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

I agree, but when this has been happening all season and our best defenseman gets hurt, the pot might finally boil over.

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
- znagle

Ovi fought Dubinsky a couple years ago.

Ovi fought Dubinsky a couple years ago.
- rangerdanger94

Yes that's the one I was talking about. Ovi got tuned.

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

He was going for the puck no question, but that doesnt excuse it from being a slash. Bottom line it was a missed call. It wasnt a melicious attack on Letang like Graves on Lemieux by any means but as a player you are responsible for your stick. Letang had no intetnion of breaking that stick in the third but he did and paid the penalty. Ovechkin should have done the same.

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
- znagle

The linsemen cannot call penalties, they can only help a referee as an advisor.

Yes that's the one I was talking about. Ovi got tuned.
- znagle

So he fought Dubinsky and Mike Richards. Not exactly Jon Scott and Matt Carkner, but it's not exactly Keith Ballard and Matt Niksanen, either.

So he fought Dubinsky and Mike Richards. Not exactly Jon Scott and Matt Carkner, but it's not exactly Keith Ballard and Matt Niksanen, either.
- jmatchett383

He's also in the heavyweight category and sid would be a middleweight

The linsemen cannot call penalties, they can only help a referee as an advisor.
- jmatchett383

Referees also aren't allowed to break up fights or scrums, only linesmen are. Pretty interesting.

He's also in the heavyweight category and sid would be a middleweight
- dbell646

The arguing over who is tougher because of fighting is beyond ridiculous. Ovechkin and Crosby are two of the best players in the world period. They are both ridiculously strong and play their own style of game. Crosby takes a ton of crap and usualy plays right through it. Ovechkin gives a ton of crap but lets be honest noone is gauging their effectiveness on how many fights they have been in. They are offensive stars and thats what they get paid to do and thats what they SHOULD get judged on.

The arguing over who is tougher because of fighting is beyond ridiculous. Ovechkin and Crosby are two of the best players in the world period. They are both ridiculously strong and play their own style of game. Crosby takes a ton of crap and usualy plays right through it. Ovechkin gives a ton of crap but lets be honest noone is gauging their effectiveness on how many fights they have been in. They are offensive stars and thats what they get paid to do and thats what they SHOULD get judged on.
- did109

Feel better now?

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.
- Stillson14

It's just not on special teams. Our problems are elsewhere too.

The arguing over who is tougher because of fighting is beyond ridiculous. Ovechkin and Crosby are two of the best players in the world period. They are both ridiculously strong and play their own style of game. Crosby takes a ton of crap and usualy plays right through it. Ovechkin gives a ton of crap but lets be honest noone is gauging their effectiveness on how many fights they have been in. They are offensive stars and thats what they get paid to do and thats what they SHOULD get judged on.
- did109

So judging them on offense, ovechkin scored his NHL leading 37th goal and assisted on the game winner while Crosby was held scoreless. Ya love to see that

Feel better now?
- dbell646

Actually i feel no different, i just find it humorous how a Penguins fan's hatred for ovechkin or a flyers fan's hatred for Crosby for that matter can cloud their ability to either recognize or admit that each one is a world class player. Ovehckin went for the puck and hit Letang. End of story. It was a missed call, it wasnt an all out assault on Letang, it wasnt a blind sided attack.

So judging them on offense, ovechkin scored his NHL leading 37th goal and assisted on the game winner while Crosby was held scoreless. Ya love to see that
- rangerdanger94

More importantly they beat us again

Actually i feel no different, i just find it humorous how a Penguins fan's hatred for ovechkin or a flyers fan's hatred for Crosby for that matter can cloud their ability to either recognize or admit that each one is a world class player. Ovehckin went for the puck and hit Letang. End of story. It was a missed call, it wasnt an all out assault on Letang, it wasnt a blind sided attack.
- did109

You're off topic. I haven't commented on my feelings about that play. I simply pointed out that if your going to discuss who the guys fought I think it's only fair to consider the size difference. I will agree it's meaningless who they fought.

So judging them on offense, ovechkin scored his NHL leading 37th goal and assisted on the game winner while Crosby was held scoreless. Ya love to see that
- rangerdanger94

87 cant be healthy. I think its foolish to beleive one or the other is a better player, although under Trotz ovechkin has become a much better all around player. For the record i am not a fan of either but i can appreciate what they both bring to the game. I would give anything to have either one of them play for my team.

