Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 4/2/12

Haiku of the day:

The playoffs begin
anticipation builds
awash in Penguin tears.

So Bill, I suppose the Penguins are supposed to roll Crosby, Malkin, and Neal out there there again in garbage time when the game is out of reach after they've played most of the last 10 minutes and risk them getting injured? That would only have made a bad loss disastrous. There was nothing wrong with Vitale being out there, and nothing wrong with throwing a clean check. The check was textbook shoulder to shoulder, and wasn't "a little high", nor was it "gratuitous".

It was just hockey, no matter how you or Lava wants to spin it. Considering how your previous coach used to complain about Crosby's whining, I was really taken aback by the amount of whining coming from the eastern edge of the Commonwealth yesterday. How sad.

- BulliesPhan87

That was fantastic,

"The Flyers have declared Grossmann to be day-to-day. We'll see. He has a past history of knee problems, and already wears a heavy brace. Last season, a sprained MCL forced Grossmann to miss the rest of the season".



Good lord. I didn't know this yesterday. Not feeling as optimistic after reading this.

Bill Meltzer: Meltzer's Musings: 4/2/12
- bmeltzer

What's not being shown much though is that Crosby prior to the cross check Schenn gave him was going at it pretty good with Schenn as the play was going up the ice after the hit post that wound up being a goal.

Yet editing makes it look as if Schenn wanted to kill Crosby the golden boy versus the big bad evil do'er Flyers.

According to puck daddy, Hommer also smashed a stick into the opposing bench during a flyers caps game in 1991.

http://www.youtube.com/wa...5dhc2nv4&feature=youtu.be

I used to want to tank it down to 6 to play the panthers, but now all I want to do is beat the pens in the first round, I dont care about home ice all I want to do now is win the cup knowing we ruined Pittsburgh's season in the process, I want to send them home and watch the look on their faces after they give it their all and we win.

Of course thats what I hope will happen. I do think the flyers can win it in 6-7, but these teams are pretty evenly matched.

I just wish this was the conference final and not the first round

So Bill, I suppose the Penguins are supposed to roll Crosby, Malkin, and Neal out there there again in garbage time when the game is out of reach after they've played most of the last 10 minutes and risk them getting injured? That would only have made a bad loss disastrous. There was nothing wrong with Vitale being out there, and nothing wrong with throwing a clean check. The check was textbook shoulder to shoulder, and wasn't "a little high", nor was it "gratuitous".

It was just hockey, no matter how you or Lava wants to spin it. Considering how your previous coach used to complain about Crosby's whining, I was really taken aback by the amount of whining coming from the eastern edge of the Commonwealth yesterday. How sad.
- Emperor Filonius

so if rinaldo blows up Crosby in garbage time w/ a legal check we're cool - right? good

[quote=BulliesPhan87]

Hulk Hartnell. Nothing like a little comic relief.

It was an entertaining, chippy game, and it sure set up the last week of the regular season nicely.

So Bill, I suppose the Penguins are supposed to roll Crosby, Malkin, and Neal out there there again in garbage time when the game is out of reach after they've played most of the last 10 minutes and risk them getting injured? That would only have made a bad loss disastrous. There was nothing wrong with Vitale being out there, and nothing wrong with throwing a clean check. The check was textbook shoulder to shoulder, and wasn't "a little high", nor was it "gratuitous".

It was just hockey, no matter how you or Lava wants to spin it. Considering how your previous coach used to complain about Crosby's whining, I was really taken aback by the amount of whining coming from the eastern edge of the Commonwealth yesterday. How sad.
- Emperor Filonius

I have to agree with you. Penguins were down 3 goals with a minute left in the game. Outcome had already been decided. Throw in the fact Schenn's hit on Crosby, and the chance for there to be a powder keg at the end of the game was a distinct possibility.

It made far less sense for Laviolette to have Briere on the ice at that point, then Bylsma having Vitale, Asham, and Engelland out there.

So Bill, I suppose the Penguins are supposed to roll Crosby, Malkin, and Neal out there there again in garbage time when the game is out of reach after they've played most of the last 10 minutes and risk them getting injured? That would only have made a bad loss disastrous. There was nothing wrong with Vitale being out there, and nothing wrong with throwing a clean check. The check was textbook shoulder to shoulder, and wasn't "a little high", nor was it "gratuitous".

It was just hockey, no matter how you or Lava wants to spin it. Considering how your previous coach used to complain about Crosby's whining, I was really taken aback by the amount of whining coming from the eastern edge of the Commonwealth yesterday. How sad.
- Emperor Filonius

You know we had our 2nd line out there right?

If we had our 4th line out...I totally agree with you, but we were not looking for a fight there like you guys were.

I have to agree with you. Penguins were down 3 goals with a minute left in the game. Outcome had already been decided. Throw in the fact Schenn's hit on Crosby, and the chance for there to be a powder keg at the end of the game was a distinct possibility.

