I love the Pittsburgh Penguins. and juicy juice. mmmmnnnnnnn

At least the rags fans can stop with the "NHL wants the Pens to win" BS...thats back to back games with more PP...and last nights game, there is no way in hell, they should have only got 1 penalty called against them. If I am Disco Dan, I make I bring this up with the media today. I would also bring up the cheap hits Staal is making on Crosby. I understand its his job to do, but you can't be hitting guys in the side of the head with your stick and not get called. He has done it more than one time and gotten away with it.

I have been on the edge with MAF, but he has been really well the past two games...have to give him credit. The biggest thing, no bonehead plays on his part. Thats all the Pens need from him and I think they have a legit shot at the cup.

I have made no secret of my dislike of HCDB...but these playoffs he has been much better than I thought. The sitting of Glass, I thought would never happen. If he would just get Crosby on the ice at the end of the game, instead of Adams...I would be much happier. I wouldn't mind seeing Scuds get scratched, him and Bortz together scare me every time they are on the ice. I cringe when he gets the puck behind the net. There were a few times when he couldnt clear the zone and the Rags got at least 2-3 shots they shouldn't have gotten before of it. I think he needs to sit, but this is one of those cases where he wont though. All in all, great effort from the team the last two nights, I hope they continue to play this kind of hockey.

Got a question that I would hope some on the stat junkies here might know or be able to find.
Had a text from a friend after the game saying that Fleury was the 3rd goalie in NHL history to post back to back playoffs shutouts in games that were on consecutive days.

Any where at all to find or confirm that? I am quite curious if this was pulled out of thin air or not.

OK, second morning in a row and I realize I'm not dreaming, MAF did have two shut outs in a row. Basking in my happy, happy, joy, joy and coffee.

Got a question that I would hope some on the stat junkies here might know or be able to find.
Had a text from a friend after the game saying that Fleury was the 3rd goalie in NHL history to post back to back playoffs shutouts in games that were on consecutive days.

Any where at all to find or confirm that? I am quite curious if this was pulled out of thin air or not.
- Guile

I saw first time since 1937? Is that possible?

I understand y'alls points, and tonight it worked, but it won't long term. Playing tht style in the third doesn't win the Cup.
- Topshelf Mountain

They trapped in the 3rd with the counter-attack when given the opportunity to get an odd-man rush or an easy zone entry.

But if you don't think that will work long term or it won't win a Cup, go ask New Jersey about that. They won what? 2 or 3 Cups? Pretty sure it was 3... doing that exact same thing but with lesser talent.

They had the lead and trapped very successfully. Again, a little more aggression on the counter-attack would have been nice just to put the fear into the Rags that we might get another one, but we didn't need to because we had a 2-goal lead. There was still the skating and work-level going on that was missing in the CBJ series.

I saw first time since 1937? Is that possible?
- powerhouse

I bet Elias Sports Bureau has that info. That's likely where it was pulled from as well. They have virtually all of those sports trivia things sitting there.

Game thoughts...

- One of the least intense playoff games I've ever witnessed.

- I don't think Pens played particularly well. Did "Okay". Perhaps they were feeling the B2B situation as well. But, good teams still win when they aren't at their best so I look at that as a positive. Especially on the road.

- Its nice to finally see the player roles being defined and manifest themselves. With all of the injuries during the year, we never really had a chance.

- We need to do a much better job of pouncing on loose pucks on our PK and forcibly getting them out of the zone. Way too many chances to clear were blown allowing the Rags to continue their PP time in our zone. That continues, they will score.

- I don't feel particularly bad about the posts the Rags hit. I seem to recall quite a few posts hit in the Boston series last year that could have changed that series. Puck Luck...

- When Jokinen got that puck out of the box and I saw him on the breakaway, my first thought was "he's going to pull his shootout move". Sure enough, goal.

I saw first time since 1937? Is that possible?
- powerhouse

Back to back playoffs games are a very rare occurrence now, I think I heard an announcer say during the game that this was the first time since 85 for a post-first round. Really would only ever occur in the 2nd round if a scheduling conflict at the arenas occured after a game 7, like in this series, or a game 6 and 7 of the first round.

Now "back in the day" the first round would normally have at least 1 back to back game, if not 2 in the first 4 games in the first round. But that was with the bigger net... thus leaning me to think this might be not made up.

Back to back playoffs games are a very rare occurrence now, I think I heard an announcer say during the game that this was the first time since 85. Really would only ever occur in the 2nd round if a scheduling conflict at the arenas occured after a game 7, like in this series.

Now "back in the day" the first round would normally have at least 1 back to back game, if not 2 in the first 4 games in the first round. But that was with the bigger net... thus leaning me to think this might be not made up.
- Guile

In the late 80's, first rounds, teams would sometimes play games 1 and 2 on B2B, travel, then do B2B games for 3 and 4.

I believe Mario's first playoff series vs the Rags in 89 was like this. I think 1 and 2 were in the Civic Arena on Wed/Thu then 3 and 4 were in MSG on Sat and Sun.

