I was reading the Rags blog and a couple of those guys feel that Nisk tripped Gaborik on that potential break away. I thought the replay clearly showed Nisk got the puck when he dove to the ice. The puck clearly was knocked away from Gaborik. If Nisk doesn't get the puck first it's a trip for sure. Anybody else have thoughts on that?
- madmike71

I have always believed that if you get the puck before the skate, then it is a legal play. I guess it could be argued that you still must have control of your stick.

I was reading the Rags blog and a couple of those guys feel that Nisk tripped Gaborik on that potential break away. I thought the replay clearly showed Nisk got the puck when he dove to the ice. The puck clearly was knocked away from Gaborik. If Nisk doesn't get the puck first it's a trip for sure. Anybody else have thoughts on that?
- madmike71

It seemed to have been a correct no-call... but I wouldn't feel too strongly if it was called a trip.

Rule 57 - Tripping
57.1 Tripping – A player shall not place the stick, knee, foot, arm, hand or elbow in such a manner that causes his opponent to trip or fall.

Accidental trips which occur simultaneously with a completed play will not be penalized. Accidental trips occurring simultaneously with or after a stoppage of play will not be penalized.

If, in the opinion of the Referee, a player makes contact with the puck first and subsequently trips the opponent in so doing, no penalty shall be assessed.

Niskanen did get the puck first... I'd have to see the replay again, but on first look last night, it didn't seem like Gaborik made much of an effort to avoid being tripped (if that makes sense).

A decisive win against the devils will make me feel a lot better about a possible playoff matchup at some point, plus the Devils are only 4 points behind us.

And then Philly, is only 2 points back and have some very winnable games after Sunday.

It's amazing, a 10 game winning streak really hasn't done much to distance the Pens from anyone.
- rival22

Pens, Flyers and Devils have all been playing great lately. I wouldn't be surprised if the Rags ended up settling into the #4 or #5 spot when it's all said and done. They only have 1 line that creates any offence, when Hank isn't playing it exposes their lack of depth. Even with that, Hank is tired and hasn't been to sh1t hot lately.

Pens, Flyers and Devils have all been playing great lately. I wouldn't be surprised if the Rags ended up settling into the #4 or #5 spot when it's all said and done. They only have 1 line that creates any offence, when Hank isn't playing it exposes their lack of depth. Even with that, Hank is tired and hasn't been to sh1t hot lately.
- canadianpenfan

Maybe this little illness stretch could be good for Hank... give him a little rest.

Its funny seeing every team in the Southeast have a negative goal differential. One of those strange things.

Its funny seeing every team in the Southeast have a negative goal differential. One of those strange things.
- Deadstar

More ammunition for realignment.

More ammunition for realignment.
- canadianpenfan

Yeah, but just wait until one of the teams in the newly reconstituted Patrick Division misses the playoffs with 97 points and a southeast team gets in with 88. The internet wailing will be epic.

They can wish career ending injuries on our team as we move on and they start planning the draft.
- canadianpenfan

The best part is that the draft is held in Pittsburgh too. Just to rub a little more salt into the wound.

What a bunch of hypocrites they are. They spent about 10 pages villifying Matt Cooke (I can understand why), but then they started to hope for a career ending headshot on Crosby.

So if Thiessen gets a start this weekend, what game would be better, or should we roll with MAF in both and let Thiessen get in against Winnipeg Tuesday, giving MAF a nice break before Nashville?

He got puck first, it wasn't a trip. The elbow mas a pretty bad missed call though. Either way, we scored 5, all at even strength and they scored 2. That's why they lost. They whine more than anyone else on this site and I love laughing at them. I want so bad to be the team to end their season. They can wish career ending injuries on our team as we move on and they start planning the draft.
- canadianpenfan

Pretty much what I thought.....same with the elbow to tenk. I sincerely agree with ending their season. They are clearly the whiniest fans....by far. I mean philly has some idiots, but most are pretty rational. One thing I never read on our board is hoping injury on other teams players.....

Pretty much what I thought.....same with the elbow to tenk. I sincerely agree with ending their season. They are clearly the whiniest fans....by far. I mean philly has some idiots, but most are pretty rational. One thing I never read on our board is hoping injury on other teams players.....
- madmike71

Frank them. I hope they all broke something in their house when Cooke scored. I mean 2 things

So if Thiessen gets a start this weekend, what game would be better, or should we roll with MAF in both and let Thiessen get in against Winnipeg Tuesday, giving MAF a nice break before Nashville?
- ryman1566

I would give Theissen Saturday's game.

I would give Theissen Saturday's game.
- canadianpenfan

Yup, I aint watching it anyways!

I would give Theissen Saturday's game.
- canadianpenfan

2nd that...

