True. Every knowledgable hockey fan I know has started rooting for the Flyers now. Rangers, Devils, Buffalo, Leafs fans all rooting for PHILLY.

The smart Pens fans see whats up. Chalking this up as another "dumb Philly fans over reacting again" thing is just smug and clueless reasoning.
- hereticpride

I must question your use of the word "knowledgable". Those teams pretty much sum up all the trolls who are complaining here in this very forum.

Yes.

He did knock that glove...that was seriously mean.

And he did get into a scuffle with Timmonen and the Giroux...how dare him...hockey has never seen such barbarianism.

There's still a lot of hate/envy when it comes to Crosby.

There's no other way to describe fans who have a 3-0 lead...and yet they still aren't happy.

Only thing that will silence the Flyer fanbase is a career ending injury or a cup....

Nah...who am I kidding...they'd still find something to be angry about.
- icedog97

Not sure if you watched the game, but pay attention tomorrow as they will announce 3 Pens getting suspended. Crosby instigated the majority of the melees on the ice and looked like complete child doing it.

Neal’s act was a complete disgrace as well.

First Briere is run a week or two prior to the playoffs. I agree the hit was legal, but if you do not think there was an intent to injure and remove the NHL’s most productive playoff forward since the lockout just before their series with the Pens, you are more loopy than Crosby.

Now we have a series that has totally frustrated Malkin. The Pens and Malkin just have no answer for Courtier. Because of that they had to win at home. Now on the road they simply cannot get Malkin away from him. The rest of the league is finding out what we already know. At 19 Courtier is already one of the best all-around players in the NHL.

So Neal’s answer is to try and remove Courtier’s head from his shoulders. It should have been 5 and a game. It was not even called. Then he attempts to do the same to Giroux. Again, no call.

If you were leading 3 to 0 and Crosby and Staal almost had their heads taken off without a penalty, I’d think you would be ticked. So much for the Pens and their sensitivity towards concussions. I suppose anything goes now.

I don't know. Crosby and Malkin definitely coexisted just fine in 2009. In 2008, Malkin should have won the Conn Smythe as well...for being Detroit's best penalty killer. Many European hockey players, especially the really good ones, are just some weird, weird dudes.

Malkin was also healthy for the first time in a while this year.
- buffalofan19

Malkin has never been a healthy scratch, not once.

I think even the people who hate the Penguins can agree with that.
- icedog97

It's kinda sad seeing Crosby crumble in this manner.

This guy was once the best in the game. When healthy and focused he still is, but he remains a spoiled brat.

No humility what so ever. Such a sense of entitlement. He is very tough to root for right now. Things really have not changed with him since Jr.

Malkin has never been a healthy scratch, not once.
- Ben37

Malkin a healthy scratch?????

Not sure if you watched the game, but pay attention tomorrow as they will announce 3 Pens getting suspended. Crosby instigated the majority of the melees on the ice and looked like complete child doing it.

Neal’s act was a complete disgrace as well.

First Briere is run a week or two prior to the playoffs. I agree the hit was legal, but if you do not think there was an intent to injure and remove the NHL’s most productive playoff forward since the lockout just before their series with the Pens, you are more loopy than Crosby.

Now we have a series that has totally frustrated Malkin. The Pens and Malkin just have no answer for Courtier. Because of that they had to win at home. Now on the road they simply cannot get Malkin away from him. The rest of the league is finding out what we already know. At 19 Courtier is already one of the best all-around players in the NHL.

So Neal’s answer is to try and remove Courtier’s head from his shoulders. It should have been 5 and a game. It was not even called. Then he attempts to do the same to Giroux. Again, no call.

If you were leading 3 to 0 and Crosby and Staal almost had their heads taken off without a penalty, I’d think you would be ticked. So much for the Pens and their sensitivity towards concussions. I suppose anything goes now.
- acmilano3

Ummm, this happens almost every game they play in, playoffs or no playoffs. The Penguin stars never get a free ride (as much as it pains other teams fan bases to hear this). I'm pretty sure every team takes runs at Sid and Geno when they get the chance. Staal doesn't do any of the dirty work and really never mixes things up so he really is not much of a target.

But Sid and Geno get whacked, sticked, tripped, face washed etc more than or equal to any other players in the league. Now if they didn't do it back I would be disappointed.

Malkin a healthy scratch?????
- acmilano3

According to that Sabres fan he was this year for the first time in a long time. He's never been a healthy scratch.

Enough with yesterday already, enough.

Truth is we are not going to win by trying to play some sort of track meet with the Flyers. Instead of trying to just out score them how about some stifling defense! Because the last time I checked it is the PLAYOFFS! Thank you.

imagine what say the oilers would give up for Malkin, not to mention Crosby

I think Crosby has used all his Get our of Jail free passes and his stock is going down, id trade him.

