Paul McCann: Why must Crosby be media protected?

If they wouldn't have called back that touchdown we probably would have won

Because he is the best player in the world, but also one that is a (female cat). He has all the skill but is the biggest crybaby.

Head slammed into the ice? Come on man...it was some face washing and love tapping. Subban was holding on to Crosby and his stick with all four limbs. What Subban was doing was worse.

He didnt try to throw that water bottle with his left hand when he's right handed. You can see it slips in the video. Why would he lose his cool like that up 4-0 and up 4-0 nothing when he was major factor in a positive way? It was an accident plain and simple. Why is that so hard to believe? hahah

Regardless of whether he meant to throw the water bottle should have been called...not sure why it wasn't.

Considering the Subban incident, I think slamming his head into the ice is a little over-dramatic. But surely he should have been penalized for roughing, or something other than holding. Maybe even a double minor. What I think many are missing or ignoring, that the ref did not, is that Subban was holding Crosby's leg, preventing him from getting up. This is one of those situations where the ref probably thought if Subban is going to give, they'll allow him to take a little.

As the Sportsnet guys said in the intermission after the water bottle incident - He doesn't react to all the people goading him, punching him, etc, but people think he'd react with throwing a water bottle with his non-throwing hand?

By the book, it's a penalty but if you think they're going to call that when it was inconsequential and nowhere near anyone at all, you're not going to get any sympathy. Especially with what the refs have NOT been calling. Rust getting taken down in the first with a clear scoring chance, anyone?

In the end, Crosby is under the microscope. Opponents and the media. He does some cheap stuff but takes it, if not more.

Not saying Subban deserved it from Crosby but he is getting away with a lot of dirty play himself. The amount of dirty stick work he does during the play and post whistle is just over the top. If the refs called a tight game he would be in the box the entire game.

Not saying Subban deserved it from Crosby but he is getting away with a lot of dirty play himself. The amount of dirty stick work he does during the play and post whistle is just over the top. If the refs called a tight game he would be in the box the entire game.
- waitforawhistle

Exactly.

Paul, shouldn't you be more focused on working on pumping more noise into Bridgestone Arena on Sunday? Reading your nonsense is time I will never be able to get back....quit your whining...if you need a box of Kleenex....send me your address. Just as an FYI for you......the Preds are NOT all angels as you seem to think they are. The Crosby/Subban situation is great theater...One is one of the best players in the league, and the other is Subban.

With all this said....the Preds will most likely win on Sunday and Pitt will win game 7 as Pekka can't stop a beach ball in PPG Paints Arena. And When Pitt does win...Paul can lead the chants that it's all Pekka's fault!

"Slammed" PK's head while Subban had his arms wrapped around Sid's leg and stick.


https://mobile.twitter.co...72981359165353985/photo/1

When Subban comes out after the game and has no issue with it and blows it off, it amazes me that writers/media have to put "their own" spin on it. Subban loves to "troll" and kid around with people, he has fun with his bad breath comments, his bringing listerine in his game day bag, knowing cameras will catch it.

This is why I respect PK, he knows he trolls and knows that when it comes back onto him that it was his actions in the first place that caused it. PK didn't whine or complain and in my opinion if the guy it happened to had no issues with it why should writers/fans?

Writers/fans just have to park their own emotions at the door, especially when the player that it happened to himself didn't make a big deal out of it.

The bvtthurt in this blog is delicious...

PS - If Subban isn't holding onto Crosbys leg, (not Crosby "holding Subban Down") then PK likely doesn't get gloved in the helmet

If you're gonna dish it out, better be prepared to take it

"Slammed" PK's head while Subban had his arms wrapped around Sid's leg and stick.


https://mobile.twitter.co...72981359165353985/photo/1
- cory7321

You're right slammed is the wrong term... but seriously wtf? If thats Crosby on the receiving end, you guys would be losing your minds calling for a Subban suspension...

You're right slammed is the wrong term... but seriously wtf? If thats Crosby on the receiving end, you guys would be losing your minds calling for a Subban suspension...
- geta02it

Some people would probably be outraged. I wouldn't be. Sid was pushing his head with his stick hand. I thought it was pretty clear that he was trying to get free from Subban.

You're right slammed is the wrong term... but seriously wtf? If thats Crosby on the receiving end, you guys would be losing your minds calling for a Subban suspension...
- geta02it

Exactly.

Pens in 6.

You're right slammed is the wrong term... but seriously wtf? If thats Crosby on the receiving end, you guys would be losing your minds calling for a Subban suspension...
- geta02it

You mean like when PK straight up punched Crosby in the back of the head in Game 1 with no call? Yes, people did want him suspended. But if the refs are going to let that go with not even a minor penalty, then I think it's unfair to call Crosby out for face washing while Subban has a death grip on his leg.

I do think that Crosby gets unfair protection, but so did Gretzky, Lemieux, even Lindros. This is nothing new.

Edit: ttps://twitter.com/PeteBlackburn/status/870078927812907009

This is such a bunch of malarky.

1) James Neal is one of the dirtiest players in the league, yet he really never gets much media coverage for how he plays and a couple of rather questionable hits this series, going out of his way and leaving his feet(which is not allowed) to make the hit. Neal is on the level of Lucic or Marchand.

2) Subban also hasn't gotten any media criticism for his play thus far and he's also just been straight up filthy at times. And look, something other Pens fans probably won't say: I love Subban. I love watching that guy play, he's a fierce competitor with an extreme level of talent. That doesn't change the fact that he plays, at times, a very dirty game.

