Lord Stanley

[Lothar]

Thank you David. That looks much better.

This series is going to be about who makes the fewest mistakes and has the fewest lapses in concentration. Both teams will capitalize the poorly played puck.

I did find it interesting how there were so few penalties in such a physical game. There are some glaring no-calls. "Let 'em play" is fine, but at some point it becomes a safety issue. The stuff they are not calling is going to lead to someone getting hurt.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by Lothar

"Let 'em play" is fine, but at some point it becomes a safety issue. The stuff they are not calling is going to lead to someone getting hurt.

This is the NHL, safety is not an issue, and never has been. If were even a remote concern the league would make visors mandatory and ban head shots.

Of you can't stand the heat, watch figure skating.

[Buckterrier]

Malkin finally looke the the NHL's leading scorer. Pretty good game. Looking forward to tomorrow night and Saturday.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by Buckterrier

Malkin finally looked the the NHL's leading scorer.

Finally. Yes, he looked very good, he finally played like he wanted to win.

[Super_Dave_D]

Once again Ward looked good tonight as the Canes drop Boston again. It must be hard to stay sharp and focused when you are facing 4 SOG in the first period

[Buckterrier]

Boy Carolina is really something! And the Penquins won but at a cost. Ovechkin is a great offensive star and a physical presence also. To that you can add a dirty fuch. Purposely drilled Gonchar with his knee. Not sure if it's a knee injury or thigh. Which ever he probably won't be back for tomorrows game.

[89911]

Ovechkin is all about himself. When He can't muster any offense, he goes around and looks for cheap shots in an attempt to get any attention he can. Tell me if that was one of our 3rd liners doing that to him, there wouldln't be more out of it then a 2 minute penalty. I liked him more before I got to see him up close in this series. He deserves what he gets, but the Pens are above that. Maybe they can rent a few Flyers?

[Porsche_monkey]

That hit deserves a suspension. He could have ended Gonchar's career.

The bush league NHL won't follow through though. Star players have their own rules. Suppose Pronger made the same hit. He'd get five games.

[carr914]

Stanley & Me

[AbbyAk]

Totally agree on OV. That knee would have gotten at least a one game suspension to almost anyone else.

I knew it wasn't going to happen though-no way would they suspend OV in the highest profile series they have by far.

Serious blow to Pitt as Gonchar is as good as anyone in the NHL as an offensive threat from the D.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by AbbyAk

Serious blow to Pitt as Gonchar is as good as anyone in the NHL as an offensive threat from the D.

I think they are dead without him. The Penguins were a much much better team down the stretch AFTER Gonchar came back from injury. Not coincidence.

[89911]

Sometimes a loss like that can provide a lot of inspiration. They lost Crosby last year for a month and actually had a better record without him. Gonch was out for the majority of the game last night and the result wasn't bad. Maybe you hockey guys can school me on why a knee to knee hit isn't as damaging to the other player?

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by 89911

Sometimes a loss like that can provide a lot of inspiration. They lost Crosby last year for a month and actually had a better record without him.

Malkin stepped up to prove he was a great player in Crosby's absence. There is no one on D to do that, not that I can think of anyway. Maybe for a short time period they can get by without him, they might still knock Washington off, but I do not believe they can win the cup without Gonchar.

Originally Posted by 89911

Maybe you hockey guys can school me on why a knee to knee hit isn't as damaging to the other player?

I think knee to shin is a better description. Gonchar's knee, OV's shin. Players don't purposely go knee to knee, that's a 50-50 proposition at best. The player doing the hitting is braced, and ready for the hit, the player on the receiving end is caught off guard, is usually off-balance, and does not expect the hit (it is not a normal hockey play).

[Buckterrier]

Great win for the Pens last night!
As far as the hit, Ovechkin's knee was at say a 40 degree angle like a wedge. Gonchar's was pretty much straight. There is where the damage came from, and yes, Ovechkin was ready for the hit and Gonchar was not, dirt, plain and simple. Anyone remember Olf Samuelson's hit on Cam Neely of Boston back in the day? Cost Neely his career basically.
Again on Ovechkin... I guess he's just a goon at heart. What a talented and physical player he is. But because he's dirt I'll become the biggest Bruin/Hurricane fan in the land if the Pens get knocked off.

[911Rob]

shyte!
Our Canucks lost tonight.
It's all over

[exitwound]

What an amazing night for hockey.

My penguins took the shaft in overtime, but man, the Blackhawks STOLE the show. Absolutely amazing games.

[911Rob]

if anyone CAN F it up, the CANfuks can F it up.
Some 'o Same 'o

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by 911Rob

if anyone CAN F it up, the CANfuks can F it up.
Some 'o Same 'o

Lots of 'good' players, no 'stars'. Look at the Hawks. Several stars. The Canucks need to get better. The Sedin's are good, but that is all they are, just good.

[89911]

Pens win. Gonchars back. Life is good! Caps goalie picked a bad night to have his worst game.

[exitwound]

Awesome performance by the Penguins!