And me a Flyers fan i have a picture of Me and Crosby on my wall from 04' with World Juniors and i was a big fan of his untill he started acting like a child. Most people have been following this guy since he's been 15-16 its not untill the NHL made him into what he that he lost his class
- jimlahey18

The Pens obviously need a defense, and the Oilers can't provide that. If I'm moving a talent like Malkin (I wouldn't trade Crosby), you need to get a #1 D + coming back.

Weber would be nice, but he's a RFA, but maybe the Sens will trade Karlsson so he, Letang, and Neal can trade hair secrets.

According to that Sabres fan he was this year for the first time in a long time. He's never been a healthy scratch.
- Ben37

I thought he said this was the first time in a while he was healthy, not that he's been a healthy scratch. I would agree, had he not been dealing with knee issues previously?

Not sure if you watched the game, but pay attention tomorrow as they will announce 3 Pens getting suspended. Crosby instigated the majority of the melees on the ice and looked like complete child doing it.

Neal’s act was a complete disgrace as well.

First Briere is run a week or two prior to the playoffs. I agree the hit was legal, but if you do not think there was an intent to injure and remove the NHL’s most productive playoff forward since the lockout just before their series with the Pens, you are more loopy than Crosby.

Now we have a series that has totally frustrated Malkin. The Pens and Malkin just have no answer for Courtier. Because of that they had to win at home. Now on the road they simply cannot get Malkin away from him. The rest of the league is finding out what we already know. At 19 Courtier is already one of the best all-around players in the NHL.

So Neal’s answer is to try and remove Courtier’s head from his shoulders. It should have been 5 and a game. It was not even called. Then he attempts to do the same to Giroux. Again, no call.

If you were leading 3 to 0 and Crosby and Staal almost had their heads taken off without a penalty, I’d think you would be ticked. So much for the Pens and their sensitivity towards concussions. I suppose anything goes now.
- acmilano3

Not sure you paid attention to the comment this originated from.

It had to do with the hatred and envy toward Crosby.

But thanks for all the other information...I'll make sure to pay attention from now on...if you do too!

Oh...and by the way...in terms of paying attention again...there were penalties called...Neal got one for Giroux...only for some reason is says Voracek.

15:18 Pittsburgh charging - 2 min J. Neal drawn by J. Voracek
15:18 Pittsburgh roughing - 2 min C. Kunitz drawn by J. Voracek
15:18 Philadelphia roughing - 2 min J. Voracek drawn by C. Kunitz
15:18 Pittsburgh misconduct - 10 min D. Engelland
15:18 Philadelphia roughing - 2 min W. Simmonds drawn by J. Neal
15:18 Philadelphia misconduct - 10 min W. Simmonds drawn by J. Neal
15:18 Philadelphia roughing - 2 min S. Hartnell drawn by S. Crosby
15:18 Philadelphia fighting - 5 min S. Hartnell drawn by C. Adams
15:18 Pittsburgh roughing - 2 min S. Crosby drawn by S. Hartnell
15:18 Pittsburgh instigator - 2 min C. Adams drawn by S. Hartnell
15:18 Pittsburgh misconduct - 10 min J. Neal
15:18 Pittsburgh fighting - 5 min C. Adams drawn by S. Hartnell
15:18 Pittsburgh game misconduct - 10 min C. Adams drawn by S. Hartnell

According to that Sabres fan he was this year for the first time in a long time. He's never been a healthy scratch.
- Ben37

He said healthy, not healthy scratch

Bob McKenzie ‏ @TSNBobMcKenzie Reply Retweet Favorite · Open
PIT will be without Craig Adams in game four. His instigator in last 5 minutes stands. Auto 1 game suspension. $10K fine for Dan Bylsma.
- rival22

That's really going to hurt the penalty kill.

I thought he said this was the first time in a while he was healthy, not that he's been a healthy scratch. I would agree, had he not been dealing with knee issues previously?
- BulliesPhan87

Shoulder and both knees.

That's really going to hurt the penalty kill.
- akane13

Lol, yeah. I think our success rate is 40%

According to that Sabres fan he was this year for the first time in a long time. He's never been a healthy scratch.
- Ben37

I said he was healthy, not a healthy scratch.

Lol, yeah. I think our success rate is 40%
- Gunner Staal

Yep, the Flyers are 6/10 on the PP with 3 shorties

The Pens obviously need a defense, and the Oilers can't provide that. If I'm moving a talent like Malkin (I wouldn't trade Crosby), you need to get a #1 D + coming back.

Weber would be nice, but he's a RFA, but maybe the Sens will trade Karlsson so he, Letang, and Neal can trade hair secrets.
- nhindian

Nice, hair secrets. Nice.

Lol, yeah. I think our success rate is 40%
- Gunner Staal

I tuned in looking for information about Neal. I thought that would be announced by now too. Figured they would make the announcement at the end of the day so no one was around to take calls. You know..typical HR move.

You gents have a good one. It's too nice outside to worry about this.

I tuned in looking for information about Neal. I thought that would be announced by now too. Figured they would make the announcement at the end of the day so no one was around to take calls. You know..typical HR move.

