I got to say something Colin Campbell was a tool but it was never this bad was it?? I mean he suspended guys left and right just he was off the number games a lot of the times. Weber getting fined 2,500 open the door for guys to go ballistic. Hagelin got a 3 game suspension CArkner 1 game and Weber drills a guys head into the glass and gets a fine of $2,500 really??
- kasperrko

I don't know.... remember last year, early in the playoffs, when he let Raffi Torres go with that behind the net headshot and made some stupid reason up that it's legal to kill guys behind the net. All hell broke out that next week or so with players out of control.

Same thing with Webber getting off. Not saying that any of this recent crap wouldn't have happened, but you gotta thing if Shanahan laid down the law on Webber, guys would think twice about it. Look at early in the season when he suspended everyone... things calmed down a bit after that.

We all keep saying that players need to respect each other, and I agree, but one trend that REALLY bothers me is players acting like they are dead after bad or boarderline hits. We saw Mike Smith collapse and get attended to by the team doctor and stay in the game.... Even yesterday with Schenn and Couturier... both guys acted like they were dead, but were back on the ice in less than 3 minutes. Penguins do it too... If the players don't respect the game or each other, I'm all done getting mad about suspensions or non-suspensions.

takin your ball and going home? sid, is that you?
- flyershockey

No, just choosing not to feed the trolls. Find your enjoyment somewhere else.

no one is whining or complaining, just saying it proves everyone's preconceived notions about him...that he's a little female dog
- flyershockey

Ok...but isn't your team up 3-0 in the series...and hasn't all of this worked out just perfectly for the Flyers?

What's the point of your comment?

Rubbing it in, I guess.

Or is it possible that some Philly fans are ONLY HAPPY when they have something to complain about?

No, just choosing not to feed the trolls. Find your enjoyment somewhere else.
- Emperor Filonius

Remember when you were trolling the Flyers blog before the start of series?

You should really be the last one complaining.

Ok...but isn't your team up 3-0 in the series...and hasn't all of this worked out just perfectly for the Flyers?

What's the point of your comment?

Rubbing it in, I guess.

Or is it possible that some Philly fans are ONLY HAPPY when they have something to complain about?
- icedog97

Hartnell and others have said this morning that this was their gameplan all along. Given how the reg season played out, it has been a smart one to use.

Remember when you were trolling the Flyers blog before the start of series?

You should really be the last one complaining.
- hereticpride

If having good hockey talk with most of the people on that blog is trolling, then you have me red handed.

Screw the Penguins, and screw Mario Lemieux. He has the nerve to whine and complain after last year's game against the Islanders, but his team is the worst offender. Yesterday, a PLAYOFF GAME, was an embarrassment. Real smart for Crosby to be fighting with his concussion history. That's a leader. It will be nice to see the Flyers mercifully end this joke of a series.
- isles10289

I agree...I was a big fan of the Penguins as they continued to excel and compete through all the injuries they have had over the last 2 years. I appreciated them more when they stood up to Cooke after his thuggery on ice the previous two years. This guy got the message and got his game under control.

But yesterday's game was a shameful disgrace from top to bottom. Crosby is acting like a petulant arrogant gutless jerk and his team mates are following suit. Neal should have been thrown out and should sit for at least 2. Ashem's assault with intent to injure repesents all that is wrong with the Penguins and many of its players should be gone for the rest of series. Which hopefully is the next game. Listening to Bylsma is listening to a coach in full denial and blantant hypocrisy.

No the fig leaf of this is "playoff" hockey does not work!!

His team is playing awful and then decides to throw 5 year old tantrums. Penguins are completely unprofessional and classless from Lemiux on down.

The league from Bettman on down refuses to clean up its sport and allows the barbarians on ice to rule. Shammyhan and his depratment of player safety is anything but. Full of double standards and dart board justice.

I agree...I was a big fan of the Penguins as they continued to excel and compete through all the injuries they have had over the last 2 years. I appreciated them more when they stood up to Cooke after his thuggery on ice the previous two years. This guy got the message and got his game under control.

But yesterday's game was a shameful disgrace from top to bottom. Crosby is acting like a petulant arrogant gutless jerk and his team mates are following suit. Neal should have been thrown out and should sit for at least 2. Ashem's assault with intent to injure repesents all that is wrong with the Penguins and many of its players should be gone for the rest of series. Which hopefully is the next game. Listening to Bylsma is listening to a coach in full denial and blantant hypocrisy.

No the fig leaf of this is "playoff" hockey does not work!!

His team is playing awful and then decides to throw 5 year old tantrums. Penguins are completely unprofessional and classless from Lemiux on down.

The league from Bettman on down refuses to clean up its sport and allows the barbarians on ice to rule. Shammyhan and his depratment of player safety is anything but. Full of double standards and dart board justice.
- bogiedoc

Sooooooo......tell me your thoughts on Duncan Keith.......

1. How many games will the Penguins win against the Flyers in this series?
Hard to imagine them winning a game. MAF's confidence is shot and our D and
fowards cannot hold a lead without the Flyers scoring at will.

