See I just think a team with cooler heads gets away from that.

Having John Scott on the roster doesn't stop that poop from happening, he isnt on the ice when it occurs.

Plus the player they got to help reduce that, well he ended up in the box.

Its like this team isnt sure what it is meant to be.

Reminds me a little of the Caps the last 2 years...
- walshy66

I say next game against the Caps we go & slash & hook as much as possible before getting called. How many went unsanctioned today from the Caps - never heard the game due to work. It just seems like they turned up the crap meter a little in the 3rd to unsettle the Pens & it worked because the zebs didn't call the Ovi slash.

See my post above - Trott did it last game also. It appears we are reactionary & cannot be disciplined enough to win through crap. If they go out with a crap minded game first who knows - it will certainly surprise the Caps wankers!

well we had a chance to tie it.

But if you dont shoot you cant win....
- walshy66

In a 1-2 game on the PP why pull the goalie? That to me is insane, you have the numerical advantage & only 1 goal down, why pull the goalie & risk a goal which is exactly what happened - game over. Makes no sense to a non hockey fan.

yep, total make up call....

one of the frustrating things about the NHL, the 'game management' nature.

But being given it, the team still didnt score.
- walshy66

That comment solidifies my stance that the NHL has no integrity. If the officials are tampering with the games by selection & non selection of the rules & their application then there is a huge problem. I have heard that too many times from too many different games (non Pens), for it not to be true. It's criminal.

I don't know who is supposed to lower themselves to what standard. Pittsburgh has a bunch of rats on the roster and the nhl's pim leader. Malkin is tied for 14th in the league with 23 minor penalties. The team clearly has a discipline problem which has been a major way to exploit and undermine the Penguins since, say, 2010. I'm not on board with how the nhl isn't classy enough for the Penguins when the wings and lightnings of the world do just fine.
- Johnny Wrath

Different teams play each other differently. The Metro teams know that agitating the Pens usually gets you over the line so they do that. Not sure why you reference the Bolts as they have only surfaced again this year as a threat & give it time Stamkos will feel some pain when that time comes. We are reactionary which means we don't go out & deliberately put shyte in the game due to the skill level & fear of reprisal against Sid. I only suggest next game against the Caps, slash Ovi of cross check him after the puck has gone, start (frank)ing with him before he does the same, get him off his game make him do something stupid.

If you go & quote PIM be objective & show how many of those took a player of the opposing team off the ice as well. As I said most of those would be reactionary after teams have started the crap shoot to put the Pens off their game in my humble opinion. Also, once the switch is activated Downie just goes bananas & gets the game, if he can stay out of the crap (remember his quote from pre season), he is very capable & deserves his spot on this team.

Wow, it is one thing to say the players lost their cool and the game got away from them. Clearly, they let Ovechkin and the refs to own their heads. But, they also seem to taken space in the heads of some fans. The enforcer talk is crazy. John Scott is not going to make the Pens a better team.

This is essentially a cap problem. After Christmas, the games get a lot tougher. We are now going into the stretch run and playoffs. You cannot win big without playing 4 competitive lines.

As a pretty objective reader, it appears to me that lots of Pens fans get it. But, this idea that the refs and Ovie did the Pens in is just silly.

That comment solidifies my stance that the NHL has no integrity. If the officials are tampering with the games by selection & non selection of the rules & their application then there is a huge problem. I have heard that too many times from too many different games (non Pens), for it not to be true. It's criminal.
- Aussiepenguin

google "garage league nhl" for the history

All teams slump....we are just in the middle of a really long really bad slump...good news is we have a few good wins sprinkled in here and there. The key is to get hot at the right time.

The ovechkin goal is the one that really pissed me off. Hey its #8, anyone wanna pick him up? Nah just let him come right down the middle and score.


Let's not kid our selves, this is obviously just fine tuning right meow. Once we figure out every way there is to lose games, we will stop losing.

Wow, it is one thing to say the players lost their cool and the game got away from them. Clearly, they let Ovechkin and the refs to own their heads. But, they also seem to taken space in the heads of some fans. The enforcer talk is crazy. John Scott is not going to make the Pens a better team.

This is essentially a cap problem. After Christmas, the games get a lot tougher. We are now going into the stretch run and playoffs. You cannot win big without playing 4 competitive lines.

As a pretty objective reader, it appears to me that lots of Pens fans get it. But, this idea that the refs and Ovie did the Pens in is just silly.
- spatso

The old saying, did the refs give away the penalties, was it their fault goals were scored, did Ovi win the game on his own or did he play as part of a team? Did they miss the shots etc etc? Well some yes some no. Just appears Ovi was the catalyst for the penalties but the Pens certainly lost their structure through pure hate it seems. Hopefully the lesson has been learnt - again.

In no way do I support an enforcer on the team, but do support gamesmanship being utilised on occasion - as has been the case for the Caps in the last 2 games where it was close so they punch on. Results = 2 wins in last 2 games where violence was present. Don't think the 1st was due to Pens just being outplayed.

The NHL should be ashamed. The refs again blew another one. Letang could have been seriously injured, broken ankle, broken neck etc. You must be responsible for your actions or face the consequences. Just because Letang returned is irrelevant. He got lucky but I shoot a bullet at you and miss, we still have a problem. When are the officials going to get it right Really sucks to watch a good game destroyed by piss poor officiating Garage League

Thought the compete level was there and the response was good to the ovi slash. Then they took it to far. Pens have Napoleon syndrome and have for years. 1 too many is the story of this game and this franchise in recent years. Turnovers are killing us.

I'm not the least bit concerned about this Pens team at even strength when healthy. They have talent and can skate with anyone in the NHL save maybe the Isles. As Ryan indicated in his article, the issue is with special teams. Maybe some of it is personnel, but coaching has to be under the microscope. When your biggest PP threat gets less than a minute per power play, you're out coaching yourself.

