OT: NHL Looking at the Playoff Picture Right Now
1. Pittsburgh is over matched vs Philadelphia and Marc Andre Fleury has lost his game in goal mentally.
2. Sidney Crosby is quickly becoming more of a goon than a professional player and can't compete well under frustration.
3. The Flyers are DAMN SCARY. Averaging around 5 goals a game in this series.
4. Vancouver without the other Sedin SUCK. Luongo has not looked good in net and the Canucks special teams are a travesty on the PP.
5. LA looks like the real deal in the West with Kopitar and Quick.
6. Detroit's age has finally caught up to them and our new guys can't seem to out do the Predators lineup of Erat, Weber and Rinne. Even though we out shoot them.
7. Ottawa might be stronger than what people are giving them credit for winning in OT. They fought the Rangers hard in game 2.
8. Washington has some momentum going back to the capital with the series tied. 1-1.
9. SJ and St Louis match up well against one another and it's likely going to come down to a 7th game.
10. Hawks now have momentum going back to Chicago with Crawford playing amazing in net vs Phoenix.
11. Florida will most likely lose in 5 to the Devils who overall are out shooting the Panthers with the series now going to NJ.
My finals prediction thus far. LA Kings vs Philadelphia Flyers or a rematch of 2010 with Chicago vs Philadelphia. Your thoughts?
April 16th, 2012 at 11:38 AM ^
I can't stand the Penguins. Crosby is such a punk.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:46 AM ^
Then he waits for the ref to come over and break it up before he starts throwing haymakers at the back of Giroux's head.
Edit: Why can't I get it to start at 2:16??
April 16th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^
There is absolutely no defense being played in this series. The Flyers do look scary, but that brand of defense, or lack of defense, will not prevail against a western conference team....
That style of defense won't hold up against the Bruins or Rangers
Yeah, the Rangers went 6-0-0 against the Flyers in the regular season. They won 2-0, 4-2, 3-2, 5-2, 5-2, and 5-3.
Plus Bryzgalov can't carry the Flyers very far. His stats are almost identical to last years stats, except for the W/L column. The Flyers are very lucky they got in the Pens head early on and threw them off. But when they go against the Bruins or Rangers, they're not going to be able to out-physical them, and when Bryz doesn't have his team spotting him a 3 goal lead they will crumble
April 16th, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
Crosby is doing what he's doing because there are goons out there taking cheap shots at him.
The penguins will be back. They have 2/5 of the top five players in the league in Crosby and Malkin.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:39 AM ^
I'm going to have to disagree with your assessment of Crosby. He has 5 points in 3 games. I hate the guy, but still.
Luongo has looked fine in net, team just sucks.
Dustin Brown is the guy along with Quick leading that team, not Kopitar.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^
April 16th, 2012 at 11:47 AM ^
He's playing a physical game and he gets battered around. Crosby needs to stick up for himself, and he does. Sure he talks a lot, but you say he cross checks, picks fights etc. He gets it way worse than he gives.
I hate Crosby also, but your criticism is unwarranted. Kid is still by far the best player in hockey by a longshot, and is far from a goon. I know a lot of you guys hate Crosby because of his role in the Olympics (I hate him also) but you are letting your hate blind you from the truth.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:50 AM ^
It has nothing to do with the Olympics. He runs his mouth and by stick up for himself you mean slash and pick fights after the whistle but never actually take the gloves off. He'll wrap a guy up then when his teammates see come swarming in on the other guy.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:56 AM ^
He is giving what he is getting. And saying he is a more than a goon than anything is utterly ridiculous. Might not be Olympics, but probably him beating the Wings in the Cup. And you say he picks fights, Giroux was just as instrumental in that fight as Crosby was, so not sure what you are saying. In the third he got in a scuffle with Schenn, Schenn cross checked Crosby from behind about a week ago for no reason.
Lots of guys out there talking, using their sticks. Crosby is one of the few who backs it up. You hate him because he is good, not because he talks. Lots of players on the Wings over the years who did the exact same thing, and I highly doubt you hate them.
