I don't know about this.

I remember early in his career, you could almost see the disgust on Sid's face when he played Philly (after the Hatcher dental plan his rookie year) and he always showed up to play and, almost every time, dominated the game. He DID get involved chirping and with all the post-whistle stuff. That seemed to fuel him at the time. I always thought the Flyers were stupid for getting him riled up.

Now, its the complete opposite. When he gets involved with that stuff, it throws him totally off his game and the league knows it.

I don't know why the change?
- 87_71_11_29

Perhaps that is/was just the rivalry with Philly?

Crosby's message sending has to be in the form of scoring points. It has to be 'You can hack me, crosscheck me, spear me, whatever. I am still going to score." His message isn't "I'm going to retaliate" because he is retaliating against guys like Dominic Moore and Brian Boyle. Guys who could never even dream of matching skills with Crosby. But when he gets sucked into playing third liner hockey, they win.

Yep. I don't know if it is because he has spent a whole season as a Bruin vs 15 games as a Penguin but he's been good for the Bruins.
- Ben37

when you treat someone like crap when they're here, you cant expect much in return.

Honestly, I wouldn't ever use the term "lesser' team, because it's pretty damn demeaning. I'll call them a lower seed, and a team that, statistically and in view of recent history, we should beat. But come playoff time, very team can pull off an upset of any team. I don't think any NHL team should be called a "lesser" team though, especially when some of them may be able to play a team game that the "superior" team can't handle.

If you keep losing to these "lesser' teams, then maybe it's you guys who are the "lesser" team in the end, despite your gawdy regular season records.
- jmatchett383

Nope ... fact is this ... our guys take things for granted; seem to think they can turn on the switch at any moment and come back and win. It's not that we are the "lesser" team, its moreso because our guys seem disinterested. You saw that in the Columbus series and you have certainly seen it this series the last two games. Anyone who thinks it was otherwise, wasn't paying attention. No urgency, a very uninspiring way to start games. An interested team, closes this out in Pittsburgh in game five or at worst in NY in game six.

Nope ... fact is this ... our guys take things for granted; seem to think they can turn on the switch at any moment and come back and win. It's not that we are the "lesser" team, its moreso because our guys seem disinterested. You saw that in the Columbus series and you have certainly seen it this series the last two games. An interested team, closes this out in Pittsburgh in game five or at worst in NY in game six.
- Oneonta Penguin

If your team can't play with enough intensity to close out a 3-1 series lead, then yes, you are the "lesser" team. You might have the better superstars, but the other guys are superior as a team.

I think one of the worst mistakes was Shero acquiring him in the first place. This "you only get a chance to acquire Jarome Iginla once" bullpoop got me shaking my head. I remain steadfast in saying he was trying to keep him away from Boston. It's not like we needed him on the power play. We were ranked the tops in the league at that point. We didn't need his edge either after we overpaid for Brandon Morrow. He because redundant and quite frankly not needed.
- Oneonta Penguin

In hind sight you're right. It obviously didn't work. Still.....when the Pens PP went south in the playoffs, especially against Boston, they left a HOF'r sitting on the bench. Dan was too stubborn at that point to use him. Horrible coaching.

delete

In hind sight you're right. It obviously didn't work. Still.....when the Pens PP went south in the playoffs, especially against Boston, they left a HOF'r sitting on the bench. Dan was too stubborn at that point to use him. Horrible coaching.
- madmike71

He also should have played him in his natural position, the one he's been at his whole life, instead of ensuring that James Neal got his preferred position.

No, its the lesser inspired or interested team.
- Oneonta Penguin

Inspiration and hard work are essential parts of a team, just as much as skill. Ask Alexander Daigle about it, if you'd like.

In hind sight you're right. It obviously didn't work. Still.....when the Pens PP went south in the playoffs, especially against Boston, they left a HOF'r sitting on the bench. Dan was too stubborn at that point to use him. Horrible coaching.
- madmike71

This wasn't in hind sight for me. I was totally against that deal from the start. It was worthless and made no sense even before. Yes, it was horrible coaching, but lets face it, there was no plan once that trade was made - either from Shero or Bylsma.

