John Toperzer: Game Night: Orpik, Neal could return Tuesday night Pens look to extend series lead to three games to one Tuesday on Long Island

John Toperzer: Game Night: Orpik, Neal could return Tuesday night
Pens look to extend series lead to three games to one Tuesday on Long Island
- the-mitch-wilsons

Results: Forty-five percent of respondents believe Crosby did dive in OT against New York

Well that settles it John, the voters have spoken.

Results: Forty-five percent of respondents believe Crosby did dive in OT against New York

Well that settles it John, the voters have spoken.
- Cptmjl

45% of the voters were trolls from New York, Philly, Montreal and other parts that know nothing about the game ... it's pretty obvious

Results: Forty-five percent of respondents believe Crosby did dive in OT against New York

Well that settles it John, the voters have spoken.
- Cptmjl

Perhaps more accurately, 45% believe the refs favor Crosby and elite players. However, their type of play is what gains them the calls, IMO.

lets Go pens!! let's do it!!

Crosby has the same amount of diving penalties in his career as Jeremy Roenick has Stanley Cups.....

It's not Sid's fault he outworks everyone else on the ice, when you work, you get those calls, not too hard to figure out.

As for the poll, take into account how many fans were trolling instead of looking at it from objective postitions.

It's the playoffs, these types of things get magnified, move on and let's take Game 4 and come home

Free candy and Neal? Yes, please!!!

Free candy and Neal? Yes, please!!!
- Francois Leroux

Results: Forty-five percent of respondents believe Crosby did dive in OT against New York

Well that settles it John, the voters have spoken.
- Cptmjl

45% is still a minority opinion right?

Free candy and Neal? Yes, please!!!
- Francois Leroux

Full strength for the first time in a long time. Let's do this.

Dump. Chase. Hit. Force Turnover. Get Zone Time......rinse, cycle, repeat.

I just hope Orpik and Neal bring their A-games. I don't want them on the ice if they can't skate or are playing sheepish. That won't help this team at all.

I'd also love to see Joe Vitale on the ice. I love that guy's energy. It's a shame that there aren't enough spots to go around. Jokinen seems a little invisible as of late. I know he's on the 4th Line but you'd think he'd at least get his chances. Maybe Joe could take his spot with Adams and Beau Bennett.

I just hope Orpik and Neal bring their A-games. I don't want them on the ice if they can't skate or are playing sheepish. That won't help this team at all.

I'd also love to see Joe Vitale on the ice. I love that guy's energy. It's a shame that there aren't enough spots to go around. Jokinen seems a little invisible as of late. I know he's on the 4th Line but you'd think he'd at least get his chances.
- simethos

Interesting debate begins that if Neal is back in the line-up, do we see the following?

Dupuis - Crosby - Iginla
Kunitz - Malkin - Neal

Full strength for the first time in a long time. Let's do this.

Dump. Chase. Hit. Force Turnover. Get Zone Time......rinse, cycle, repeat.
- ryman1566

Scary when you think about it...

Seems like Orpik, Neal and TK are in. Who comes out besides Despres & Bennett? Gotta be glass right?

Cooke, Dupuis, Sutter, Jokinen, Kunitz & Morrow can kill penalties.

- cap1681

Ummmmmmmm free candy!!!!!

I just hope Orpik and Neal bring their A-games. I don't want them on the ice if they can't skate or are playing sheepish. That won't help this team at all.

I'd also love to see Joe Vitale on the ice. I love that guy's energy. It's a shame that there aren't enough spots to go around. Jokinen seems a little invisible as of late. I know he's on the 4th Line but you'd think he'd at least get his chances. Maybe Joe could take his spot with Adams and Beau Bennett.
- simethos

Jokinen is at 58% in the face-off circle. They are not taking him out.

Jokinen is at 58% in the face-off circle. They are not taking him out.
- cap1681

Especially considering he can shift up-and-down lines playing either center or wing.

Crosby has the same amount of diving penalties in his career as Jeremy Roenick has Stanley Cups.....

It's not Sid's fault he outworks everyone else on the ice, when you work, you get those calls, not too hard to figure out.

As for the poll, take into account how many fans were trolling instead of looking at it from objective postitions.

It's the playoffs, these types of things get magnified, move on and let's take Game 4 and come home
- ryman1566

I'm pretty sure if the roles were reversed and that was JT with the puck and not Crosby, a whopping 5% would say it was a dive and no penalty. It's not rocket science here.