Case and point Franzen spearing someone on the bench, no one here saying anything about that.
April 16th, 2012 at 12:05 PM ^
I'm with you. Of course he does some talking and gets physical but the most talented players get stuff like that a lot more than they give it. I don't understand how anyone can think the guy is not one of the best players in the game. You can dislike him if you want, although I disagree with some people's reasoning, but when he has been healthy the Penguins are a different team.
April 16th, 2012 at 12:10 PM ^
I used to love watching Crosby play. He's such an outrageous talent. He's become a total pest though. It's telling when the rest of the league doesn't respect a player. Why can a guy like Datsyuk consistently win the Lady Bing but Crosby is drawn into this nonsense? He doesn't back it up like you are portraying it; he acts like a 12 year old out there, rabbit punching guys and running away.
April 16th, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
It's quotes like this, regardless of his actual skill/athleticism that makes me shake my head.
Of course, what we all know here about MSM taking things out of context could play a factor, but having 19 and 5 as captains here for the Wings, you come to appreciate a captain acting like a CAPTAIN, and letting the McCartys and Kronwalls of the NHL-world be the voice-via-fist.
And by Cindy's count, that's 20 "mistakes" in 3 games, right?
Sorry, but what's wrong with Crosby saying that?
to apologize, Papa.
To me, as captain, just stick to "we need to work harder, hustle more, concentrate (concentrateconcentrate)" line of sports quoting. To say that every goal scored by the other team was a result of your own teams errors is pretty weak, to both your team-mates and the opposition. (If that line was supposed to rally the Pens on Sunday, didn't look like it met the objective, eh?) (And then what does the opponent say to that? That every Pen goal was a result of a Flyer fumble?)
Just my $0.02. YMMV.
April 16th, 2012 at 10:04 PM ^
He's done just that in the media for the entirety of his career up until this year after he came back the second time and was excoriated for being "boring" and just giving "talking points". Now, he exhibits a bit more passion and you guys give him shit for that, too. The reality is, no matter what Crosby does, you guys that don't like him are going to give him shit.
Also, for what it's worth...
"To say that every goal scored by the other team was a result of your own teams errors is pretty weak, to both your team-mates and the opposition."
That isn't what he said. Go back and actually watched the interview instead of just cherry picking one part of it. The entire thing is readily available and he didn't say what you've said.
Crosby and Datsyuk are different players. Their styles of play leads one to get beaten on a lot more than the other.
April 16th, 2012 at 10:27 PM ^
If you're going to criticize a player, at least get the facts straight. Crosby didn't pull anyone's hair. That was Craig Adams. Of course there's zero chance that you'll acknowledge your mistake.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:42 AM ^
I agree with most of it, but without some spectacular saves by Rinne and a couple lucky bounces for the Preds, the series could be 2-1 Wings right now.
If Kevin Klein doesn't tip that rebound shot away from the empty net or Franzen's shot goes in (literally) .2 seconds more quickly, I would think the 3rd period plays out much differently. I think the Wings are just playing against a decent team with a great goalie. Keep playing like the third period and I feel like the pucks will start going in the net.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:51 AM ^
impressed with Nyquist, I think he is going to be a nice player. But the other three you mentioned are shitting the bed right now, stupid, stupid plays by them. Our D is a big need to address in the off season.
I think Ericsson has actually been playing better than he has before. He's still not living up to his huge potential, but it's better at least. The biggest problem has been Stuart. I don't know if his head is already back in California or what, but he's been a huge problem. In both losses, he's been on the ice for every Nashville goal
April 16th, 2012 at 11:56 AM ^
The Franzen no-goal was set up when the Preds got a penalty with like 15-20 seconds left in the period, BUT a full second ran off the clock after the ref blew his whistle to call the penalty. Had the time been rightfully put back up, that would have been a good goal. If that happened in Nashville I would be furious, but it still sucks that it happened.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:43 AM ^
-The Flyers are not that scary long term. Averaging just over 6.5 goals is not sustainable in the NHL playoffs. Their goaltending is shaky at best right now.