3) Bringing up that slash is sour grapes. Sid's slash wasn't "vicious," it was unfortunate. It was a run-of-the-mill every day slash in what the NHL has become. If I had the time, I'd sit and make a compilation of the countless slashes just like it that happen more than once in EVERY SINGLE NHL GAME. Also, Sid did get PLENTY of media coverage for that slash, so I'm not sure what dude is talking about here.

I know the argument isn't the officiating, its the media coverage of Crosby, but the refs are still the culprit here. I don't know that I've ever seen such a bad year all around in officiating. I've watched bits and pieces of almost every series around the league this year and it's just jaw-dropping at times.

I'm taking this entire piece with a grain of salt since it was written by a still clearly bum-hurt Preds fan after last night's game. However, I cannot stand when people bring up the "Methot slash" as malicious. Anybody who watches hockey know that's a play that happens 15 times per NHL game. It was just an unfortunate accident.

As for the head punching last night, definitely should have been penalized. 4 for Sid, 2 for Subban. Water bottle toss (even though it didn't look intentional) should have been a delay of game call also. These playoffs have been a complete joke as far as officiating goes.

Go Leafs!

Bottom line: Pens won convincingly and the Preds had better bring their A-game for game 6 or it's over. All of this Crosby/Subban crap is a silly side note.

I'm taking this entire piece with a grain of salt since it was written by a still clearly bum-hurt Preds fan after last night's game. However, I cannot stand when people bring up the "Methot slash" as malicious. Anybody who watches hockey know that's a play that happens 15 times per NHL game. It was just an unfortunate accident.

As for the head punching last night, definitely should have been penalized. 4 for Sid, 2 for Subban. Water bottle toss (even though it didn't look intentional) should have been a delay of game call also. These playoffs have been a complete joke as far as officiating goes.

Go Leafs!
- LeafsPain54

Thank you for being sensible. I look forward to seeing a Sid/Matthews match-up before Sid hangs'em up.

People can call it anything they like, "facewash," or "trying to break free" or whatever. It was a penalty. Maybe not a game misconduct, since it was more shoving his head into the ice than full-fledged punching. But it should've been a major penalty for excessive roughing.

It would not have changed the outcome of this game. The Penguins made the Preds look awful. But it's a pretty bad look for the league on 2 fronts. First, the NHL claims they are concerned about concussions and head injuries. But they allow their premier player on national TV in the biggest game of the year to repeatedly strike an opponents head against the ice, and issue a "holding" penalty? Way to show concern for your players & potential head injuries.

Secondly, the league is regularly promoting it's diversity stance "Anyone can play this game." I got an advertisement about "pride tape" just yesterday from the NHL promoting diversity. Yeah, sure, they care about that. You have commentators on national television berating the league's top minority star because he has fun before games. And then, during game 5, you have the league's premier player (a white guy) sitting on top of the league's premier black player and pounding his head into the ice. And the white guy essentially gets away with it. Way to strike one for diversity and equal treatment NHL. And the same commentator who earlier disparaged Subban for being a clown, then doubled-down by saying he had the head-slamming coming. Nice.

Look, Subban gives as good as he gets. He clutches, grabs & slashes - but primarily during live play. Should they call some of that? Sure, but they have to call the extra slashes and spears that Crosby does as well. It's a two way street & the league failed big time last night.

Slammed. Lmao. Ironic> when people call him a crybaby are the ones actually crying.

I think it's been an awesome series. Wish the games were a little closer but still exciting nonetheless. Very impressed with Nashville getting this far being a '16' seed. Be happy for your team accomplishing what they have this year. but to actually think Nashville is playing clean, biased much? Otherwise talk about what they've been getting away with also. All you did was instigate with this piece. That's 2 minutes and you got away with it.

Paul McCann: Why must Crosby be media protected?
- pmccann

hahahahahaha someone sounds a little butt hurt - you know for being a professional writer you should leave your emotion out of your writing; just sayin'

you throw a lot of personal opinions and little facts from an extremely biased point of view might not be too helpful for your credibility but hey what do i know

and above all else the water bottle? really thats what youre mad at? not your team not showing up?

its playoff hockey and when you ignore/fail to provide information on the actions your team was doing immediately before each of these complaints, well let's just say it's kinda slimey

josi (i think it was) swung his stick at the player behind the play when they were about to score - crosby protested due to the ref being right there and being silent - the reason why there was no call is bc it was completely irrelevant to the play, if anything both should have been called but lets be real all players in question had nothing to do with the actual play thats ending (with a goal at the other end)

at 1205 second period the interference at the blue line on crosby in the second
at 1205 the semi late and high hit from neal in the first (fine in my book)

what would happen if the water bottle was from the goalie lol - they calling a penalty then too homie? lets say they didnt allow that goal... where the hell was the other 5 goals you needed to be competitive - nashvilles own media person was even talking crap, yet they didnt show up ...

its hard to point out a spec on someone else's face when you have a log on your own - Dr Peterson

Look, Subban gives as good as he gets. He clutches, grabs & slashes - but primarily during live play. Should they call some of that? Sure, but they have to call the extra slashes and spears that Crosby does as well. It's a two way street & the league failed big time last night.
- holycow_75

You're right. Just like Subban punching Sid in the back of the head without being called.

We can all(every fan that's had a team in this year's playoffs) go tit-for-tat. The league needs to step up.