You gents have a good one. It's too nice outside to worry about this.
- akane13

His hearing is tomorrow I believe.

I said he was healthy, not a healthy scratch.
- buffalofan19

Sorry mate, apparently my eyes are tricking me today.

I must question your use of the word "knowledgable". Those teams pretty much sum up all the trolls who are complaining here in this very forum.
- Sell My Monkey

I think Pittsburgh to many people became kind of like Vancouver did last year. I went into the series rooting for Vancouver, largely because, as a Sabres fan, I do not like Boston at all. However, as the series went on, their antics, such as the biting incident, Luongo being a disaster, and their complete failure to show up in Boston made them really hard to root for. It got to the point where I didn't care who won that series.

Pittsburgh seems to be the same way. As a Sabres fan, I don't like Philly (though I'll never having a problem seeing Briere succeed), but I'm not really partial to Pittsburgh either. Quite frankly, I just wanted to see the road team win every game in the series just so each team's fans went home miserable. However, as the series has gone on, Pittsburgh's meltdowns and antics have made them really hard to root for. As game 3 progressed, things just got ridiculous, to the point that you just wanted to see Pittsburgh throw in the towel. We all know Pittsburgh is better than this, and when they act like it, which is at least 90% of the time, they're a fun team to watch. However, when they resort to this, which happened at the worst possible team, I think the majority of the "outside" hockey world says "good, I'm glad they're getting their asses kicked". It's not so much rooting against Pittsburgh (though I'm sure there are more than a few of those people out there, just like for any team that's remotely relevant in the NHL), as it is being glad to see that they get what they deserve. There's no denying...they're getting it this series. They'll learn from it. They'll ultimately be a better team from it, but right now, they deserve the embarrassment.

I think Pittsburgh to many people became kind of like Vancouver did last year. I went into the series rooting for Vancouver, largely because, as a Sabres fan, I do not like Boston at all. However, as the series went on, their antics, such as the biting incident, Luongo being a disaster, and their complete failure to show up in Boston made them really hard to root for. It got to the point where I didn't care who won that series.

Pittsburgh seems to be the same way. As a Sabres fan, I don't like Philly (though I'll never having a problem seeing Briere succeed), but I'm not really partial to Pittsburgh either. Quite frankly, I just wanted to see the road team win every game in the series just so each team's fans went home miserable. However, as the series has gone on, Pittsburgh's meltdowns and antics have made them really hard to root for. As game 3 progressed, things just got ridiculous, to the point that you just wanted to see Pittsburgh throw in the towel. We all know Pittsburgh is better than this, and when they act like it, which is at least 90% of the time, they're a fun team to watch. However, when they resort to this, which happened at the worst possible team, I think the majority of the "outside" hockey world says "good, I'm glad they're getting their asses kicked". It's not so much rooting against Pittsburgh (though I'm sure there are more than a few of those people out there, just like for any team that's remotely relevant in the NHL), as it is being glad to see that they get what they deserve. There's no denying...they're getting it this series. They'll learn from it. They'll ultimately be a better team from it, but right now, they deserve the embarrassment.
- buffalofan19

If they lean from it, and we hope they do it is certainly the school of hard knocks.

time to move on from game 3..

Does it surprise anyone that in the NHL playoffs emotions got out of hand?
Seriously who cares that Crosby knocked away Voraceks glove. No problem with that... this isn't the MLB where intimidation comes in the form of who has the best song for their closer coming in from the bullpen.

By rule Adams should be out 1 game unless the league decides they are not sending a message. Depending on which city you come from you will have different opinions on Asham and Neal..

I don't care about any of that. I want my Flyers to win the cup and they are 1 game away from getting the first round done. So what I do care about is the following.

1. The Pens , as a forward group, cannot match the Flyers depth or team speed. I hope they continue to try to though =)

2. Neither goalie has played great though you could make the case that the Bryz glove save on Letang possibly saved that game.

3. I hope the Flyers win on Wed because the longer this goes the more likely someone is going to get hurt.

4. I would not be surprised if it comes out that Malkin is dealing with an injury of some sort. Couturier has been amazing and everything you could want out of a 19 year old but something just seems off with Malkin right now.

5. In these playoffs , to this point Giroux needs to be mentioned in the same light that Crosby and Malkin are. He is that good currently.

Best of luck Pens, lets go Flyers!

Bottom line Crosby didn't act like a captain. Started when he was banging at Bryzgalov's glove. Then too many skirmishes after that. He should have told his team to settle down and then go out and score goals. It's not like Philly was stopping the puck very well in the series either. They had a chance to be in that game, but lost composure and embarrassed the franchise. I've never turned off a playoff game in my life til that. So I went and did my taxes to cool off. They could have lost 8-0, fine, but once you start hurting players and lacking any self-discipline instead of bucking up and playing hard, you lose all respect.

I'm really hoping for a stiff suspension for Neal.