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?
I am not buying it's playoff hockey. I thought the team's actions were selfish
and did not help the game at all.

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)?
The core of players we drafted are safe but anyone else is vulnerable. The coaches have done little to impress and do not seem in control of the team.

4. Does anyone on the Pens deserve a raise?
Trick question, right?

5. Are the Flyers this good or are the Penguins that bad?
Both. But the style of play the Pens employ plays into their hans which is not smart. We need to play a more defensive style, IMO.

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 don't think we could beat anyone the way we are playing right now.

7. How has the quarterfinals matchup impacted your feeling toward the Penguins? If you were Mario Lemieux, what would you do?
It's embarassing and depressing that a team this talented is playing so horribly for everyone including devoted fans to see. I hope Mario reads everone the riot act and makes a public apology, especially to us, tha Pittsburgh fans. We deserve better!!!

Do you think the Pens would be down three nil against a different opponent?

No, because the Flyers are the only ones who affect this team, in this way.

Sooooooo......tell me your thoughts on Duncan Keith.......
- ryman1566

I guess I shouldn't be surprised at what about your guy counter??!!

That's right my principled comments have no merrit cuz a Chicago BlackHawk also acted poorly and completely deserved the suspension he recieved. If such a hit had occured in the playoffs....4-5 games would have been the right call also.

Keiths hit was not a hockey play and not in the context of the game at that time. He looked at an opportinity for retribution and took it. In this case the right on ice call and subsequent suspension was correct.

When the NHL wants to start enforcing its rules and dealing with all the behind the play and post whistle BS. And starts throwing guys out regardless of their status or salary or playoff implications. When teams start demand accoutabilty from their own players and not just the other guy. This mayhem on ice just might disappear!

Do you think the Pens would be down three nil against a different opponent?

No, because the Flyers are the only ones who affect this team, in this way.
- ryman1566

All the more shocking that there wasn't a plan to deal with this team correctly.

If we all saw it, how could the team not see it?

Is it arrogance?

How could they not come out in game 3 with the plan to win 1-0?

If that was their plan...and I saw nothing to suggest it was...they were terrible at it.

Sooooooo......tell me your thoughts on Duncan Keith.......
- ryman1566

This really has been a disastrous year for hockey if you look back on all of the concussions, the nonsensical Shanahan explanations for suspensions/non-suspensions, all culminating in the fiasco that we saw yesterday. I'm still a bit stunned by the participation of Crosby, Letang, Giroux, etc, in the nonsense yesterday -- all guys who have had serious concussion issues. The playoffs have been impacted by a guy like Keith taking Sedin out of the Vancouver lineup, here in DC we saw Backstrom sidelined for 40+ games by Bourque, the list goes on and on (injuries happen, but how many "non-hockey play" related incidents have we seen this year -- hell, that moron Shanahan had a perfect opportunity to make a statement by suspending Weber for his antics right at the start of the playoffs and he let him slide).

I got to say something Colin Campbell was a tool but it was never this bad was it?? I mean he suspended guys left and right just he was off the number games a lot of the times. Weber getting fined 2,500 open the door for guys to go ballistic. Hagelin got a 3 game suspension CArkner 1 game and Weber drills a guys head into the glass and gets a fine of $2,500 really??
- kasperrko

It seems like forever ago but Shanahan did suspend everything that moved when he first took the job, the GM's b*tched about it and Shanahan was pretty much forced into a more reserved approach.

This is on the league.

How many games will the Penguins win against the Flyers in this series?
Can I answer with a negative number?

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?
I think a lot of this frustration is 16 months of living through hell, and finally coming back with a shot at the playoffs and it turning to crap. Not excusing him, but with all he's been through, I think that played a lot into it.

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)?
Asham is probably gone... Martin should be, and maybe Michalek. As much as I thought the core was getting older and could lead this team, Shero probably needs to bring in some veteran leadership.

4. Does anyone on the Pens deserve a raise?
Dupuis? Niskanen?

5. Are the Flyers this good or are the Penguins that bad? Both... and horrible matchup issues.

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 Pens would have matched up better against pretty much anyone else, but honestly, how they are playing, I can't see them beating any in a best of 7.

7. How has the quarterfinals matchup impacted your feeling toward the Penguins? If you were Mario Lemieux, what would you do? It's embarrassing... I'm sure Mario is embarrassed as well.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised at what about your guy counter??!!

That's right my principled comments have no merrit cuz a Chicago BlackHawk also acted poorly and completely deserved the suspension he recieved. If such a hit had occured in the playoffs....4-5 games would have been the right call also.

Keiths hit was not a hockey play and not in the context of the game at that time. He looked at an opportinity for retribution and took it. In this case the right on ice call and subsequent suspension was correct.
- bogiedoc

Sorry, we've been dealing with it all day, it's getting old. Playoff trolling!

