Saw this on Insider On Pittsburgh Sports:

I do find it funny though how everyone in Philly is blind to the fact that they have been praising the Flyers for acting the way we did yesterday for years and now that we turn into them it's a travesty. I'm embarrassed by the way we are playing and acting however we are doing nothing more than mirroring what the Flyers have been for 30 years.

So true!!!
- stevens87

Thats funny. Those mean Flyers.

Washington Boston game is a good one. Back and forth all game.
- kgrpitt

If the Penguins are divers what does that make Marchand? I was watching it at the pub and he went down every time he was touched. Drew one penalty so I guess it worked.

Also is there a better player outside of Philadelphia than Brian Boyle right now? It sounds weird to say but that guy is doing everything, including leading his team in scoring. Lundquist was out of his mind tonight, holy cow.

Thats funny. Those mean Flyers.
- stveshdy

No, it just proves the point, when you guys did it was great, the flyers were TOUGH but when it is done to you, you play "the victim".

What did he do?
- Ben37

I didn't see it but he apparently cross checked Peverley after the buzzer. Big loss for WSH he's their best player.

No, it just proves the point, when you guys did it was great, the flyers were TOUGH but when it is done to you, you play "the victim".
- stevens87

What year are we talking about? The rules in the NHL have changed. Half the stuff that was allowed in hockey has been taken out of the game. I dont have a problem with Pittsburgh trying to set a tone. I just dont like guys who dont fight one on one, cross check in the throat, hit players who dont have the puck, or purposely head hunt players.

If you do it the right way theres no beef imo.

I didn't see it but he apparently cross checked Peverley after the buzzer. Big loss for WSH he's their best player.
- Gunner Staal

Yeah it was after the whistle but I thought it was an auto suspension only if they instigate a fight in the last 5 min of the game?

What year are we talking about? The rules in the NHL have changed. Half the stuff that was allowed in hockey has been taken out of the game. I dont have a problem with Pittsburgh trying to set a tone. I just dont like guys who dont fight one on one, cross check in the throat, hit players who dont have the puck, or purposely head hunt players.

If you do it the right way theres no beef imo.
- stveshdy

+1

Yeah it was after the whistle but I thought it was an auto suspension only if they instigate a fight in the last 5 min of the game?
- kgrpitt

He got a match penalty.

If the Penguins are divers what does that make Marchand? I was watching it at the pub and he went down every time he was touched. Drew one penalty so I guess it worked.

Also is there a better player outside of Philadelphia than Brian Boyle right now? It sounds weird to say but that guy is doing everything, including leading his team in scoring. Lundquist was out of his mind tonight, holy cow.
- canadianpenfan

Yeah seriously, he was flopping a good bit all night. As for Boyle he is doing everything the rangers need him to do. Every team that goes far in the playoffs always has that one guy that isn't a normal scorer who comes out and lights it up in the playoffs. He is that guy for the rangers in my opinion.

Lundqvist is always a beast but tonight he was on another level. Same as Quick this entire postseason.

He got a match penalty.
- Gunner Staal

Ahh I missed that.

Yeah it was after the whistle but I thought it was an auto suspension only if they instigate a fight in the last 5 min of the game?
- kgrpitt

Match is auto suspension until it is reviewed or rescinded.

I'm really sorry to hear this John. Whether it's you or a loved one I hope you conquer it.
- canadianpenfan

Thanks canadianpenfan. It's not me but I'd trade places in a second.

ah, the Penguins are so distracted they're lashing out at Gingrich.

http://www.politico.com/b...-by-a-penguin-120698.html

Thanks canadianpenfan. It's not me but I'd trade places in a second.
- the-mitch-wilsons

I've been there my friend. I wouldn't wish a situation like that on my worst enemy. Stay strong John. Keep writing even if we finish this epic collapse, might help to keep your mind off things. Let me know if there's anything I can do, even from way up here.

I've been there my friend. I wouldn't wish a situation like that on my worst enemy. Stay strong John. Keep writing even if we finish this epic collapse, might help to keep your mind off things. Let me know if there's anything I can do, even from way up here.
- canadianpenfan

We can supply stronger beer. It's better for numbing emotions.

The Blues look solid again tonight.

We can supply stronger beer. It's better for numbing emotions.

The Blues look solid again tonight.
- Ben37

They're going to win the cup.

edit- 2 late ones, go figure.

