I would like to see the nhl take a hard stance against all the cheap shots and attempted cheap shots regardless of the name on the jersey and the contract/star power of the player. I may not like the pens but I don't like seeing players injured. Shot attempt or not, it was a reckless play by Ovi that should have been a penalty, but it's the over the top reactions from some here that make me shake my head. I want to see the teams we're playing healthy, I have no interest in watching 3-4 AHL players filling in for injuries caused by reckless hits or slashes. I just think wanting players to go hurt someone with what would be punishable by jail time outside of hockey is a terrible reaction.

Man, I miss th days when we would just banter back and forth with fans of our actual rival, the Flyers. Now we have an influx of annoying (frank)ing Islander fans who have had one good season in like, 20 years, and they come out from everywhere like arrogant mice.

I look forward to seeing that team and their fans eventually lose their team or at least go back to their consistent insignificance that we've all become accustomed too.

How much longer should Tochett be given to turn the PP around ?

How about the guy they replaced Rinaldo with during the suspension? White?
- stowerkraut

Are you saying that Ryan White is a "goon"? Really???

And most fans are well aware of the Pens prior to 2005. To make that assumption gathered from blog posts isn't fair.
- stowerkraut

As the poster clarified, it had zero to do with this blog or this site at all.

That's kind of the point.
- Cptmjl

Not going to argue. Just saying Downie didn't initiate it.....and the Cap took an embarrassing dive.

Man, I miss th days when we would just banter back and forth with fans of our actual rival, the Flyers. Now we have an influx of annoying (frank)ing Islander fans who have had one good season in like, 20 years, and they come out from everywhere like arrogant mice.

I look forward to seeing that team and their fans eventually lose their team or at least go back to their consistent insignificance that we've all become accustomed too.
- csotirake

Acting like an entitled two year old is sure to provoke meaningful discussion. Maybe you've forgotten the pens before Crosby or even before lemieux.

He did it in the scrum. Downie retaliated which will get a guy named Downie sent to the box 100 out of 100 times. Hillen reacted by playing dead.
- madmike71

Then I'd expect Hillen to do it 100 out of times if Downie's stupid enough to retaliate. Always call the retaliation, never the original offender. It's been that way for 30 years for every team/player.

Acting like an entitled two year old is sure to provoke meaningful discussion. Maybe you've forgotten the pens before Crosby or even before lemieux.
- Isles_since_6

Are you implying that the Penguins of the 60s/70s/80s/early 2000s were not Cup contending powerhouses? Because that's just silly.

It would be different if the Penguins had ever employed a player like George Laraque, Eric Goddard, Steve MacIntyre, Aaron Asham, Matthew Barnaby, Jarkko Ruutu, Andre Roy, Lyle Odelein, Steve McKenna, Jay Caufield, Ulf Samuelsson, or Troy Loney, but that's just not the case.
- jmatchett383

I could do the same for Philly but am far too lazy...

Agree to disagree. We've had this convo several times. Your opinion doesn't change and mine still stays the same... in that Flyers fans are like post WWII Germans... nothing to see here from 1933 to 1945. NOTHING BAD HAPPENED!!!

Are you implying that the Penguins of the 60s/70s/80s/early 2000s were not Cup contending powerhouses? Because that's just silly.
- jmatchett383

I think it's ridiculous to assume fan bases of bad teams just disappear. The loyal fans are still around, even during the darkest years.

Acting like an entitled two year old is sure to provoke meaningful discussion. Maybe you've forgotten the pens before Crosby or even before lemieux.
- Isles_since_6

So... only teams that have been cup contenders for their entire existence are worth cheering for?

Man, I miss th days when we would just banter back and forth with fans of our actual rival, the Flyers. Now we have an influx of annoying (frank)ing Islander fans who have had one good season in like, 20 years, and they come out from everywhere like arrogant mice.

I look forward to seeing that team and their fans eventually lose their team or at least go back to their consistent insignificance that we've all become accustomed too.
- csotirake

Lose their team? That's a good one stay up with current events

How much longer should Tochett be given to turn the PP around ?
- willi

Honestly, I don't know how you can blame Tochett. I guarantee you he's telling them to shoot. Crosby looks like he's having decision making and confidence issues IMO.

Honestly, I don't know how you can blame Tochett. I guarantee you he's telling them to shoot. Crosby looks like he's having decision making and confidence issues IMO.
- madmike71

I think his wrist isn't 100% and they (frank)ed up not doing a surgery in the off season.

Not going to argue. Just saying Downie didn't initiate it.....and the Cap took an embarrassing dive.
- madmike71

Downies on a hair trigger all game, every game. It's been shown if you push him a little at a critical moment he's very likely to do something stupid that hurts his team. That's an advantage teams will continue to try and exploit.

So... only teams that have been cup contenders for their entire existence are worth cheering for?
- Guile

That's kind of his argument, not mine.

Downies on a hair trigger all game, every game. It's been shown if you push him a little at a critical moment he's very likely to do something stupid that hurts his team. That's an advantage teams will continue to try and exploit.
- Isles_since_6

We did every game we played them this season.

Then I'd expect Hillen to do it 100 out of times if Downie's stupid enough to retaliate. Always call the retaliation, never the original offender. It's been that way for 30 years for every team/player.
- jmatchett383

Again... Not going to argue. I was just stating a fact that both guys threw punches. One of the reasons I wasn't thrilled with Downie coming here was because he absolutely will never be given the benefit of the doubt. I could see a very similar thing happening in a critical playoff game.

I think his wrist isn't 100% and they (frank)ed up not doing a surgery in the off season.
- Guile

He definitely doesn't look right this year. I don't like him, but he's usually 20 points ahead of everyone else in the art ross race.

I agree. Sid needs to drop the gloves with Ovi and get it over with
- CryanWilson

Sorry but Ovi is duping... and always have....

How do you retaliate when OV won't back up what he did? The previous game against the Ducks he mad a questionable hit on Getzlaf and when Getzlaf wanted a piece of him he skated off then fell down when Getzlaf touched him. There's a reson he was called out by Getzlaf.
- willi

Well therein lies the rub.

Pens fans cant complain about this. After all, we loved it when Ulf and Kasper were doing this to Neely and Lindros back in the day.

It'd be kinda awesome if 87 ran Ovie.

Again... Not going to argue. I was just stating a fact that both guys threw punches. One of the reasons I wasn't thrilled with Downie coming here was because he absolutely will never be given the benefit of the doubt. I could see a very similar thing happening in a critical playoff game.
- madmike71

It will 100%.

Well therein lies the rub.

Pens fans cant complain about this. After all, we loved it when Ulf and Kasper were doing this to Neely and Lindros back in the day.
- 87_71_11_29

I liked when Kasper was doing it to Lemeiux

He definitely doesn't look right this year. I don't like him, but he's usually 20 points ahead of everyone else in the art ross race.
- Isles_since_6

He was good early on... then once everyone got injurred and more pressure placed on him, I think that strain instantly put the wrist back where it was. He seems afraid to fire it in from a near standing or low speed position. He is only really taking shots when right up close or when flying into the zone, both almost always is less wrist strain.