It made far less sense for Laviolette to have Briere on the ice at that point, then Bylsma having Vitale, Asham, and Engelland out there.
- PLindbergh31

I agree with this too, but when the situation is reversed I am going to remind you what happened on Saturday.

one thing the NHL on the Fly telecast pointed out is right before Schenn cross checked Crosby, Crosby has taken a shot at Schenn. Didn't see it....just pointing out what they said. And how many sticks did Crosby break over a Flyer without a call being made? its ridiculous he gets away with that. its 2 mins. call it. Regardless, that poop was going on all game by both teams.

one thing the NHL on the Fly telecast pointed out is right before Schenn cross checked Crosby, Crosby has taken a shot at Schenn. Didn't see it....just pointing out what they said. And how many sticks did Crosby break over a Flyer without a call being made? its ridiculous he gets away with that. its 2 mins. call it. Regardless, that poop was going on all game by both teams.
- nastyflyergirl

Thank you! I saw the full clip during the Rags Bruins game. They came up the ice and Schenn gave him a shot back.

it was a good game yesterday. lots of fun to watch. hopefully my penguins get it together.

i dont think that grossman hit was on purpose. vitale isnt that kind of player. i liked grossman though. it would suck if were to be out long term.

This is comical...

Each team has their dirty players.

The difference is that the two most dirtest players on the Pens are their star players. This is just not a fan complaining, I'm just stating a fact.

The Flyers were willing to just play the game out but Blysma wanted to send a message. That's fine but let's call a spade a spade.

I did read somoneon the Pens board saying that Rinaldo hid behind a ref. That's farthest from the truth as well. Rinaldo had a ref/linesman draped all over him when he went on the ice after Briere left the ice.

The easiest way to knock the Sid and Malkin cookie off their game is to keep hitting them. They will start to worry about the hits more then scoring goals.

Plus like it or not, one good hit could take out Sid again....

one thing the NHL on the Fly telecast pointed out is right before Schenn cross checked Crosby, Crosby has taken a shot at Schenn. Didn't see it....just pointing out what they said. And how many sticks did Crosby break over a Flyer without a call being made? its ridiculous he gets away with that. its 2 mins. call it. Regardless, that poop was going on all game by both teams.
- nastyflyergirl

This.

I agree with this too, but when the situation is reversed I am going to remind you what happened on Saturday.
- flyers4487

I wouldn't have a problem if the Flyers were down by 3 goals on Saturday for Laviolette to have Shelley (if he's dressed) and Rinaldo on the ice in that situation. In fact I would expect it. It's part of their jobs to answer the call in that exact instance.

What's not being shown much though is that Crosby prior to the cross check Schenn gave him was going at it pretty good with Schenn as the play was going up the ice after the hit post that wound up being a goal.

Yet editing makes it look as if Schenn wanted to kill Crosby the golden boy versus the big bad evil do'er Flyers.
- hockeylover

Well, and makes it look like Crosby just learned to skate Saturday and had no balance.

it was a good game yesterday. lots of fun to watch. hopefully my penguins get it together.

i dont think that grossman hit was on purpose. vitale isnt that kind of player. i liked grossman though. it would suck if were to be out long term.
- SuperHenderson13

I think it was more irresponsible than dirty on Vitale's part. I don't think he tried to injure Grossmann. Vitale is the much smaller player, there is a good chance he could be injured as well attempting that type of hit.

And the Code of Conduct didn't change overnight. There's still no name calling. You can make your point without it.

So Bill, I suppose the Penguins are supposed to roll Crosby, Malkin, and Neal out there there again in garbage time when the game is out of reach after they've played most of the last 10 minutes and risk them getting injured? That would only have made a bad loss disastrous. There was nothing wrong with Vitale being out there, and nothing wrong with throwing a clean check. The check was textbook shoulder to shoulder, and wasn't "a little high", nor was it "gratuitous".

It was just hockey, no matter how you or Lava wants to spin it. Considering how your previous coach used to complain about Crosby's whining, I was really taken aback by the amount of whining coming from the eastern edge of the Commonwealth yesterday. How sad.
- Emperor Filonius

Let's face it, both teams played a chippy game yesterday. And both teams had guys that did their share of WWE promos yesterday. Laviolette's comments were certainly self serving, as was Crosby's complaint about the cross check from Schenn.

It's all gamesmanship, it happens every year and all 30 teams engage in it. Are fans of both teams going to spend another day complaining about the other team's dirty whiny players while ignoring our their own team's dirty, whiny players?

Well, and makes it look like Crosby just learned to skate Saturday and had no balance.
- bodiva88

He learned that move from Chara.

Well, and makes it look like Crosby just learned to skate Saturday and had no balance.
- bodiva88

I've been cross checked hard in the back and I have never flown to the ice like that. I don't know, usually when you superman its because you are letting yourself go down.