In the late 80's, first rounds, teams would sometimes play games 1 and 2 on B2B, travel, then do B2B games for 3 and 4.

I believe Mario's first playoff series vs the Rags in 89 was like this. I think 1 and 2 were in the Civic Arena on Wed/Thu then 3 and 4 were in MSG on Sat and Sun.
- 87_71_11_29

Yeah, I butchered it a bit overthinking on the topic, ya beat my editing cleanup.

At least the rags fans can stop with the "NHL wants the Pens to win" BS...thats back to back games with more PP...and last nights game, there is no way in hell, they should have only got 1 penalty called against them. If I am Disco Dan, I make I bring this up with the media today. I would also bring up the cheap hits Staal is making on Crosby. I understand its his job to do, but you can't be hitting guys in the side of the head with your stick and not get called. He has done it more than one time and gotten away with it.

I have been on the edge with MAF, but he has been really well the past two games...have to give him credit. The biggest thing, no bonehead plays on his part. Thats all the Pens need from him and I think they have a legit shot at the cup.

I have made no secret of my dislike of HCDB...but these playoffs he has been much better than I thought. The sitting of Glass, I thought would never happen. If he would just get Crosby on the ice at the end of the game, instead of Adams...I would be much happier. I wouldn't mind seeing Scuds get scratched, him and Bortz together scare me every time they are on the ice. I cringe when he gets the puck behind the net. There were a few times when he couldnt clear the zone and the Rags got at least 2-3 shots they shouldn't have gotten before of it. I think he needs to sit, but this is one of those cases where he wont though. All in all, great effort from the team the last two nights, I hope they continue to play this kind of hockey.
- Thorny

Reasons the rags are down 2 1 according to rags fans:
1) the NHL wants the pens to win (even though they had 5 pps yesterday and the pens had one, Crosby cross checked in the head by staal no call)
2) the schedule ( even though it's their fault for not beating phily in 6 and scheduling billy Joel tonight)
3) MAF has not imploded
4) "we re the better team... Unlucky with crossbars and posts" ... ( not mentioning that the pens hit 2)

Real reasons:
1) pittsburgh is a better team( pens had the division locked up at x mass, ton of injuries... When rags fans did you convince yourself that your team is better??? When Malkin, goc, letang and Martin were hurt !!!! )
2) rags pp is terrible
3) MAF is inconsistent at times... NOT Bad!
4) rangers are inconsistent ... They dominated game 3 and lost... AFTER getting dominated in game 2 and losing

Series is 2 1 ... Give credit were its due and move on ... Series is not over!!! Reading the whinning and excuses on the rags blog makes the whinning on this one look modest even at its worst!

Good article on the Staal hatchet job to Sid's dome.

http://triblive.com/sport...61679-74/crosby-staal-nhl

Sid quote: "He got me good."

It's just frustrating to know how good this game could be if the star players didn't have to go through this gauntlet of crap every playoff series. Even the Flyer fans were complaining on how Giroux was being sharted on during their series with the Rags. And they were right.

I don't know if Maatta will be able to survive a series with the Bruins, he's starting to look like a 19 year old. I love him but if you ask me he was just as bad as Scuderi last night, Scuderi is just the easy target to scrutinize.

Since Fleury's gaff in game 4 led to the Jackets winning in overtime, he is 4-1 with a 1.39 GAA and a .948 save %. Hopefully this is the Fleury we see the rest of the playoffs.

Interesting that both Sid and Bylsma both brought up how it wasn't their plan to play so passively and prevent defense and wanted to push the pace more.

Seems like guys were just over cautious and reverted back to a lifetime of being told to "get it deep" and went with the safe play more often than not.

Back to back playoffs games are a very rare occurrence now, I think I heard an announcer say during the game that this was the first time since 85 for a post-first round. Really would only ever occur in the 2nd round if a scheduling conflict at the arenas occured after a game 7, like in this series, or a game 6 and 7 of the first round.

Now "back in the day" the first round would normally have at least 1 back to back game, if not 2 in the first 4 games in the first round. But that was with the bigger net... thus leaning me to think this might be not made up.
- Guile

08 Cup Finals Game 1 Saturday-- Game 2 Sunday
09 Cup Finals Game 1 Saturday-- Game 2 Sunday

08 Cup Finals Game 1 Saturday-- Game 2 Sunday
09 Cup Finals Game 1 Saturday-- Game 2 Sunday
- Tiogadog

Haha, take that up with the announcers then, they spewed out that "not since 85 post first round" stat.

Just reading some of the Pittsburgh media and Pens fans talk about the whole Staal thing makes me realize why people hate this franchise, and its fans so much. Sid is fine, I don't think Staal actually meant to crosscheck him in the head, it was a 2 minute blown penalty call. I mean James Neal straight up rammed his stick into Fast's mouth last night, he didn't mean to do it, reffs made the right call. Stop whining so much pens fans.