The core of this team needs a big shake up regardless of tonight's outcome. A part of me actually wants a loss to have a greater chance of change that will improve our future.

Neal, Letang, and Fleury are the core pieces that need to be moved
Kunitz should be moved if the right deal is there.
The bottom 6 needs a complete redo (Bennett, Glass, Adams, Pyatt, etc need to go)
Would keep Sutter as 3c since his elevated play late this year
Let Orpik walk, re-sign Niskanen
Fire Bylsma and Shero

This wasn't in hind sight for me. I was totally against that deal from the start. It was worthless and made no sense even before. Yes, it was horrible coaching, but lets face it, there was no plan once that trade was made - either from Shero or Bylsma.
- Oneonta Penguin

Iginla was the shiny piece they could get. He didn't adequately address their needs. Neither did Douglas Murray, for that matter.

You guys should all be happy they didn't go hard for Kesler this year. He's not the player that you need, either.

He also should have played him in his natural position, the one he's been at his whole life, instead of ensuring that James Neal got his preferred position.
- jmatchett383

He should have tried multiple options when the Pens couldn't score against Boston. I would have put Iggy on Sid's RW and shifted Duper down. It was one of the worst cases I've ever seen of a coach needing to be right more than needing to win.

The core of this team needs a big shake up regardless of tonight's outcome. A part of me actually wants a loss to have a greater chance of change that will improve our future.

Neal, Letang, and Fleury are the core pieces that need to be moved
Kunitz should be moved if the right deal is there.
The bottom 6 needs a complete redo (Bennett, Glass, Adams, Pyatt, etc need to go)
Would keep Sutter as 3c since his elevated play late this year
Let Orpik walk, re-sign Niskanen
Fire Bylsma and Shero
- Pens871

I think most will agree that the bottom-6, minus Sutter, needs a big overhaul. I'd hold onto Megna, but there's a lot of fat that can be cut.

At least no matter the outcome of the game tonight we will not have to hear anymore about St. Louis mother's magical death powers that have sparked a team to be better at getting lucky and having the puck bounce off their shin pads and into the net and calling it help from beyond the grave. Give me a freaking break, I am sorry that she died, just like I would be sorry that anyone died (except the few people I wish dead on a daily basis), but enough is enough Rags beat us because they played better the last two games; not because of St. Louis' mother sadly passing.

Get ready to go home crying Rags fans because there is not a chance in hell that you beat us tonight.

There is no other worldly powers that can even help you tonight, get ready to be stomped.

At least no matter the outcome of the game tonight we will not have to hear anymore about St. Louis mother's magical death powers that have sparked a team to be better at getting lucky and having the puck bounce off their shin pads and into the net and calling it help from beyond the grave. Give me a freaking break, I am sorry that she died, just like I would be sorry that anyone died (except the few people I wish dead on a daily basis), but enough is enough Rags beat us because they played better the last two games; not because of St. Louis' mother sadly passing.

Get ready to go home crying Rags fans because there is not a chance in hell that you beat us tonight.

There is no other worldly powers that can even help you tonight, get ready to be stomped.
- nbartley9

Where was this? Link?

Where was this? Link?
- jmatchett383

O it was on the NBCSN broadcast, it was mentioned every 1.6 seconds; it was right after they got done mentioning that it was mothers day and it was going to light a fire under the Rangers.

Some of you guys do know that making trades in the actual NHL is a lot harder than it is in NHL14 right? A team simply cannot trade 14 pieces in the new NHL. We're stuck with some of these players.

Iginla was the shiny piece they could get. He didn't adequately address their needs. Neither did Douglas Murray, for that matter.

You guys should all be happy they didn't go hard for Kesler this year. He's not the player that you need, either.
- jmatchett383

We needed another Dman. I wasn't opposed to acquiring Doug Murray. I was opposed to overspending and giving up two second round picks for a guy that fell out of disfavor in SJ. It should have been for a third.