But Mario's comments were never directed towards an opposing player or oginization, ever. He has called for a clean up for the game, and has also reamed his own out for theirs (Matt Cooke) And he has yet to be taken seriously, and here we are with injuries, cheap shots and and people calling out players and whole teams, league wide. So when someone not involved comes bee bopping in and says what you did. there will be some reaction.

This really has been a disastrous year for hockey if you look back on all of the concussions, the nonsensical Shanahan explanations for suspensions/non-suspensions, all culminating in the fiasco that we saw yesterday. I'm still a bit stunned by the participation of Crosby, Letang, Giroux, etc, in the nonsense yesterday -- all guys who have had serious concussion issues. The playoffs have been impacted by a guy like Keith taking Sedin out of the Vancouver lineup, here in DC we saw Backstrom sidelined for 40+ games by Bourque, the list goes on and on (injuries happen, but how many "non-hockey play" related incidents have we seen this year -- hell, that moron Shanahan had a perfect opportunity to make a statement by suspending Weber for his antics right at the start of the playoffs and he let him slide).
- MadCap2008

This is the one I scratch my head at

I don't know.... remember last year, early in the playoffs, when he let Raffi Torres go with that behind the net headshot and made some stupid reason up that it's legal to kill guys behind the net. All hell broke out that next week or so with players out of control.

Same thing with Webber getting off. Not saying that any of this recent crap wouldn't have happened, but you gotta thing if Shanahan laid down the law on Webber, guys would think twice about it. Look at early in the season when he suspended everyone... things calmed down a bit after that.

We all keep saying that players need to respect each other, and I agree, but one trend that REALLY bothers me is players acting like they are dead after bad or boarderline hits. We saw Mike Smith collapse and get attended to by the team doctor and stay in the game.... Even yesterday with Schenn and Couturier... both guys acted like they were dead, but were back on the ice in less than 3 minutes. Penguins do it too... If the players don't respect the game or each other, I'm all done getting mad about suspensions or non-suspensions.
- rival22

You make some great points. I mean back in the day when the NHL had one ref there never seemed to be an issue like this. I dont know I think the lack of discipline plus the horrendous refs add up to what we are seeing now

You make some great points. I mean back in the day when the NHL had one ref there never seemed to be an issue like this. I dont know I think the lack of discipline plus the horrendous refs add up to what we are seeing now
- kasperrko

There was also no instigator.

All the more shocking that there wasn't a plan to deal with this team correctly.

If we all saw it, how could the team not see it?

Is it arrogance?

How could they not come out in game 3 with the plan to win 1-0?

If that was their plan...and I saw nothing to suggest it was...they were terrible at it.
- icedog97

I could tell 5 mins into period 1 in game 3 the penguins had chose not to change anything, after the first goal they decided to try run with that gameplan again and it backfired again, you could tell what was going to happen and also that it wold take less than a full period before philly would tie it up

Ugly Stuff: I've heard some calling for Mario to issue an apology for the way the team acted yesterday. Maybe he should. But I don't want to hear that kind of talk coming from Philly unless they are willing to apologize for several decades worth of goonism, thuggery, and mayhem in return. This year's version of the Flyers has certainly been more poised and composed than other Philly teams and certainly more so than the Pens. That said, their persona throughout its history has been built around that kind of play, so please spare us the act of being the aggrieved party. Just to be clear, the Pens cheap shot display yesterday was embarrassing to watch and is indefensible, but they have a long way to go to measure up the the Flyers in that department from a historical perspective.

- Emperor Filonius

Keep living in the past regarding the Flyers while excusing all the cheapshots, sucker punches, back of the head shots and intents to injure from the Pens.

Further, let's stop acting as if the Pens were choir boys prior to yesterday - that dog don't hunt.

Stop deflecting and own up to being a fan of one of the dirtiest, actress-riddled hockey teams in the NHL.

A disgrace to all penguin fans MAF is a joke This guy faces the least amount of shots in the entire league and stinks it up If he played for a bad team, his GAA would be horrible This teams has won in spite of him not because of him Dan B must go That was a joke yesterday and the 3 games combined were just plain awful Mario better open up his eyes

It seems like forever ago but Shanahan did suspend everything that moved when he first took the job, the GM's b*tched about it and Shanahan was pretty much forced into a more reserved approach.

This is on the league.
- Gunner Staal

That's why I am done complaining about suspensions or lack of... between the teams not wanting to do anything about dirty plays, the NHLPA doesn't want to do anything, players obviously don't care about respecting each other...

Why should we get all pissy about it when no one directly involved with the League seems to care?

A disgrace to all penguin fans MAF is a joke This guy faces the least amount of shots in the entire league and stinks it up If he played for a bad team, his GAA would be horrible This teams has won in spite of him not because of him Dan B must go That was a joke yesterday and the 3 games combined were just plain awful Mario better open up his eyes
- holeinone

And see the other 5 years this team has given us as a sample size? This series is an anomally, not the norm.

There was also no instigator.
- Gunner Staal

Not even sure if that's the solution... take the the instigator, is what Carkner did ok?