although in an odd series of events, i feel as though it was the reverse against boston. they tried so hard to match the bruins physicality, and they totally lost themselves in it. not by being goonish, but by just putting the cart before the horse in their on ice play. the bruins have the players that can be ridiculously physical, while still getting the job done. the pens were so concerned with not getting pushed around that they basically forgot to generate and stop quality chances a long the way using their speed.
- stayinthefnnet

There's a difference between not getting pushed around and Crosby trying to pick a fight with Chara. It's like Buffalo signing John Scott because of the Bruins games. You don't need to goon it up and overcompensate, just let it come.

definitely. its hard to discern too much for me though, because having your team be totally reckless in front of you can rattle goalies as well. it was just a brutal cycle. the team in front of him gives up breakaways and odd man rushes left and right, MAF gets PTSD and overcompensates and lets in repeated softies, resulting in the team in front of him trying to score at all costs even more, and so on and so on. a carousel of misery.

they do have a tendency to get too finesse though. they are the kid in college who everything was easy for and never had to study and therefore never learned how to crack down and put it to the grindstone. now theyre in law school and all of a sudden everythings ramped up and you cant just wing it and pot 5 in at a moments notice. they definitely hurt themselves
- stayinthefnnet

Do you ever think your team would be better equipped for the playoffs, if you traded Malkin for a really good two-way center like a Kesler or Bergeron? There would obviously be more coming back than just those guys.

Jagr and Ovechkin are totally different players. Jagr was a very good setup man and puck carrier. He's also an underrated back checker. You're comparing apples and oranges
- PhillySportsGuy

I wasnt compairing anything I was being sarcastic. To thow out a players numbers by saying all he is, is a sniper is silly. Sniper is a legit need in the NHL. Just because you prefer a guy that has an "overall" game does not mean that player is surpirior to a player that can score a goal, just by looking at a goalie. And IMO Ovechkin is not just a sniper. He Hits like a bull. He motivates his team. He might not be the best back-checker, but so what?

One of the most satisfying series win I can remember. Seeing the Pens lose control made it even more special. It was the most immature series of demonstrations I can remember in a long time. I just wish it was the Stanley Cup and not the first (frank)ing round!
- PhillySportsGuy

im sure that had to be awesome for you guys. both sides were immature all around, but the bottom line was the flyers got it done and they deserve credit for winning, whether they needed to get the pens off their game to do it or not.

the goonish acts by both sides were just sad to see. ill say this though, the flak crosby got for hitting the glove (admittedly, a silly childish act that just shows his head wasnt where it was supposed to be, and is therefore a victory in itself for the flyers) was beyond laughable. if pronger does that, like when he was gripping up pucks in chicago, its gamesmanship.

Do you ever think your team would be better equipped for the playoffs, if you traded Malkin for a really good two-way center like a Kesler or Bergeron? There would obviously be more coming back than just those guys.
- PhillySportsGuy

I would have been in favor of trading him to Florida, but that's a long, long post.

Do you ever think your team would be better equipped for the playoffs, if you traded Malkin for a really good two-way center like a Kesler or Bergeron? There would obviously be more coming back than just those guys.
- PhillySportsGuy

i honestly dont know if i would move him for bergeron, who is one of my man crushes in the league. it would be a hard decision, but i can definitely see the merit. i dont know if boston would pull the trigger on that either.

for as much as malkin needs to be waterboarded for his mental errors of the last couple years, that cup doesnt get won without his conn smythe winning performance.

im sure that had to be awesome for you guys. both sides were immature all around, but the bottom line was the flyers got it done and they deserve credit for winning, whether they needed to get the pens off their game to do it or not.

the goonish acts by both sides were just sad to see. ill say this though, the flak crosby got for hitting the glove (admittedly, a silly childish act that just shows his head wasnt where it was supposed to be, and is therefore a victory in itself for the flyers) was beyond laughable. if pronger does that, like when he was gripping up pucks in chicago, its gamesmanship.
- stayinthefnnet

Yeah, but Pronger's a jerk and has no issue with being the bad guy, and we know it. And he admits it. Crosby doesn't. So it's more that you expect it of Pronger. But it was overblown.

I wasnt compairing anything I was being sarcastic. To thow out a players numbers by saying all he is, is a sniper is silly. Sniper is a legit need in the NHL. Just because you prefer a guy that has an "overall" game does not mean that player is surpirior to a player that can score a goal, just by looking at a goalie. And IMO Ovechkin is not just a sniper. He Hits like a bull. He motivates his team. He might not be the best back-checker, but so what?
- youarewrong

Do you realize what you said?

Also, I don't just look at numbers. I watch him play. He doesn't do much except stand by the left circle and wait to let one rip.

i honestly dont know if i would move him for bergeron, who is one of my man crushes in the league. it would be a hard decision, but i can definitely see the merit. i dont know if boston would pull the trigger on that either.

for as much as malkin needs to be waterboarded for his mental errors of the last couple years, that cup doesnt get won without his conn smythe winning performance.
- stayinthefnnet

The hero of that run was Max "Superstar Treatment" Talbot. That's why he was on the other side of Championship Crunch with Hines Ward, not Malkin.

