#Pens vs #Rangers - Round 2 #StanleyCupPlayoffs

[Aoki11]

Again false, as we have said countless times he has 114 points in 95 games. That's not normal by anyone's standards except yours. At this point you are just at the point of no return and you just have too big of an ego to admit you are wrong. I am officially done trying to be sensible with you because all this has done is make me tear my hair out. Especially when you completely insulted Crosby by trying to compare his value to that of Edmonton players. Good luck with him guys.

[konjo78]

I'm sorry when the Pens keep losing series with crosby getting minimal points and impact you'll eventually come around to the idea that the guys who win multiple cups are more valuable players than the ones who can perform only in the regular season..... 8 games won and 7 game winning goals come from kane or Toews? isn't that what leaders are suppose to do in the post season?

[HockeyGenie]

You don't seem to grasp the concept that Crosby is not the only player in a penguin uniform and Toews and Kane are not the only players in Blackhawks unis. Those two have been surrounded by star players and a deep roster that has brought them up. Crosby has had to consistently turn nobodies into some bodies. I you looked deeper into things you would know that. But no, you basically look at stats and scores and think you know everything about the pens and their situation.

[Manfred]

If I may, make 2 points to this endless discussion. The Pens suffered this season partly because of no Pascal Dupuis. As much as I've set Crosby on the pedestal since day 1, I feel he is only 95 % what he was prior to his 2 concussions. That's no shame, and most of the players in the league would kill to be as good as a 95 % Crosby.

[theoneandonly]

This Mike Babcock thing is really starting to pick up some legs.... Would love to see it happen.

[Aoki11]

Need to get rid of the luggage first. I hate to say it but it is true. Mike Babcock > DB, obviously.

Manfred, I agree that he's not 100% still. Althoughthis year shows that his not 100% is still 17 points better than the 2nd place guy. He seems to be getting better and better every year and I'd say by next year he will be the best he's ever been. Perfect scenario would be he comes out of the gates next year and scores 150 points, I know that's asking a lot these days but I would love to see it.

[Manfred]

Agreed, but if he keeps getting hammered like he did in the playoffs, with nothing being called, he won't get "better". What happened with protecting your superstars?

[voncap]

Agreed, but if he keeps getting hammered like he did in the playoffs, with nothing being called, he won't get "better". What happened with protecting your superstars?

That has been one of my 'beef' with hockey for some years now. In the NBA playoffs, they don't let defensive thugs start grabbing and holding Lebron and Durrant during the playoffs. They continue to protect them. In the NFL, they don't all of a sudden allow guys to take shots at the QB's just because it is the playoffs. They continue to protect them. Even in the baseball playoffs, the star pitchers continue to get the benefit of the slightly larger strike zone and the star hitter the benefit of the slightly smaller strike zone.

But in hockey there is this notion that it is playoff hockey and less penalties should be called. The obstruction and interference penalties called in the regular season go undetected in the playoffs. This makes the less skilled players more of a factor and IMO that is ridiculous.

[theoneandonly]

Great points about Sid getting hammered constantly in the playoffs... If the NHL is going to let that stuff go then as abpk said before Sid needs protection. Gretzky had protection. Lemieux had guys like Stevens and Tocchet. If that's the nature of the game then the Pens need to get on board with it and use it as an advantage.

Aoki... what do you mean by "get rid of the luggage?"

[konjo78]

Agreed, but if he keeps getting hammered like he did in the playoffs, with nothing being called, he won't get "better". What happened with protecting your superstars?

That has been one of my 'beef' with hockey for some years now. In the NBA playoffs, they don't let defensive thugs start grabbing and holding Lebron and Durrant during the playoffs. They continue to protect them. In the NFL, they don't all of a sudden allow guys to take shots at the QB's just because it is the playoffs. They continue to protect them. Even in the baseball playoffs, the star pitchers continue to get the benefit of the slightly larger strike zone and the star hitter the benefit of the slightly smaller strike zone.

But in hockey there is this notion that it is playoff hockey and less penalties should be called. The obstruction and interference penalties called in the regular season go undetected in the playoffs. This makes the less skilled players more of a factor and IMO that is ridiculous.

This is what makes watching those sports, especially the NBA, so hard to watch in the playoffs... Way too many fouls and way too much protection of "Superstars".... Its annoying. The NHL just lets every player gets treated equally for every line, the way crosby got hammered this playoff season is how 3rd and 4th liners get pounded all season long. Just because you are a top liner means you shouldn't get any preferential treatment.