TGDT: 2/20 Penguins @ Blackhawks 2:30PM NBC

[supraman]

Never understood the hatred for Crosby. He is an amazing hockey player. His concussion symptoms have not abated which sucks for him and the league.

He's a sad story, I want to be a fan of him but I can't condone whining, diving, and taint punching so **** Cindy.

 

[bierboy]

Because he's a cheapshot artist, whiner and diver.



If he'd just shut the **** up and play the game without cheapshots and crying no one would hate him.



No one is questioning his world class talent.

This....



....and, about the game....gladly take 2 points. Certainly not the prettiest, but Crow stood tall in the SO....and had a little luck both in the OT and the SO.



And, finally, I'm not the biggest Kane fan in the world, but his move on Fleury, who's a world-class netminder, was something to behold. I don't know what Toews saw where he thought he could go 5-hole. He's been bad in the SOs the last couple times....and why would you trot out Sharp as one of the first three? His SO stats are terrible. I'd rather see Hoss in there at that point.



Oh, and one more thing....seriously....outhit 50-31?! Un-freaking-believable....

 

[Chief Walking Stick]

This....



....and, about the game....gladly take 2 points. Certainly not the prettiest, but Crow stood tall in the SO....and had a little luck both in the OT and the SO.

Glad as well for the 2 points but seriously... the AHL Pens almost beat the Hawks. UGH!!!!!!!

 

[bubbleheadchief]

If he'd just shut the **** up ... no one would hate him.



Perhaps you should heed your own words , but I digress.



Crosby is the best player in the world today, who the NHL decided to make the face of the league following the NBA's blueprint with Michael Jordan. Talk about being in a fishbowl. Still with all the pressure Crosby has delivered the goods.

"best player in the world" is a matter of opinion, and opinions are like assholes, everyone has one. Crosby, where as I will agree is a world class hockey talent, He is NOT the best player in the world. With all the talent he has he is one classless little ***** with the diving and crying he does.

 

[Pez68]

Shit game, but two points.

 

[the canadian dream]

There are very few NHL players that can match Crosbys work ethic and determination. Ask players around the league and they will say the same thing. His whinning and diving has substantialy decreased also. I don't have a love for Crosby either he isn't even in my top 20 favs in the league. But I do think you have to respect the guys drive and skills. As for the best in the league? Agree that's debateable. Who cares.



anyways the game today. well i missed it all accept the last period/ot and the shoot out. So I really can't comment on the game as a whole. Was shit worried when they gave up the tieing goal in the 3rd period but at this point it seems to be expected. Happily take the 2 points to remain in the log jam. So glad that we didn't give points away to a team we are competing with.

 

[Tyralyon]

and why would you trot out Sharp as one of the first three? His SO stats are terrible. I'd rather see Hoss in there at that point.

Totally agree. I always think the same when Sharpie is chosen for the SO. I love him, but he's just not very good at shootouts... I can't understand why the coaches can't see the same. Toews is a lock for the SO, although he's not been as good lately, he is by far our best for shootouts. Hoss should definitely get the chance more often.



In regards to the game, it was pretty bad, and I really had a bad feeling all the way through that 3rd period, OT and SO. Seems we have no karma this year and we always lose when we play bad and all too often lose even when we play good. I was shocked that we actually got out with 2 points in this one. Some big games coming up now, let's hope we can string together a W streak.

 

[Ton]

Agreed on Sharp in the shootouts.



Don't really think Hossa should get a chance either, why not Frolik? He was acquired for his skill, use it. Bolland can be tricky with the puck as well, kinda makes me wonder how far the front office has their heads up their asses.



As far as the game, more of the same, good 1st period, shit play after that. We just aren't a very good hockey team this year. We have one line that can produce, the rest don't chip in consistently enough or at least not during times of importance. Q and the staff finally figured out they have to stack one line to get production going but by the third period they are worn down to shit anyway. At the same time Fleury stopped some really good chances -- but how long can the Hawks use the "hot goalie" excuse anyway? Time to finish plays.



Happy with the two points though, also fine that we gave one away by going to OT since the Pens are in the East. Thankfully Fleury slipped in the third and let in a shit goal by Bickell, otherwise we would have left the UC with nothing again.



Big problems this year all around. Good thing is we still have some very good players, with a solid off-season we could be right back in the thick of things again, maybe even the conference finals next year. This off-season is a good chance for Stan to prove he knows how to build a hockey team, and not just acquiring players because they have more skill than others.

 

[PatrickShart]

Wouldnt it be Haviland now with his head up his ass? He was moving players around the last 2 games during the games...so is he as dumb as Q?

 

[Ton]

Wouldnt it be Haviland now with his head up his ass? He was moving players around the last 2 games during the games...so is he as dumb as Q?

I haven't had a problem with Havilands coaching techniques. His shoot out decisions were just exactly what Q has been using all year, he said he wouldn't change much.



His line combos have not changed much, not sure what you are talking about. For the most part he has stuck with the same thing. I think the only thing he did was switch Bolland and Kopecky -- which IMO is a great move.

 

[PatrickShart]

Rewatch the games. During the 3rd...Kopecky played at times with Bolland/Hossa....as has Brouwer, Bickell and Frolik at times.



I dont have a problem when Q or Haviland do that in game. But Q does it...and he gets torn. Not one mention when Haviland does it.



As far as Sharp shooting in the shootouts - that decided at practices and seeing it every day I'm sure...not just a gut feeling by either coach.

 

[Ton]

Rewatch the games. During the 3rd...Kopecky played at times with Bolland/Hossa....as has Brouwer, Bickell and Frolik at times.



I dont have a problem when Q or Haviland do that in game. But Q does it...and he gets torn. Not one mention when Haviland does it.



As far as Sharp shooting in the shootouts - that decided at practices and seeing it every day I'm sure...not just a gut feeling by either coach.

I don't have a problem when its done for a few shifts, whether its Q or Haviland, I just have a problem with mixing it up when things are working. Q has done that a few times this year when a line is clicking he'll break them up in order to get the other guys going. Never agreed with that philosophy and still don't. Obviously he doesn't do it all the time and I don't necessarily agree with those that have bashed Q all year, but there are times I am frustrated with him.



This isn't to say Haviland is the perfect coach either, but so far I have liked what I have seen... with that said Havi said himself he wasn't going to change or steer from a different direction than what Q has been doing all year, so I wouldn't exactly say his interim role has been 100% his influence. Probably a good thing on his behalf, and a compliment to both coaches.



I'm sure both coaches have a good idea of who to use for the shoot out, but I agree with those who say Sharp shouldn't be in the top 3. I still say give Frolik or Bolland a shot. Kane and Toews are the obvious choices for top two.

 

[Shredder]

If you add up and combine their scoreless streaks, Hossa, Kopecky and Frolik now have 0 goals in their last 46 games. Hossa's got 0 in 7, Kopecky has 0 in 11 and Frolik has 0 in 28. The latter hasn't scored since December 17th...