the Rangers 5-2 loss to the Penguins at the Consol Energy Center.

Tortorella went off on the hit and the Penguins organization, calling the team one of the most arrogant organizations in hockey.

“It’s a cheap, dirty hit, ” Tortorella said. “I wonder what would happen if we did that to their two whining stars over there, ” Tortorella said, making a reference towards Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. “Just no respect among players….none, ” Tortorella proclaimed…. “It’s sickening.”

The best from Tortorella would come a few seconds later in his rant.

“It’s one of the most arrogant organizations in the league. They whine about this stuff all the time and look what happens.”

“It’s ridiculous, but they’ll whine about something else over there, won’t they?…. Starting with their two (bleeping) stars.”

Pittsburgh clinched the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference and home ice in the first round of the playoffs with the 5-2 win, setting up a playoff matchup with the Philadelphia Flyers who they host Saturday afternoon in their regular season finale.

In the win, Marc-Andre Fleury made 35 saves to tie the Penguins franchise record for wins and Chris Kunitz, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang each had a goal and an assist, leading the way offensively.

Richard Park and Tyler Kennedy also scored in the victory. Malkin the games No. 1 star, scored his 49th goal of the season and is one goal away from his first career 50-goal season.