They should be targeting Crosby. It's a no brainer. Get in his face and play a strong, legal game without taking a penalty. As we all know that's where the problem lies. It's tough to play Crosby physical without taking a penalty.
- Cptmjl

if everyone is talking about being objective, i think pens fans would agree with this...the way to slow down the team and get in their head is to finish checks on crosby

Congrats Kris Letang, Norris Trophy Finalist (despite missing 13 games)

this is the key to the series, in the beginning of the season the isles were one of the top teams on the PK...im not sure if its the isles PK is being exposed or if the pens PP is that good or it could be both...but if the pens continue scoring on the PP at the pace they are on, this series will be over quickly...

however, if the isles figure out a way to stop the pens pp, the pens may be in trouble as the isles - i believe- have dominated 5 on 5 play over games 2 and 3...
- LetsGoIsles

Its a fair statement, but you are making a pretty big assumption that the Pens won't improve their 5 on 5 play. They've been great 5 on 5 all year, so don't be surprised if theyr look MUCH better tonight...they just need to make a few make-able adjustments.

if everyone is talking about being objective, i think pens fans would agree with this...the way to slow down the team and get in their head is to finish checks on crosby
- LetsGoIsles

100% correct. Should be the game plan.

And this is why I don't think you have one clue about the game of hockey and prefer being in mediocrity than competing for a Cup. That would be like me saying I wouldn't want JT on my team and I'd take some rag tag player like Boyes instead. Yep, I wouldn't want the best player on earth; a warrior; and a guy with tremendous heart and skill playing for me. Of course, I'd take Grabner off the Islanders over Tavares and its not close. Why? Because we already have two John Tavares types on our roster.

Someone really needs a reality check.
- Oneonta Penguin

i agree with everything, fwiw id take crosby in a heartbeat, but you kinda lost me when u said youd rather have grabner than JT...thats just as insane as someone saying theyd rather have kunitz over crosby.

if everyone is talking about being objective, i think pens fans would agree with this...the way to slow down the team and get in their head is to finish checks on crosby
- LetsGoIsles

Actually, hitting Crosby just makes him play harder. You should be focused on hitting Malkin.

Its a fair statement, but you are making a pretty big assumption that the Pens won't improve their 5 on 5 play. They've been great 5 on 5 all year, so don't be surprised if theyr look MUCH better tonight...they just need to make a few make-able adjustments.
- Emperor Filonius

I expect the Pens to come out the hardest tonight and try to take the series. This is'nt their first time at the rodeo, they know if they take this we are all but done. Hope the Isles are mentally prepared for this tonight.

Actually, hitting Crosby just makes him play harder. You should be focused on hitting Malkin.
- Emperor Filonius

I think they have been, Hamonic has been doing a number on him which he needs to continue doing. If Neal comes back that's going to cause more of an issue for our defense tonight. As far as Crosby you get under his skin you get under your whole teams skin, we've all seen it.

Congrats Kris Letang, Norris Trophy Finalist (despite missing 13 games)


- Killian

That's a good accomplishment just to be nominated, but I think suter has it. He carried that poor Wild defense and made it look better than what it really is. He's the best all around defenseman of the 3. Subban is the worst

The answer to that question is a more closely guarded secret than the existence of aliens at Area 51 and who really killed Kennedy.

Seriously, the Pens have been very tight lipped about it. Check back here after the morning skate and there will probably be an update.
- Emperor Filonius

Thanks guys

Actually, hitting Crosby just makes him play harder. You should be focused on hitting Malkin.
- Emperor Filonius

Exactly, Malkin is the guy that's easy to get off of his game. Sid just gets pissed and comes back twice as hard.

I think they have been, Hamonic has been doing a number on him which he needs to continue doing. If Neal comes back that's going to cause more of an issue for our defense tonight. As far as Crosby you get under his skin you get under your whole teams skin, we've all seen it.
- Cptmjl

The impressive thing to me is Malkin is still getting his points (at least on the PP), and hasn't retaliated. You are correct that getting Neal back would help Malkin immeasurably, as would switching Kunitz and Iggy. If the Malkin line starts producing 5 on 5, you guys are in a heap of trouble.

That's a good accomplishment just to be nominated, but I think suter has it. He carried that poor Wild defense and made it look better than what it really is. He's the best all around defenseman of the 3. Subban is the worst
- drummer829

I have to agree...if I was voting, my vote would go...

1. Suter
2. Letang
3. Subban

Plus, I think it helps the pens if he DOESN'T win the Norris...hopefully his price tag won't be AS high

i agree with everything, fwiw id take crosby in a heartbeat, but you kinda lost me when u said youd rather have grabner than JT...thats just as insane as someone saying theyd rather have kunitz over crosby.
- LetsGoIsles

Think about why I'd take Grabner over Tavares for the Pens. It's truly not hard to conceive. Grabner brings a different element. If we didn't have Crosby and Malkin, sure JT would be the choice.