-Not sold on the age thing with Detroit. The Wings out played them in 2 of 3 games but trail 2-1. That's playoff hockey for you.
-Still not ready to put the Kings anywhere past the 2nd round. Even though they beat the 1 seed you have to remember that they are an 8 seed for a reason.
-Finally momentum is seemingly worthless in hockey. Remember when Detroit beat the Pens 5-0 in game 5 of the Stanley Cup finals and lost the next two games 2-1? Yay momentum!
April 16th, 2012 at 11:44 AM ^
I love watching the Flyers play because Peter Laviolette coaches such a great style of hockey. It seems like every year he has the best passing team in the NHL, and when a team can pass that good it's a beautiful thing to watch.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:44 AM ^
Not going to give much analysis, but the playoffs have been incredible so far. Not alot of blowouts and every game is very competitive and entertaining. Maybe too much gooning going on, but that happens every playoffs it seems.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:48 AM ^
Briere, Neal, Quick, Dustin Brown have been the best players I've seen so far this year. Very impressive.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:49 AM ^
I don't think I'd call him a goon
April 16th, 2012 at 11:53 AM ^
The word is pest. Goons drop the gloves.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:54 AM ^
Started at least 2 fights that I remember, and he didn't even fight. He'd start something and then run away. It's terrible PR for the NHL that the star they chose to get behind isn't respected by his peers, doesn't handle the physical aspects of the game at all, has missed most of the last 2 seasons (not his fault) and was behaving so poorly on national TV yesterday. He needed to get his ass kicked and he kept starting stuff and then running away.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:59 AM ^
The bitterness runs deep in you guys.
That we're .500 against him in Cup Finals?
We get it. You're a Pens slappy. That's great. Crosby acts like a bitch. End of story. No one hates Malkin and the Wings have the same record against him, too.
I hate the Pens and Crosby a lot also. Just don't let ridiculous bias get in the way of assessing his play.
I am a Leafs fan (yes it sucks dick), far from a Pens slappy.
By you guys, do you mean the board in general, Wings fans, most NHL fans, or many NHL players, because all of the aforementioned groups seem to think Crosby is a bitch?
I played in the CHL and am still pretty well connected with guys I used to play with that are currently in the NHL and you know nothing bloggers crack me up. Who have you spoken to that says Crosby isn't well respected by his peers? He isn't liked by red wing fans nad it ends there I'm sorry to say. Neg away if you want, but what I am saying comes from NHLer's themselves, not some whiney fans. Honestly, your bitching about Crosby is a joke...grow up.
Oh, and just so you know I am not a penquins fans I am a habs fans, and damned ashamed to admit it.
And I don't like watching Crosby play. Watching him play it's obvious that other players don't respect him. Do you think any of the greats got as much shit as he does? He plays dirty, bitchy hockey and doesn't fight for himself. It's obvious when others on the ice respect you, and obvious when they don't. Look at the clip above of him suckerpunching players from behind. If you want to be mentioned with the Gretzkys of the world, you don't do stuff like that. The few times it got to the point where he would fight someone, he ducked out.
On a side note, sorry about your Habs. I have no idea how they can right the ship moving forward. Definitely looks like they bet on the wrong horse when they let Halak go.
April 16th, 2012 at 10:08 PM ^
"The few times it got to the point where he would fight someone, he ducked out."
You're flat out lying or you have no idea what you're talking about. I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt that it's the later, most likely due the fact that you (maybe) see the Penguins play two or three times a year and the rest comes from "highlights" you selectively seek out on Youtube. Either way, what you've said is laughably wrong.
basically I said my piece and should probably leave it at that, but I will add one more post and be done with it.
First of all Crosby has fought on several occasions in his career and actually fair pretty well when doing so. Again, I am not a penguins fan, but my brother is and he steered me to highlights of Crosby's fights and he isn't the pansy you guys are making him out to be.