Lets just settle this Crosby thing now, sure Crosby dove while he was being molested coming out of the corner. He also had the game winning assist, and helped the Pens go up 2-1 in the series. Things happen.

How awesome is that, another thing he is the best in the world at.

So lets just leave it at that, he dove; try killing it off instead of crying about it.
Or did Crosby's dive leave Kuni standing alone in front of your cage?

Game 4 lets have some fun boys.

I don't care who comes back if we don't play more physical it won't matter. That first game the Pens looked awesome hitting JT every time he went near the puck. In the 3rd period he wanted no parts of playing hockey. How about we get back to that? Morrow and Cooke looked Great game 1!!!

I hope Orpik plays I cant stomach watching Nisk play top minutes. He turns the puck over a lot and is terrible at picking up a rush. Defense needs to be better all around but Nisk and Engo have really stuck out to me.

I think the Pens find their game tonight and win like 6-3.

Lets just settle this Crosby thing now, sure Crosby dove while he was being molested coming out of the corner. He also had the game winning assist, and helped the Pens go up 2-1 in the series. Things happen.

How awesome is that, another thing he is the best in the world at.
- nbartley9

Screw arguing it!!! The Pens got poop on in game 2 by officiating and it's the reason it wasn't 2-0 in the first place. If anything they returned the favor but it was clearly a penalty!!! However just not in the unwritten rule book that says it's the playoffs we let them play at a certain point..... Maybe the NHL should just call a complete game for now on. So tired of this league as it has always tried to even the game by catering to 3rd liners!!!

I don't care who comes back if we don't play more physical it won't matter. That first game the Pens looked awesome hitting JT every time he went near the puck. In the 3rd period he wanted no parts of playing hockey. How about we get back to that? Morrow and Cooke looked Great game 1!!!

I hope Orpik plays I cant stomach watching Nisk play top minutes. He turns the puck over a lot and is terrible at picking up a rush. Defense needs to be better all around but Nisk and Engo have really stuck out to me.

I think the Pens find their game tonight and win like 6-3.
- lloyd095

This is the Islanders Game 7 tonight. It's an uphill battle regardless because you guys are stacked but a loss tonight and its over. I just want a win tonight so I can come back to the old barn for one more crazy night

Screw arguing it!!! The Pens got poop on in game 2 by officiating and it's the reason it wasn't 2-0 in the first place. If anything they returned the favor but it was clearly a penalty!!! However just not in the unwritten rule book that says it's the playoffs we let them play at a certain point..... Maybe the NHL should just call a complete game for now on. So tired of this league as it has always tried to even the game by catering to 3rd liners!!!
- lloyd095

I've said it since the game ended sunday. It's not the refs fault. The pens are winning this series because their special teams have been well special and the Isles special teams have been brutal. End of discussion

I don't care who comes back if we don't play more physical it won't matter. That first game the Pens looked awesome hitting JT every time he went near the puck. In the 3rd period he wanted no parts of playing hockey. How about we get back to that? Morrow and Cooke looked Great game 1!!!

I hope Orpik plays I cant stomach watching Nisk play top minutes. He turns the puck over a lot and is terrible at picking up a rush. Defense needs to be better all around but Nisk and Engo have really stuck out to me.

I think the Pens find their game tonight and win like 6-3.
- lloyd095

Agreed! The Pens need to come out flying and hitting everything that touches the puck. I would nail Okposo and Tavares every time the opportunity comes up. I'd love love love to see Orpik send either of those guys flying hard into the boards.

This is the Islanders Game 7 tonight. It's an uphill battle regardless because you guys are stacked but a loss tonight and its over. I just want a win tonight so I can come back to the old barn for one more crazy night
- Vukota

If the Islanders had more offensive threats I would be really worried about what I have seen from them this series. They have been better 5 on 5 and I believe if we get by the Isles then Ottawa would be a better matchup for us.

Good Luck

Orpik has told the media that he has been told to not comment on his status for tonight.

I've said it since the game ended sunday. It's not the refs fault. The pens are winning this series because their special teams have been well special and the Isles special teams have been brutal. End of discussion
- Vukota

Special teams was the savior of the Pens in game 3 for sure. To bad in most playoff games PP's are usually taken away unless it's blatant or bloody.