They're going to win the cup.

edit- 2 late ones, go figure.
- canadianpenfan

I think that when the Flyers have ended the suffering I might jump on the Blues ship. I like their team.

I think that when the Flyers have ended the suffering I might jump on the Blues ship. I like their team.
- Ben37

I picked Pens/Blues. Still think I'll be half right.

So I haven't had a chance to read today, but are we going to have anyone left to play Wednesday?

Don weighs in...

Don weighs in...

- canadianpenfan

But....but...but the Flyers wouldn't antagonize a player would they. I mean it's bush league, immoral, and whatever else the trolls have called the Penguins over the last 36 hours.

1. How many games will the Penguins win against the Flyers in this series?

I see them winning game four and thats it the push to get a game four win gasses the pens and they can't keep the D up for game five.


2. Is Sidney Crosby’s explanation of his actions Sunday credible because it’s “playoff hockey?” Would Sunday’s scenario played out any differently had it been the regular season? Should Crosby received the benefit of the doubt within the context of playoff hockey?

If he didn't have a C on the front of his jersey, then I would say it could. Its that C that hurts the team.

3. Who is on the Penguins’ chopping block heading into the offseason – provided they don’t become the fourth team in history to win four straight (as the Flyers did against Boston in 2010)?

I agree with an earlier post that Malkin and Crosby on the same team doesn't work. You could probably get a great bundle of players for one of them. Send Sid to a dead market, and see how he preforms.

4. Does anyone on the Pens deserve a raise?

From what I've seen from the other side of the state, I like kennedy. I also think neal deserved one too, before sunday, if he had lost his composure to the point of getting suspended in the regular season is one thing, to do it in the playoffs loses him that raise. I also think Staal will only improve.

5. Are the Flyers this good or are the Penguins that bad?

I think the flyers are underestimated because of their youth, but I think the pens poor d has killed them.

6. Do you think the Pens would be down three nil against a different opponent? Should the league make a change to reward teams that finish second in conference points yet play the team with the third-most points in Round 1?

I think the Blues would have put them in this hole and possibly the Rangers or the Kings.

The only issue I have with the seeding is that if the third division winner wouldn't crack the top 8 in the conference then they shouldn't make the playoffs.


7. How has the quarterfinals matchup impacted your feeling toward the Penguins? If you were Mario Lemieux, what would you do?

If I were mario I would trade one of my big stars (Crosby, Malkin, Fleury or neal/staal to a lesser extent) to shake up my team. Imho I think Crosby needs to move to a struggling market team for some of their high prospects. Malkin is also a guy to build a team around, and a lot of teams would give up an arm and a leg for. I think Staal would flourish without having to be stuck with third line minutes.

I would also strip Crosby of the C, while he is the face of the franchise that doesn't make him a leader. Malkin doesn't strike me as one either. I would try to find a leader in the locker room, or make a move to gain a personality that is leadership worthy.

I don't watch the pens much but I think Bylsma needs to go, he strikes me as a guy who can't really stand up to the egos in a star studded locker room. I could be totally off base on that tho.

But....but...but the Flyers wouldn't antagonize a player would they. I mean it's bush league, immoral, and whatever else the trolls have called the Penguins over the last 36 hours.
- Ben37

The difference lies in the fact that we love our antagonizers because when it comes to blows we brought ones in that weren't scared to drop the gloves. Also short of desjardins, to be the captain of the flyers, you have to be able to stand up for your team and teamates by being willing to drop the gloves. We don't like players that antagonize and don't back it up.

Crosby is lucky the Flyers didn't have him

The difference lies in the fact that we love our antagonizers because when it comes to blows we brought ones in that weren't scared to drop the gloves. Also short of desjardins, to be the captain of the flyers, you have to be able to stand up for your team and teamates by being willing to drop the gloves. We don't like players that antagonize and don't back it up.
- vinniepayne

I watched Crosby drop his gloves earlier in the game. I don't expect him to fight Scott Hartnell, that is why there are guys like Craig Adams.

If the Penguins are divers what does that make Marchand? I was watching it at the pub and he went down every time he was touched. Drew one penalty so I guess it worked.

Also is there a better player outside of Philadelphia than Brian Boyle right now? It sounds weird to say but that guy is doing everything, including leading his team in scoring. Lundquist was out of his mind tonight, holy cow.
- canadianpenfan

Marchand is seriously a disgrace -- I don't know how he ever draws a penalty with all the diving/fake injury stuff.