As for the Gretzky comment you clearly didn't watch much of his game. Now I will admit I am a huge Gretzky fan, he was my childhood hero (from a sporting perspective) and he was targeted in nearly the exact same way Crosby is by opposing teams. Why do you think all the teams he played for sign guys like Mcsorley and Flemenko? They did so to try and keep the cheap shots at a minimum.
On the topic of Gretzky, he also stuck his nose in after the whistle and got in a few fights in his career. Honestly it seems like you guys are just throwing a lot of shit at a wall and seeing what sticks, because most of what you are complaining about is completely untrue. Crosby has been man enough to stick up for himself (because his team has no one like Gretzky had that will do his dirty work for him), so why can't you all just be man enough to admit that your problem is you don't like players who beat your teams.
My final addition to this thread will be this: As I said already, I still have numerous friends playing in the NHL who I talk to on a fairly regular basis (by regular I mean regularly a few times a year, not daily or anything). Two of those a currently on the Flyers (Hartnell and Shelley). Last summer I played in a golf tournament with both of them and this very topic came up because as I said, my brother is a huge pens fan (and he was playing with us). We spoke about what kind of rivalry it was between the pens and flyers and whether the hate you see on TV is real. Both of them said it was very intense to the point where the teams really don't even like eachother off the ice either.
When asked specifically about Crosby (by my brother who was fishing for a confrontational debate by this time) Hartnell verified what I already knew and that was that Crosby is one of the few top flight players that actually sticks up for himself (mostly because of what I mentioned earlier in that they have no one to do it for him) and is a pretty tough SOB as Hartnell put it. He continued to say that it is because of the respect everyone has for him that they focus on him so much and give him the cheapshots people here are trying to use as evidence that he isn't respected. In fact the opposite is true. It is the respect they have for him that leads to that. They are trying anything they can to get him off his game and they know, that unlike many other high skill players, Crosby will actually drop the gloves sometimes.
They only negative thing they said about him (and remember these are guys who openly despise him as a rival player) is that he is undisciplined sometimes. Not in a cheapshot sort of way, but in a way that he WILL fight and in so doing end up in the box which is every teams goal. They both openly said he is regarded by his peers as the best player in the NHL and it isn't even a debate, they all agree he is the best all around player in the league.
Now you will probably all read this and choose to ignore it because it doesn't fit with what you want to believe about the guy and that's fine by me. I just couldn't sit by in yet ANOTHER thread and listen to a bunch of butt hurt fans make baseless complaints about a player they know nothing about. Neg away.
Oh, and as for my Habs...Their biggest mistake has been their continued misses when hiring GM's. Honestly I have not seens such an inept organization over the past decade. But that is my curse...I am a fan of the Habs, Raptorsand Blue Jays. Until J.P. Richardi (or however you spell the asses name) was fired by the Jays I was cheering for the three worst managed teams in sports. NOw the new GM for the Jays deserves a medal just for getting the poor angels to take Wells off their hands. That was perhaps the most one sided deal I have seen in my history of watching sports (about 35 years). Thanks Heavens for my true love in sports...The Michigan Wolverine Football Team! If it wasn't for them my sports fandom would truley be horrible. Go Blue!
that your friends are so sold on Crosby in relation to Ovechkin. I don't consider myself a Crosby hater (in fact I think he's a top-two forward), but it's a bit surprising to me if it's "[not] even a debate".
Do you think that has to do with Ovechkin's real lack of discipline, his teams lack of success, building Crosby up in their minds a bit over the past two seasons, focusing on Crosby more because of the rivalry/dislike, or what? I don't mean to say nobody can make a case that Crosby is the top forward, only that it doesn't seem so cut and dry to me, especially when you take Malkin and the rest of the Pens out of the comparison.
and my analysis of his game coupled with that is that he is the best "all around" player in the game. The reason it isn't a debate is most of the other players in the NHL who can compare (but are still not up to his level IMHE or the opinions of those I know) to Crosby offensively aren't comparable defensively. The three that are closest to Crosby in offensive Talent in the NHL in my opinion are Stamkos, Ovechkin and Malkin, but none are on the same level defensively as a forward. Then you have a guy like Toews who is pretty damn good offensively and very good defensively (comparable to Crosby in that area of his game). Offensively he just isn't quite on the same level though, damn good, but not as good.