I think Shero went hard after Kesler. He has the same love for Kesler as he did for Iginla. I like Kesler. That said, there isn't a match here to get Ryan Kesler to Pittsburgh. If there was, he would be on this roster.

Kesler is high risk, high reward. His injury resume would fit in for the Pens without question.

The core of this team needs a big shake up regardless of tonight's outcome. A part of me actually wants a loss to have a greater chance of change that will improve our future.

Neal, Letang, and Fleury are the core pieces that need to be moved
Kunitz should be moved if the right deal is there.
The bottom 6 needs a complete redo (Bennett, Glass, Adams, Pyatt, etc need to go)
Would keep Sutter as 3c since his elevated play late this year
Let Orpik walk, re-sign Niskanen
Fire Bylsma and Shero
- Pens871

the only placce bennett needs to go next season is to the gym and then to the top 6 for a steady amount of time.

O it was on the NBCSN broadcast, it was mentioned every 1.6 seconds; it was right after they got done mentioning that it was mothers day and it was going to light a fire under the Rangers.
- nbartley9

It did light a fire under them, I'm sure. The team has rallied around him, and I'm sure he had some extra inspiration. But I didn't hear anyone talking about magic voodoo powers from beyond the grave directing the puck into the net.

The core of this team needs a big shake up regardless of tonight's outcome. A part of me actually wants a loss to have a greater chance of change that will improve our future.

Neal, Letang, and Fleury are the core pieces that need to be moved
Kunitz should be moved if the right deal is there.
The bottom 6 needs a complete redo (Bennett, Glass, Adams, Pyatt, etc need to go)
Would keep Sutter as 3c since his elevated play late this year
Let Orpik walk, re-sign Niskanen
Fire Bylsma and Shero
- Pens871

Why are we trading Kunitz in the right deal? We are looking for a winger for Sid right now because everyone thinks Dupes is a third line guy, so that would mean looking for two wingers. How many years have we been looking for at least one winger for the best player in the league? You want to add another one to that? Last year, that line had the best chemistry bar none. Why change it?

We needed another Dman. I wasn't opposed to acquiring Doug Murray. I was opposed to overspending and giving up two second round picks for a guy that fell out of disfavor in SJ. It should have been for a third.

I think Shero went hard after Kesler. He has the same love for Kesler as he did for Iginla. I like Kesler. That said, there isn't a match here to get Ryan Kesler to Pittsburgh. If there was, he would be on this roster.

Kesler is high risk, high reward. His injury resume would fit in for the Pens without question.
- Oneonta Penguin

But where do you put him? Do you want to give up Pouliot+ for a guy who's gonna play on the 3rd line? Is that worth it?

At least no matter the outcome of the game tonight we will not have to hear anymore about St. Louis mother's magical death powers that have sparked a team to be better at getting lucky and having the puck bounce off their shin pads and into the net and calling it help from beyond the grave. Give me a freaking break, I am sorry that she died, just like I would be sorry that anyone died (except the few people I wish dead on a daily basis), but enough is enough Rags beat us because they played better the last two games; not because of St. Louis' mother sadly passing.

Get ready to go home crying Rags fans because there is not a chance in hell that you beat us tonight.

There is no other worldly powers that can even help you tonight, get ready to be stomped.
- nbartley9

Agree with this

Why are we trading Kunitz in the right deal? We are looking for a winger for Sid right now because everyone thinks Dupes is a third line guy, so that would mean looking for two wingers. How many years have we been looking for at least one winger for the best player in the league? You want to add another one to that? Last year, that line had the best chemistry bar none. Why change it?
- Oneonta Penguin

If the right deal is an upgrade, everyone in the NHL not named Crosby or Stamkos can be had.

It did light a fire under them, I'm sure. The team has rallied around him, and I'm sure he had some extra inspiration. But I didn't hear anyone talking about magic voodoo powers from beyond the grave directing the puck into the net.
- jmatchett383

100% bs, they played the way they played because of the fear of golfing 2 days later, to say it was St.Louis mothers death is totally insane. To even suggest that it made St.Louis himself play any different is also insane.

Over/under on how many times they mention it tonight +/- 5000, any takers? I will take over.