Penguins Take Shots at Richardson

The Pittsburgh Penguins remained angry Monday at Philadelphia defenseman Luke Richardson for shooting a puck directly into defenseman Bob Boughner’s chest, with Boughner promising to get back at Richardson.

Richardson teed up a slap shot from the red line and fired it into Boughner’s chest during the second period of the Flyers’ 6-3 victory Sunday. Boughner’s sternum was bruised and he did not return to the game, but chest X-rays were negative.

The Penguins felt Richardson’s shot was a deliberate intent to injure. Richardson drew a two-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and Boughner, who was engaged with the Flyers’ Keith Jones when he was struck with the puck, was penalized for roughing.

“I wonder if [Richardson is] a direct descendant of the coward who murdered Jesse James,” Penguin Coach Herb Brooks said. “I’m sure if you go back, he’s in the family tree somewhere. There is a code for tough guys in the league, and that went way beyond it.”

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Colorado Avalanche defenseman Ray Bourque missed practice because of a sore knee but could be ready for the Western Conference finals against the Dallas Stars later this week.

A date has not been set for Game 1. Bourque strained ligaments in his left knee in a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on May 1. He missed Games 4 and 5, which Colorado won to advance to the conference finals.

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American Hockey League Coach Bill Barber said he expects to interview for the job as coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, one of two expansion teams joining the NHL next season.

A spokesman for the team said it hopes to have a coach hired by the June 23 expansion draft.