I wasnt compairing anything I was being sarcastic. To thow out a players numbers by saying all he is, is a sniper is silly. Sniper is a legit need in the NHL. Just because you prefer a guy that has an "overall" game does not mean that player is surpirior to a player that can score a goal, just by looking at a goalie. And IMO Ovechkin is not just a sniper. He Hits like a bull. He motivates his team. He might not be the best back-checker, but so what?
- youarewrong

oh yeah. OV is a god damn freight train. the fact that he can hit like weber, and score like he does. he is a physical marvel. but to me, that one highlight play a game he has the potential to make each game doesnt outweigh the ones crosby contributes when you also consider the dozens of little small things crosby does each game that contribute to his teams success in ways that OV doesnt.

im sure that had to be awesome for you guys. both sides were immature all around, but the bottom line was the flyers got it done and they deserve credit for winning, whether they needed to get the pens off their game to do it or not.

the goonish acts by both sides.
- stayinthefnnet

Don't try and lump us in with your head hunting suspension magnet James Neal.

Yeah, but Pronger's a jerk and has no issue with being the bad guy, and we know it. And he admits it. Crosby doesn't. So it's more that you expect it of Pronger. But it was overblown.
- jmatchett383

true.

Yeah, but Pronger's a jerk and has no issue with being the bad guy, and we know it. And he admits it. Crosby doesn't. So it's more that you expect it of Pronger. But it was overblown.
- jmatchett383

Its what happened afterward. Thats why people made such a big deal. It was funny though. All that powder keg needed was one spark and that little tap did the trick.

Don't try and lump us in with your head hunting suspension magnet James Neal.
- Feanor

that was both sides, and it was just sad. ill never defend that crap, neal doing it or not

Nope, it was just you guys in that series.

Do you realize what you said?

Also, I don't just look at numbers. I watch him play. He doesn't do much except stand by the left circle and wait to let one rip.
- PhillySportsGuy

yup. he barely has those freight train end to end rushes anymore. whether the teams just took it away, or he doesnt have the speed, or whatever. but its seldom seen. he used to have some runs from net to net where people just got out of his way and he buried one. now, he still has that hell of a heavy slapper or wicked wrister, but its really all it is.

Nope, it was just you guys in that series.
- Feanor

certainly

More Cups don't make you a better player. If you switched Crosby and Toews, do you think the Pens would be a better team?
- PhillySportsGuy

You mean if the league gave the hawks crosby?

that was both sides, and it was just sad. ill never defend that crap, neal doing it or not
- stayinthefnnet

I will say, of all of the craziness of that series, the only one I still have ill will towards (as in want to see him injured; not dead, not career ending, but hurt) is Neal. That was one of the worst cheap shots I've ever seen. He leapt at a dude's head from a blindside. But oh well, he wanted no part of Simmonds, so at least we know where he stands.

That's why I kind of respect Cooke. He knew Thornton was going after him, and he went on the ice, dropped his gloves, and took his beating. No turtling or declining.

You mean if the league gave the hawks crosby?
- jmdodgeser4

No, they gave them Kane.

I will say, of all of the craziness of that series, the only one I still have ill will towards (as in want to see him injured; not dead, not career ending, but hurt) is Neal. That was one of the worst cheap shots I've ever seen. He leapt at a dude's head from a blindside. But oh well, he wanted no part of Simmonds, so at least we know where he stands.

That's why I kind of respect Cooke. He knew Thornton was going after him, and he went on the ice, dropped his gloves, and took his beating. No turtling or declining.
- jmatchett383

that is some crazy talk right there

Do you ever think your team would be better equipped for the playoffs, if you traded Malkin for a really good two-way center like a Kesler or Bergeron? There would obviously be more coming back than just those guys.
- PhillySportsGuy

I think they would be better served if they traded Malkin to Edmonton for like Hall and Gagner.

I would have been in favor of trading him to Florida, but that's a long, long post.
- jmatchett383

Malkin would be in the hospital burn victims ward at all times.

http://www.sportingnews.c...-sidney-crosby-james-neal

I think they would be better served if they traded Malkin to Edmonton for like Hall and Gagner.
- youarewrong

Here was my trade:

Malkin
-for-
Huberdeau
Markstrom
Trochek
2013 1st and 2nd

Yes, it's a massive overpayment. But here's the thing: Malkin is not only a hockey player. He's a name. He's a billboard. He's a cardboard cutout at the liquor store. There's a team that has been around for 2 decades as of now and has zero fan base. Malkin is a guy you can build that fan base around.

In return, the Penguins get a top-line winger, a top young goalie, a good young center, and 2 nice picks.

that is some crazy talk right there
- Marc D

imean i guess in that sense yeah, he would stand up and go if you wanted. i dont really respect matt cooke for things up until the last year or so when he really changed. the dude is a really good third liner, but after that mcdonagh elbow he didnt deserve to see the ice. but he has pretty much become a respectable guy now. shows what a lengthy suspension will do and why the league needs to get serious