It's times like these I wish we had a writer who at least could write a Pens-slanted article and not one who is so afraid to be called a homer.

I really find it hilarious how Ovie gets a pass from you Ryan while Kunitz delivers a n unnecessary hit on Ward......

Ovie gets beat to the spot by Letang, shielded from the puck, so he takes a baseball cut at him just above the skate boot when the puck is heading to the end boards.... just Ovie being Ovie.... Kunitz hits a guy in the chest a second after moving the puck and he's the guilty one in this article.

Terrible......

Man, it's doom and gloom in here. I hope they are monitoring the bridges in Pittsburgh today. I, for one, thought they've played some good hockey over the last 2 games, and lost because of the shootout and a bad penalty, both of which you won't see in the playoffs. Over the last few years, the Pens have coasted through the regular season, and come playoff time, they weren't prepared. A little strife might be huge for this team to get themselves ready for the rigors of playoff hockey.

I feel like this was the best game we played against Washington so far. That's disappointing because of the loss. I do think they got away from the game a bit and were expecting calls that didn't come. Maybe got a bit over aggressive at times and then paid for it.

Still, if they focus on the game and beating them on the board versus in PIMs I like the chances better. However, the divisional record is still rough.

F Ovechkeninan, however his goofy ass name is spelled

F Ovechkeninan, however his goofy ass name is spelled
- Guile

Saw this at the winter classic game, still think it's funny...

The power play also continues to ignore the fact that shot volume is the most important factor in power play success.
- Ryan_Wilson

Easy solution: Shoot the puck as soon as you get control, no matter where you are on the ice.

Win the faceoff: Shoot in.
Loose puck in the neutral zone: Shoot it.
Get the puck behind your net after a PK clear: Shoot it.

Win.

What a (frank)ing joke of a game last year. The refs in the NHL are the worst in any major sport. I usually don't female dog about the refs but let's be honest, they've (frank)ed us all season. How that wasn't a call on Ovechkin boggles the mind. I really don't get it. Ovechkin is a coward. He won't man up for his cheap plays and never has once in his career. I guaren(frank)ingtee that if the situation was reversed and it was Sid slashing Carlson, 5 minute major. 4 refs on the ice and not one is looking at the play. Unreal.

What a (frank)ing joke of a game last year. The refs in the NHL are the worst in any major sport. I usually don't female dog about the refs but let's be honest, they've (frank)ed us all season. How that wasn't a call on Ovechkin boggles the mind. I really don't get it. Ovechkin is a coward. He won't man up for his cheap plays and never has once in his career. I guaren(frank)ingtee that if the situation was reversed and it was Sid slashing Carlson, 5 minute major. 4 refs on the ice and not one is looking at the play. Unreal.
- znagle

I didn't see the game, but...didn't Ovechkin get into a fight in his first NHL preseason game?

Also, there are not 4 refs on the ice.

What a (frank)ing joke of a game last year. The refs in the NHL are the worst in any major sport. I usually don't female dog about the refs but let's be honest, they've (frank)ed us all season. How that wasn't a call on Ovechkin boggles the mind. I really don't get it. Ovechkin is a coward. He won't man up for his cheap plays and never has once in his career. I guaren(frank)ingtee that if the situation was reversed and it was Sid slashing Carlson, 5 minute major. 4 refs on the ice and not one is looking at the play. Unreal.
- znagle

Horrible non call by the refs. It happens we had multiple the other night. Even worse retaliatory penalties by Downie and even dumber one by Letang.

Horrible non call by the refs. It happens we had multiple the other night. Even worse retaliatory penalties by Downie and even dumber one by Letang.
- Cptmjl

Well come on... we are known for stupid retaliations when not getting a call or two ~_~

It's times like these I wish we had a writer who at least could write a Pens-slanted article and not one who is so afraid to be called a homer.

I really find it hilarious how Ovie gets a pass from you Ryan while Kunitz delivers a n unnecessary hit on Ward......

Ovie gets beat to the spot by Letang, shielded from the puck, so he takes a baseball cut at him just above the skate boot when the puck is heading to the end boards.... just Ovie being Ovie.... Kunitz hits a guy in the chest a second after moving the puck and he's the guilty one in this article.

Terrible......
- Yonk1216

I've learned to skip the articles, that is bad though if said blogger is siding with OV and Ward. OV should have an in person hearing for that Ruthian swing. Also should have had his ass kicked by...someone that could.

On a sidenote to the non call, the Pens losing their composure and then going on a 5-3 PK in the last 5 minutes.....how awful is Errey?!

And i quote, "If I'm a Penguin right now you gotta fall. If you get touched you gotta go down, you have to dive!" Ummm...lets see here Bob A. you are on a 5-3 PK, you have a player go down and no call is made you are on a 5-2 PK essentially. B. I am pretty sure the league is fining players for diving and you my friend have just publically called for a Penguin player to intentially take a dive to try and get a call because Kunitz boarded Ward and Letang two handed and snapped a stick....WTH?!!?

I didn't see the game, but...didn't Ovechkin get into a fight in his first NHL preseason game?

Also, there are not 4 refs on the ice.
- jmatchett383

2 refs, 2 linesman same thing.

And I think so, but that was what 10 years ago? I looked up his career fights and he has 3. Two in 06 and one in 2010 after Ovi took a run at a Blue Jackets player.

Point is, guy's a wussy

Ryan Wilson: Penguins Let Ovechkin Slash On Letang Consume Them
Penguins Let Ovechkin Slash On Letang Consume Them
- Ryan_Wilson

From different angles it looked like he was going for the puck. I dont think it was a slash.