I think you could look at Stamkos, Malkin and Ovechkin and give reasonable arguementa why they are on the same level as Crosby offensively. I think you could look at Toews and argue why he is on the same level defensively. The problem is none of those guys are at his level in both those areas.
Also, I just mentioned Shelley and Hartnell because they play for Philly, I have quite a few other firends I keep in contact with from the NHL who are of the same opinion they are where the top player in the league is concerned. Also, I would definitely not say it is a caseof them building him up in their head over the past couple of years because if anything the last couple of years would hurt that cause given that he has played so sparingly.
I guess that is just a long winded way of saying I agree with you in that Crosby could be compared reasonably to a select few in terms of offensive prowess, but it is his combination of defensive play and his all around game that have caused his peers to consider him the best player in the league. If you were going strictly on offensive wow factor I would say that Ovechkin could get the edge.
April 17th, 2012 at 10:42 AM ^
Just wanted to clarify that it's because Crosby hasn't played much in the past two years that the "legend" or "mystique" or whatever grows. I would venture to say most people have inflated ideas of the reality of Gretzky's game, Jordan's game, Bo's coaching, ect. because we're separated from their playing/coaching days.
April 17th, 2012 at 10:46 AM ^
As I was writing my response to you I thought that may have been what you were getting at but figured I was wrong and took it the other way. However, I do think that it would take longer than two seasons for his absence to have that effect, but that is just speculation on my part.
"started at least two fights that I can remember, and he didn't even fight"
Curious that he had a fighting major in game three if what you've said is true (hint: it's not).
April 16th, 2012 at 11:49 AM ^
The Penguins are not there mentally on defense. My mouth especially dropped a little when Orpik and Crosby totally whiffed on coverage that lead to the sixth(?) Flyer goal. The Flyers are playing well, but the Penguins' D is making them look really good.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:50 AM ^
What Pittsburgh did yesterday was embarrassing. National TV, down 2-0, need a win, and that's what you do? Awful. Crosby has shown that he's quite happy to start scuffles and get out of the way and let someone fight for him, and the NHL did not need that PR black eye. Yes, casual fans love the fighting, but it crossed a line. It was out of control. I've been a hockey fan forever and I was turned off by how dirty that game got.
Elsewhere: The Wings do need to step it up, need a win in the next game, I doubt they'd win the series if they go back to Nashville down 3-1. The Canucks do look awful, but part of that is Quick, he's playing really well. Hopefully my Blackhawks keep it going, we also don't want to go back to Phoenix 2-2.
And finally, what the hell is wrong with Shanahan. There has been NO rhyme or reason to his rulings. 3 games for Hagelin? ZERO for Webber? Especially since that guy who jumped the Rangers guy only got one game. I'm interested to see what happens to Shaw, I didn't think his hit on Smith was malicious. Dangerous, yes, malicious, no. I didn't think he targeted the head and he did get a game misconduct already (more than Webber got for targeting the head twice). And let's see what he does with the Penguins, who were definitely intending to injure. I get that he wants resultant injuries to be a factor in suspensions... but you have to punish the action not just the outcome.
April 16th, 2012 at 11:53 AM ^
When are the "Wings are old" and "Wings aren't tough enough" cliches going to disappear? I think the Wings have looked pretty damn good this postseason. They are controlling the tempo, creating more chances, and wining the battles on the boards.
Their two biggest problems have been faceoffs and staying out of the box. Even though their penalty kill has been very effective, when they are short-handed, they are unable to control the puck and create their own chances.
But it's hockey. The best team doesn't always win. Just gotta keep controlling what you can, and hopefully good things will happen. If they don't, well, it just wasn't your time.