There will always be a large contingent of fans who feel this way about the refs. Nothing new.
- funmaster18

Is it completely unwarranted?

Crosby broke his stick 2 times on slashes in that Sunday afternoon game a couple games ago. He also had about 5 more penalty worthy slashes that went unpunished. There is no doubt that superstars get a bit of leeway in this league.. and the pens have arguably 3 superstars on their team.

I think game one is very important. Win or lose, both teams will be looking to make a statement tonight. I can't wait!
- funmaster18

Completely agree. I wait all year for playoff hockey and get insanely pumped. I'd love to see a deep run and I love the fight this team seems to have.

Is it bad I'm already clock watching?
- funmaster18

It is like being a kids on Christmas morning.

Mom and Pop tell you you cant get out of your room until a 7. You have been awake since 4:30 and just stare at the clock the rest of the time waiting for 7!

It's way overblown. And the majority of it is hype. A superstar player like Crosby is going to get some calls go his way. It's been that way in sports for a long time. But it's highly exaggerated over what actually happens.
- MJL

Good and bad calls will be made for and against both teams.. but like you said above in bold... Crosby Malkin and Letang get that benefit most of the time

Talbot game winner tonight.
- KGBflyers10

How sweet that would be!

lets go boys!!! super pumped for tonight!! Can't wait......What's everyone doing for the game?

Good and bad calls will be made for and against both teams.. but like you said above in bold... Crosby Malkin and Letang get that benefit most of the time
- jak521

Sometimes they do. But I feel it is way, way overblown. And it's a lot of hype that has built up over the years, that is totally exaggerated over what actually happens.

Nice.

let the massacre begin.. after all, I'd say almost everyone is taking Pittsburgh to destroy us.. use the underdog label to our advantage Lavy!

Seriously though, the experts don't really make a lot of sense on their predictions here. They say it's going to be a war or probably the best series in the first round, but everyone to a man are taking the Pens. If it's going to be a war and very even etc.. shouldn't the series be basically a coin flip as to who wins?
- Hextall271

I'm glad they are picking Pittsburgh -- I also like that they think there D is better than ours.

Completely agree. I wait all year for playoff hockey and get insanely pumped. I'd love to see a deep run and I love the fight this team seems to have.
- Hextall271

My team was talking about taking the crowd out of it early on... and what was the best way. Obviously a goal quick would be great, but if the reg season is any indication... Someone else mentioned dumping pucks to slow the game. Slow the game down.. you take the crowd out of it.

Personally I would love to see us pot a goal and follow it with a solid 60 minute effort. Either way.. we need to play from in front in the Playoffs.. and we need to keep Sidgeni Cralkin out of his comfort zone.

Sometimes they do. But I feel it is way, way overblown. And it's a lot of hype that has built up over the years, that is totally exaggerated over what actually happens.
- MJL

I think its more of a coping mechanism, where fans need something to blame outside of the team they cheer for.

Is it exaggerated.. yet it most certainly is... but it doesnt mean there isnt credence to what they claim.

Many fans for some reason are already giving the officiating far too much credit. The first game hasn't even started and complaints are already starting. The players are going to decide who wins, not the refs.
- MJL

Thank you. It is one think to gripe and complain about a dubious call...blaming the refs for your potential demise in advance is just

I'd love to see us take game one to ensure a split going home.. A victory tonight and all those taking heads will be like wow.. this isn't a foregone conclusion that the Pens move on. I expect a parade to the penalty box every time someone touches Malkin or Crosby. THe strategy has to be, just get over it don't argue kill em off and find a way to win.
- Hextall271

i agree -- there will be a lot of penalties in game one -- but I think it'll lessen as the series goes on.

Good and bad calls will be made for and against both teams.. but like you said above in bold... Crosby Malkin and Letang get that benefit most of the time
- jak521

They certainly do! Giroux is at that level performance wise, but he rarely gets the benefits those 3 do from the officials.

Is it completely unwarranted?

Crosby broke his stick 2 times on slashes in that Sunday afternoon game a couple games ago. He also had about 5 more penalty worthy slashes that went unpunished. There is no doubt that superstars get a bit of leeway in this league.. and the pens have arguably 3 superstars on their team.
- jak521

Im sure it happens, but it's not a conspiracy that the NHL wants the pens to win and flyers to lose. When Pronger played he got away with a lot as does Jagr. It happens everywhere and it's not one sided, IMO.

