Darius Kasparaitis Owns Mario Lemieux

The NY Islanders’ “shift disturber“ from Lithuania, the irrepressible Darius Kasparaitis, takes a cheap shot from Pittsburgh Penguins superstar Mario Lemieux and responds with several of his own in this clip from Game 6 of the Patrick Division Finals on May 12, 1993 at Nassau Coliseum. I was at this game, and I remember thinking, “Darius, nooo! what are you doing?“ but in hindsight it’s a great moment, David taking on Goliath. Everyone compared Lemieux to Jean Beliveau back then, but I doubt Beliveau indulged in cheap shots and embellishment like Lemieux did on occasion. Gotta love how the color commentator, Eddie “18“ Westfall, is just barely containing his laughter throughout. The Pens would score on the ensuing powerplay, but lose the game (and ultimately the series in seven).