No, its not as insane as someone saying they'd take Kunitz over Crosby, especially since the the poster is a fan of a team that hadn't made the play-offs in a while and were in lottery selection mode. Again, we already have two JT types on our roster. Grabner - we don't have one of him really.

if everyone is talking about being objective, i think pens fans would agree with this...the way to slow down the team and get in their head is to finish checks on crosby
- LetsGoIsles

As mentioned by a couple of others, hitting Crosby if anything, makes him play harder. And he's not easy to hit, so many times you end up taking yourself out of position and he'll just step around you.

Malkin on the other hand will retaliate and get knocked off his game.

Because it's a dumb statement, and we know if he were an Islander you'd be running around with his jersey on your back.

Why don't you save this non-sense for your own blog where somebody might believe you? We've been watching this guy make fools out of bums like Strait for a long time now and I'll let you in on a little secret.....It doesn't suck. Oh... and he's just as amazing at dealing with public/kids etc... So there's that.

I'll say it again, he's the most driven, competitive athlete to ever wear a Pittsburgh jersey in any sport. The exact trait you'd think New Yorkers (of all people) would love.
- madmike71

Roberto Clemente, Terry bradshaw or even Ben Roethlisberger might say otherwise... but hes definitely up there

I have to agree...if I was voting, my vote would go...

1. Suter
2. Letang
3. Subban

Plus, I think it helps the pens if he DOESN'T win the Norris...hopefully his price tag won't be AS high
- Killian

Price tag doesn't change whether he wins the award, nominated for the award etc... His value has been set over the past number of seasons.

I have to agree...if I was voting, my vote would go...

1. Suter
2. Letang
3. Subban

Plus, I think it helps the pens if he DOESN'T win the Norris...hopefully his price tag won't be AS high
- Killian

So hard for me to pick between Suter and Letang. I just haven't seen Suter near enough this season to make an educated pick. But if Letang misses a few less games, he runs away with the scoring title and likely the Norris.

Its a fair statement, but you are making a pretty big assumption that the Pens won't improve their 5 on 5 play. They've been great 5 on 5 all year, so don't be surprised if theyr look MUCH better tonight...they just need to make a few make-able adjustments.
- Emperor Filonius

im making a lot of assumptions because the game hasnt happened yet... i was also assuming the pens pp would thrive and that the isles pk wouldnt. im just saying based off of the past 2 games (ill eliminate game 1, it was useless from a "tape" perspective, pens crushed) pens have dominated special teams and isles have been better than pens on 5 on 5 (notice, i didnt say "dominated")

So hard for me to pick between Suter and Letang. I just haven't seen Suter near enough this season to make an educated pick. But if Letang misses a few less games, he runs away with the scoring title and likely the Norris.
- rival22

Suter is one of the only reasons the wild have stayed close with the hawks. He's been doing an excellent job of shutting down their top guns. Kind of making that price tag look not as bad

So hard for me to pick between Suter and Letang. I just haven't seen Suter near enough this season to make an educated pick. But if Letang misses a few less games, he runs away with the scoring title and likely the Norris.
- rival22

I think a staggering stat for Letang is, playing 25 minutes a night as a defenseman, he only took FOUR minor penalties all season. That's pretty impressive.

Actually, hitting Crosby just makes him play harder. You should be focused on hitting Malkin.
- Emperor Filonius

im not saying they should hit crosby from an injure-him standpoint...im saying it because the players around him will lose focus IE iginla hit on Strait, i think if players see crosby getting knocked around, crosby will be fine, his linemates would be the ones to be rattled.

and yes, malkin is a bit of a hot head, from the start of the series i said if the isles plan on winning, colin macdonald will be a big reason why bc he needs to play a VERY physical game against malkin and get him agitated.

I think a staggering stat for Letang is, playing 25 minutes a night as a defenseman, he only took FOUR minor penalties all season. That's pretty impressive.
- cap1681

Especially for a guy who plays physical, and at times in the past has lost his cool. He has really kept his emotions in check this season.

I have to agree...if I was voting, my vote would go...

1. Suter
2. Letang
3. Subban

Plus, I think it helps the pens if he DOESN'T win the Norris...hopefully his price tag won't be AS high
- Killian

Him winning it or not doesn't have an effect on his price tag. His price has already been set. The question, does Pittsburgh think he is worth that amount. The price tag will be the same win or lose.

The impressive thing to me is Malkin is still getting his points (at least on the PP), and hasn't retaliated. You are correct that getting Neal back would help Malkin immeasurably, as would switching Kunitz and Iggy. If the Malkin line starts producing 5 on 5, you guys are in a heap of trouble.
- Emperor Filonius

Yeah, Malkin quietly is averaging 2 points per game so far.