Thank you. It is one think to gripe and complain about a dubious call...blaming the refs for your potential demise in advance is just
- Emperor Filonius

No blame here and "if" the Flyers don't win the series it won't be due to poor officiating. Simply discussing the leeway which the Penqueens big 3 always seem to get.

They certainly do! Giroux is at that level performance wise, but he rarely gets the benefits those 3 do from the officials.
- aantny88

This is Girouxs first season as a top performer. Do you really think he has earned leeway from the refs?

I'm glad they are picking Pittsburgh -- I also like that they think there D is better than ours.
- flyersfan51

Carle-Timonen
Grossman-Coburn
Lilja-MAB
Lilja

Orpik-Letang
Martin-Michalek
Niskanen(hurt) Strait-Engelland

Top 4's are possibly tilted to the pens bc of Letang.

When healthy, they have the better 5-6 combo as well.

Is it completely unwarranted?

Crosby broke his stick 2 times on slashes in that Sunday afternoon game a couple games ago. He also had about 5 more penalty worthy slashes that went unpunished. There is no doubt that superstars get a bit of leeway in this league.. and the pens have arguably 3 superstars on their team.
- jak521

Completely agree and this is exactly what worries. Me. Perhaps it's not a conscious thing but he and Malkin do seem to get away with more.

Hey Bill,
That is great you were on Dave's radio show.
Heller and I are old friends and I still get to see him at least once a year despite living on the opposite coast. Dave has historically been a bigger fan of the Sixers over the Flyers. Maybe you will convert him to the orange and black.

This is Girouxs first season as a top performer. Do you really think he has earned leeway from the refs?
- funmaster18

It shouldnt be that way.. thats my gripe.

If the rule says you slash someone and break a stick its a penalty.. than i dont care if its Chris Neil or Sid.. it should be a penalty.

If Rinaldo throws little rabbit punches to a the back of crosby's head while the two or down on the ice in the corner.. it would be called.. BECAUSE IT IS A PENALTY. If Malkin does it to Giroux, it should be called as well.

There is certainly some truth to the claims made by many NHL personalities.

It shouldnt be that way.. thats my gripe.

If the rule says you slash someone and break a stick its a penalty.. than i dont care if its Chris Neil or Sid.. it should be a penalty.

If Rinaldo throws little rabbit punches to a the back of crosby's head while the two or down on the ice in the corner.. it would be called.. BECAUSE IT IS A PENALTY. If Malkin does it to Giroux, it should be called as well.

There is certainly some truth to the claims made by many NHL personalities.
- jak521

I was responding to the fact that some feel Giroux should get better treatment because he's a top performer now. I agree everything should be called, but will the officiating ever be perfect? No. So I don't really spend time thinking about it. It's why capitalizing on PPs in the playoffs is so important while killing them off is equally as essential.

This is Girouxs first season as a top performer. Do you really think he has earned leeway from the refs?
- funmaster18

Really first season? Might want to check those stats bud...13th in the league last year and 3rd this year in points doesn't make it a first season as a top performer. He should have earned some leeway by now if they're going to give it to other "top performers"! It shouldn't even be necessary at all but some people whine to the refs about every call or non call gone their way and some don't. G doesn't seem the type to act like a baby...

Carle-Timonen
Grossman-Coburn
Lilja-MAB
Lilja

Orpik-Letang
Martin-Michalek
Niskanen(hurt) Strait-Engelland

Top 4's are possibly tilted to the pens bc of Letang.

When healthy, they have the better 5-6 combo as well.
- jak521

Martin is very over-rated and hasn't had a good year. Michalek has been up and down. and I think I'd go with Kubina over MAB

Really first season? Might want to check those stats bud...13th in the league last year and 3rd this year in points doesn't make it a first season as a top performer. He should have earned some leeway by now!
- aantny88

Guy has been in the top 2 of team scoring since his first playoffs.

Really first season? Might want to check those stats bud...13th in the league last year and 3rd this year in points doesn't make it a first season as a top performer. He should have earned some leeway by now if they're going to give it to other "top performers"! It shouldn't even be necessary at all but some people whine to the refs about every call or non call gone their way and some don't. G doesn't seem the type to act like a baby...
- aantny88

Please don't call me bud, it sounds condescending. And yes I do consider this his first year as a star because it's his first year as the leader of the team. That's my opinion. This year has been a completely new level for him.