Kessel was awesome for us. i never understood the stupidity that surrounded him and all the blame and hate he got. It wasn't his fault Burke underestimated how bad his team would be when he traded those picks for Kessel. And it wasn't his fault the rest of the team wasn't good enough. Then there were those stupid (mostly simmons) articles about him supposedly being out of shape and the hotdog crap...

I admit I thought it was necessary to trade him so we could do a proper rebuild, but I have loved to see his success in Pittsburgh. The guy deserved it. He's a class act, and pretty hilarious at times. I doubt Pittsburgh would've won either of their most recent cups without Phil.
- Thecakeisalie

A lot of people wanted a scoring winger in Kessel to be a 200 foot center. That was never going to be the case.

The other issue was Burke could have given him an offer sheet and only given up the 1st, 2nd and 3rd. But he felt the offer sheet wasnt honourable and dealt the picks instead.

CBJ too many men



bad time for that penalty.

This won’t age well.
- ClarksonDavid

Hope not. Don't want anything to do with Columbus next round.

Hope not. Don't want anything to do with Columbus next round.
- walshyleafsfan

Nice

Hope not. Don't want anything to do with Columbus next round.
- walshyleafsfan

They are good but I think Tampa was already thinking of the second round and beyond. Like they were owed the first round already.

It is far from over but that's what I see.

Puck near the Islanders net but clearly not covered again? Better blow the whistle.

Puck near the Islanders net but clearly not covered again? Better blow the whistle.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Every time I flick over they're on the PP

Isles and pens is a good game

Puck near the Islanders net but clearly not covered again? Better blow the whistle.
- GreatGigInTheSky

Refs can blow the whistle if they lose sight of the puck. The likely excuse here.

Tampa aren't built for the playoffs. Columbus are. Massively.
- walshyleafsfan

Columbus is one of those rare cases where going 'all-in' at the trade deadline actually yields something decent. They might shoot themselves for years to come but man Bob, Pan-Pizza and Dusch are getting paid this summer.

Columbus is one of those rare cases where going 'all-in' at the trade deadline actually yields something decent. They might shoot themselves for years to come but man Bob, Pan-Pizza and Dusch are getting paid this summer.
- AngryWhiteMale

Yeah but does anyone care about hockey in Columbus?

May as well have 1 great go for it. Then they can go back to being the Columbus Blue Jackets

Every time I flick over they're on the PP
- walshyleafsfan

Yeah, it's crazy.

Refs can blow the whistle if they lose sight of the puck. The likely excuse here.
- Aaron_85

Yeah, but that was pretty clearly not covered. There was a bunch of guys trying to get it.

The ref also has a responsibility to get in position to see the play.

Yeah but does anyone care about hockey in Columbus?

May as well have 1 great go for it. Then they can go back to being the Columbus Blue Jackets
- walshyleafsfan

They haven't lost their team yet.

Weak ass call on Crosby

Yeah, but that was pretty clearly not covered. There was a bunch of guys trying to get it.

The ref also has a responsibility to get in position to see the play.
- GreatGigInTheSky

I agree for the most part. I thought refs have relatively set positions like he cant swing out from behind the net to keep an eye on the puck in case it goes in?

Just keep giving the Penguins penalties.

Just keep giving the Penguins penalties.
- GreatGigInTheSky

But it was a high stick that time. Lame like the leafs last night but a high stick.

Islanders should have 3 goals by now

Just keep giving the Penguins penalties.
- GreatGigInTheSky

And the beat goes on...

But it was a high stick that time. Lame like the leafs last night but a high stick.

Islanders should have 3 goals by now
- Aaron_85

The "hook" called on Crosby wasn't (that's the penalty I was referring to).

And even the highstick was weak.

Regardless of the penalties, the islanders look hungry tonight. Murray holding the pens in

Just checked. Islanders are on pace for 11 PPs this game. (frank) that's more than the Leafs give up against Boston in Boston

Marner's goal was the first shorthanded penalty shot goal in franchise history.

Murray with a ten bell save

wtf CBJ... killing Tampa.