More importantly they beat us again
- dbell646

You guys have had trouble beating them, the isles, or the rags this year.

Honestly, I'm too tired to dig through all of the options but I'll just say

I focus my savings on a better 3c and one vet D. I'd love to get Boychuk.
- madmike71

Soderberg and Vermette are the only two centers that are due to be free agents that are good and aren't 50 years old. Both will make more than Sutter.

There are three defensemen that would interest me. Boychuk, Franson and maybe Petry. I think the first two get either Martin money now ($5 million) or somewhere near. Petry could get Ehrhoff money.

I fully expect Zuccarrello to resign with the Rags. I would have interest in three wingers ... Beleskey, Justin Williams and Frolik.

I don't want any part of players north of 35 as free agents. There are very few names that interest me and that are realistic. If I had to render a guess, some of these guys resign with their respective teams. Boychuk to the Isles; Franson in Nashville makes too much sense.

You guys have had trouble beating them, the isles, or the rags this year.
- rangerdanger94

Yup and those teams are exactly who we will face in the playoffs. That's what's so concerning about this loss even in february

I could tell OV was really concerned over Letangs "livelihood".

Dumb post of the year award. Bravo!
- madmike71

anyone rooting for someone to get injured is a complete and utter tool. Grow up.

Actually i feel no different, i just find it humorous how a Penguins fan's hatred for ovechkin or a flyers fan's hatred for Crosby for that matter can cloud their ability to either recognize or admit that each one is a world class player. Ovehckin went for the puck and hit Letang. End of story. It was a missed call, it wasnt an all out assault on Letang, it wasnt a blind sided attack.
- did109

I understand they are world class generational players and I respect Ovi for his skill all around. The thing that pisses me off is the fact that after all of his dirty hits/plays, he won't answer the bell, but then he floats in his zone and waits for the perfect moment to run Kunitz into the boards. No call. Kunitz runs Ward, same play, but a call.

He always has an excuse too, the puck was in Letangs feet and Ovi had NO chance at getting a shot off. I don't see many players in the NHL shooting it by swinging there stick downwards from over their own head. He said that to protect himself and give him an excuse as why it wasn't a penalty that could have further ended our season right there. He will not hear a peep from the NHL about that.

You guys have had trouble beating them, the isles, or the rags this year.
- rangerdanger94

Yup. Even the Flyers too. NJ kind of as well. We have to hope to hit the playoffs hot and healthy.

You're off topic. I haven't commented on my feelings about that play. I simply pointed out that if your going to discuss who the guys fought I think it's only fair to consider the size difference. I will agree it's meaningless who they fought.
- dbell646

Fair assessment.

I understand they are world class generational players and I respect Ovi for his skill all around. The thing that pisses me off is the fact that after all of his dirty hits/plays, he won't answer the bell, but then he floats in his zone and waits for the perfect moment to run Kunitz into the boards. No call. Kunitz runs Ward, same play, but a call.

He always has an excuse too, the puck was in Letangs feet and Ovi had NO chance at getting a shot off. I don't see many players in the NHL shooting it by swinging there stick downwards from over their own head. He said that to protect himself and give him an excuse as why it wasn't a penalty that could have further ended our season right there. He will not hear a peep from the NHL about that.
- znagle

Bottom line, if Ovi ever got hurt and was out three months, I wouldn't shed a tear. He might be a talent, but he is an absolute douche that is wreckless and doesn't take accountability. It's excuse after excuse for him. I have zero respect for him. I really want someone to club him hard so he can see how it feels on the other side.

I understand they are world class generational players and I respect Ovi for his skill all around. The thing that pisses me off is the fact that after all of his dirty hits/plays, he won't answer the bell, but then he floats in his zone and waits for the perfect moment to run Kunitz into the boards. No call. Kunitz runs Ward, same play, but a call.

He always has an excuse too, the puck was in Letangs feet and Ovi had NO chance at getting a shot off. I don't see many players in the NHL shooting it by swinging there stick downwards from over their own head. He said that to protect himself and give him an excuse as why it wasn't a penalty that could have further ended our season right there. He will not hear a peep from the NHL about that.
- znagle

I fully agree. When you play a style like OV does there will be times when you step over the line. And when that happens you or a teammate will have to answer for it. But OV smiles like it was a big joke when Kuni challenged him and the next shift the Caps 3rd line wouldn't engage either