I would give Theissen Saturday's game.
- canadianpenfan

I would give him the Flyers game. Your not going to score a lot against NJ and if Theissen is going to give up a few which is likely you will need to score as well. Just my thoughts

Yup, I aint watching it anyways!
- Gunner Staal

DVR brother! When I have to miss a pens game, I dvr and stay away from radio. Just like watching it in real time plus the bonus of avoiding Steigy and Errey during the period breaks.

I was reading the Rags blog and a couple of those guys feel that Nisk tripped Gaborik on that potential break away. I thought the replay clearly showed Nisk got the puck when he dove to the ice. The puck clearly was knocked away from Gaborik. If Nisk doesn't get the puck first it's a trip for sure. Anybody else have thoughts on that?
- madmike71

I saw that, I don't know if it's ignorance or a lack of understanding of that rule. Niskanen clearly got the puck first and then trippe Gaborik which is not a penalty.

Knowing the Ranger fans, they probably know that rule, but are just whining.

DVR brother! When I have to miss a pens game, I dvr and stay away from radio. Just like watching it in real time plus the bonus of avoiding Steigy and Errey during the period breaks.
- madmike71

Devils games arent worth my DVR space.

Devils games arent worth my DVR space.
- Gunner Staal

Can't argue with that.....

I was reading the Rags blog and a couple of those guys feel that Nisk tripped Gaborik on that potential break away. I thought the replay clearly showed Nisk got the puck when he dove to the ice. The puck clearly was knocked away from Gaborik. If Nisk doesn't get the puck first it's a trip for sure. Anybody else have thoughts on that?
- madmike71

No-call seemed the right call to me, looked like he got the puck. On another note, I know that most of you don't like the Pens announcers (so I am not bashing them to get anybody worked up), but they sounded so ridiculous when they tried to say that the Pens player hit the Rangers player's leg on what appeared to be an obvious slashing the stick call when the Pens were on a 4 minute PP. Can't understand how they don't see that they have no credibility with the viewer if they don't make at least a slight effort at being objective.

No-call seemed the right call to me, looked like he got the puck. On another note, I know that most of you don't like the Pens announcers (so I am not bashing them to get anybody worked up), but they sounded so ridiculous when they tried to say that the Pens player hit the Rangers player's leg on what appeared to be an obvious slashing the stick call when the Pens were on a 4 minute PP. Can't understand how they don't see that they have no credibility with the viewer if they don't make at least a slight effort at being objective.
- MadCap2008

It is a helpless feeling, further compounded by knowing a hall of fame caliber broadcaster is on the radio.

I think more important than the goalie starts is do they play Crosby in both weekend games? I might err on the side of caution and sit him down for the Flyers game. I hate to say that but being the 2nd of back to backs and the fact it's the Flyers it might be a wise decision.

I'll give you Mario he is a certified player. But fitzpatrick was nothing more than a journeyman who had a descent start to last year and they overpaid him big time. I commend them for giving out contracts but the Fitzpatrick deal isn't one that helps that franchise. Unless he is truly the player that started the season last year. Stevie Johnson is a solid receiver.
- dbell646

Not everybody has a Roethlisberger fall into their lap in a great year for QB's. If you've been a Steelers fan for very long, you must remember the years when they had a team good enough to compete for and perhaps win Super Bowls but be held back by the likes of Neil O'Donnell and Kordell Stewart. Franchise QB's are rare -- sometimes you have to commit to a guy like Fitspatrick who, while not an elite QB, certainly looks competent enough if surrounded by decent talent.

No-call seemed the right call to me, looked like he got the puck. On another note, I know that most of you don't like the Pens announcers (so I am not bashing them to get anybody worked up), but they sounded so ridiculous when they tried to say that the Pens player hit the Rangers player's leg on what appeared to be an obvious slashing the stick call when the Pens were on a 4 minute PP. Can't understand how they don't see that they have no credibility with the viewer if they don't make at least a slight effort at being objective.
- MadCap2008

They have no credibility with 95% of us. I think the fact that Steigy picked up Mario from the airport back in 84 when he first came to town, must hold some special string in Mario's heart to this day. Probably that's why he still has a job.

Ask the Rags fans if Vitale getting tripped, leading to their first goal was worth a penalty, if they feel like complaining about calls/non calls

No-call seemed the right call to me, looked like he got the puck. On another note, I know that most of you don't like the Pens announcers (so I am not bashing them to get anybody worked up), but they sounded so ridiculous when they tried to say that the Pens player hit the Rangers player's leg on what appeared to be an obvious slashing the stick call when the Pens were on a 4 minute PP. Can't understand how they don't see that they have no credibility with the viewer if they don't make at least a slight effort at being objective.
- MadCap2008

I don't think it's that they're not objective, I think they're just flat out stupid. Errey was going on about the trip on Gaborik, he couldn't believe it wasn't a penalty. Hopefully somebody with some pull noticed how useless they are on a national stage last night and we have new announcers next year.