Just reading some of the Pittsburgh media and Pens fans talk about the whole Staal thing makes me realize why people hate this franchise, and its fans so much. Sid is fine, I don't think Staal actually meant to crosscheck him in the head, it was a 2 minute blown penalty call. I mean James Neal straight up rammed his stick into Fast's mouth last night, he didn't mean to do it, reffs made the right call. Stop whining so much pens fans.
- Grinder47

Not pointing at you, but I've seen more whining, about the whining... people need to lighten up a tad in general.

Just reading some of the Pittsburgh media and Pens fans talk about the whole Staal thing makes me realize why people hate this franchise, and its fans so much. Sid is fine, I don't think Staal actually meant to crosscheck him in the head, it was a 2 minute blown penalty call. I mean James Neal straight up rammed his stick into Fast's mouth last night, he didn't mean to do it, reffs made the right call. Stop whining so much pens fans.
- Grinder47

Here's the deal, Staal had a very serious concussion, and for him to not just cross check Sid at the back of the neck/base of the skull, then later get him again on the side of the head with his stick is NO accident. Staal's quote in Dejean's article summed up what he thought too;

Staal's only response when asked about his stick assaults on Crosby: “It's competing. He's coming to the front of the net, and there can't be free ice.”

Sorry, it was cheap and dirty not once but twice, and a player who has this head injury history should know better/have more respect.

Didn't watch the entire game last night, but from what I've seen of the series it is pretty much as expected : the Pens couldn't have hand-picked a better 2nd round matchup (the Rangers just don't seem to bother the Pens, while they give teams like the Flyers, and the Caps in prior years, fits). Not saying that the Rangers can't come back and win 3 of 4, but it's a long-shot and I think the series is more likely to end in 5 than for us to see a turnaround in the Rangers favor. Looking a lot like a rematch of both the ECF and WCF from last season.

Here's the deal, Staal had a very serious concussion, and for him to not just cross check Sid at the back of the neck/base of the skull, then later get him again on the side of the head with his stick is NO accident. Staal's quote in Dejean's article summed up what he thought too;

Staal's only response when asked about his stick assaults on Crosby: “It's competing. He's coming to the front of the net, and there can't be free ice.”

Sorry, it was cheap and dirty not once but twice, and a player who has this head injury history should know better/have more respect.
- ryman1566

It's baffling, but a lot of guys just seem to play this way regardless of their own circumstances (wasn't Staal concussed by his own brother ?).

Just reading some of the Pittsburgh media and Pens fans talk about the whole Staal thing makes me realize why people hate this franchise, and its fans so much. Sid is fine, I don't think Staal actually meant to crosscheck him in the head, it was a 2 minute blown penalty call. I mean James Neal straight up rammed his stick into Fast's mouth last night, he didn't mean to do it, reffs made the right call. Stop whining so much pens fans.
- Grinder47

The officiating is just mind boggling. A cross check to the neck is ok, but they call that horsepoop hooking penalty at the end just to give the Rangers a chance (if their PP wasn't a joke).

We see it constantly, they let everything go until they call a ticky tack penalty to give a losing team a chance late, or to negate a PP by a team with the lead.

I've reffed a ton of games, and I get managing the game a bit, but reffing the score irritates the he'll out of me.

The officiating is just mind boggling. A cross check to the neck is ok, but they call that horsepoop hooking penalty at the end just to give the Rangers a chance (if their PP wasn't a joke).

We see it constantly, they let everything go until they call a ticky tack penalty to give a losing team a chance late, or to negate a PP by a team with the lead.

I've reffed a ton of games, and I get managing the game a bit, but reffing the score irritates the he'll out of me.
- rival22

It's frustrating, but until the fan backlash starts getting ignored by the league (one that is still really doing whatever it can to be a Top 3/4 sport in the US), it'll keep happening. Reffing the score is complete nonsense. Everyone knows this. But the minute you call a penalty on a losing team with 3 minutes to go or you give the leading team a PP with 90 seconds left, it essentially ends the game at that point. The fans get disappointed and leave early. The tv viewers change the channel. And the fans of the losing team throw a female dog fit of biblical proportions on the internet screaming about how the refs took away their chance to tie it up. (some fanbases more than others)

They aren't so much reffing the score as much as reffing the fans at home and in the building to keep their interest and generate "excitement". That doesn't make it even a valid strategy, but it is their rationale.

So in a way, they are consistent. They ref to keep the game "interesting" and not to enforce the rulebook. They just use the rulebook as their crutch to justify their method of generating "exciting situations". It hate to compare it to wrestling, but they are the same in a way. While the outcome isn't pre-decided like wrestling, the script remains the same. The team that makes the most noise in the media will get early rewards to shut them up. Then they'll swallow the whistles except for the most blatant of blatant "we can't even pretend we didn't see that" calls (unless it's vastly lopsided). And then, the team that's losing near the end of a close game will get that desperately needed power play at just the right time to maybe make the game closer or tie it up.

It's disappointing to be that cynical, but it's the way it always works. I wish it was just about calling the game, but the refs haven't been about enforcing the rulebook for a long time. They've been about managing the game & essentially are on-ice producers/script writers for the NHL.