OFFICIAL: 2011-2012 NHL Thread

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

As for not backing down, you couldn't be more wrong.

i didnt catch the whole game, ok so 1 time in a hugely scrappy game.

Worth noting as Don Cherry pointed out last night that the 7:10 incident was Hartnell holding his stick, and Crosby getting him to let go.

The Crosby hating is really getting old. It's gone beyond popular ribbing to an obnoxious level of noise that's really only there because he's that good at getting points on the board, and people have to find something to criticize. His first couple seasons in the NHL out of junior hockey were definitely full of whining and diving, but he toughened up a fair bit on his way to the cup. Since then, he's been legitimately injured and is justifiably more pragmatic when it comes to when and when not to jump in.

I do also think though that the altercations in this series are getting ridiculous. Pittsburgh is letting Philly into their heads. They're playing Philly's game and losing at it. Tone it down, and I think there'll at least be a Game 5. Don't, and they've done it to themselves.

it's been old, but that's all that philly fans have. it's the same garbage that caps fans spewed when ovie was playing well.

pittsburgh is playing this awful hockey, embarrassing us fans, lemieux and the city. now i know how Flyers fans have felt the past 40 years

I really try not to hate on Sid, but I'm sick of the NBC Sports/ ESPN love triangle with him. I have no problem saying that he is absolutely was the best player in the league. But I'm sorry when he said after his second return this year that he would not get involved in anything after the whistle. He takes up playing dirty and expects not to answer to it. Its not about him getting points at all, its about him being a hypocrite and he doesn't own up to his actions. If he is willing to play like this he needs to drop the gloves and face reality.

then i trust you've heard the same knobgobbling of Giroux by the very commentators who have done it to Crosby?

he did. with giroux

you want him to go toe-to-toe with rinaldo or something? would briere take on asham? lets not be silly.

cbc tends to fluff him too. I can't stand it.

with all that said, none of us are in his head when he's down by 3 goals and frustrated as hell.

I know he did with G. But i want them to actually go at it not that 2 punch fall down garbage.

neither of them are fighters. those fights aren't fun to watch. if you want a good scrap, look elsewhere.

forget concussions, if giroux or crosby broke a wrist fighting... they might end up like lecavalier.

which is why they need to knock off that crap and let macintyre and engelland clean it up

This is a joke post, right? 506 cleared that one up.

it cleared it up with 1 instance. hilarious.

He deserves all of it. If you want to be seen as a respectable NHL leading forward, then act like it. Sure, people are going to "hate" because he's good. It's like that way with anyone of them. Ovi, Stamkos, Gaborik, blah, blah, blah. I don't intend to start a dick measuring contest, I just think that the criticism is justified. Especially with the slapping the glove move and his idiotic response saying that he did it because he doesn't like him. Really?? There's plenty of bad blood in the NHL, but that's just poor sportsmanship.

disagree but you're entitled to your opinion

That was merely a middle school girl slap-fight, thanks to Sid crying to the officials. If G got a hold of him, it would be over, along with his post season.

rightttt... because Giroux is a well-seasoned fighter. and if sid got ahold of him and ended his season, it would be a whole other issue.

Where i tend to agree that is where most of the issue is, but alot of these goals are off rebounds, where as Bryz and Fleury both need to up their rebound/puck control, the defense needs to step up and clear their zone, block shots, and not allow so many shooting lanes.

So yes DEFENSE for both the Pens and the Flyers sucks not just the net minders

agree 100%



want to talk about a joke post:

missioncirca
No player makes me blood boil the way Crosby does. The diving, the preferential treatment, the comparisons to Gretzky, etc. He's an incredible goal scorer, but he's NOTHING without Evgeni. Malkin, Ovi, Stamkos and Datsyuk are 10x the player he is.

he's as close to Gretzky as any current player. Malkin is the same to Lemieux. you saying he is nothing without Malkin shows that you've never watched a penguins game. each of them are better with solid wingers than with each other. but that's another discussion.

ovechkin is not 10x the player of even Craig Adams . Stamkos, very impressive goal scorer, although i seem to remember a high number of open netters last scoring title. Datsyuk, what 4 selke trophies? great player, but a different type of player.

[zrace07]

disagree but you're entitled to your opinion

Let's read your rebuttal.

rightttt... because Giroux is a well-seasoned fighter. and if sid got ahold of him and ended his season, it would be a whole other issue.

Ha, not even going to waste the keystrokes on that comment. Truth is, Pens are down 3-0. The Flyers have them beat at their own game. Maybe call Bylsma and tell him and his players to keep their heads, and maybe they'll take one without several fines and suspensions.

Until then...

[Heathcliff Huxtable]

Let's read your rebuttal.



Ha, not even going to waste the keystrokes on that comment. Truth is, Pens are down 3-0. The Flyers have them beat at their own game. Maybe call Bylsma and tell him and his players to keep their heads, and maybe they'll take one without several fines and suspensions.

Until then...

i dont get it. you implied that Giroux is some sort of fighter that if he landed some monster bomb then Crosby would be out. in your eyes that is fine. but, if Crosby did that, he'd be a dirty player, disgrace to the league, the refs let him get away with it, blah blah blah

surprised you never mention diva briere crying to the media that vitale was picking on him last game of the season. that he shouldnt single him out and hit him. talk about a *****. but crosby's the only whiner in the league

yes, the pens are down 3-0. it sucks. it's embarrassing watching them play the **** goon game that the flyers played for the past 40 years (that you all are for some reason proud of). with mediocre defense and weak goaltending on both sides, the flyers are playing smart, while the pens are losing their minds.

[the brit]

This years Pittsburgh team is NOTHING like the entire last 40 years of Flyers hockey. What a stupid statement.

i didnt catch the whole game

[lostmypassword]

Man I love the playoffs so unpredictable.

Canucks, Pens, and Wings all down by 3 games

Blackhawks down in the series, and it won't be good if they lose Hossa.

I will be damn happy when the Pens are out so everyone can stop talking about the whole Crosby thing.

[Mike!]

I should mention that given the choice between Philly and Chicago a couple years ago, I was definitely rooting for Philly. The way things are heading this year, I'd have a hard time rooting for Philly in any series, even over the Red Wings or Hawks again

[spoonie]

Hoping to pull the broom out and use it twice tonight.

[lostmypassword]

I think the poll should have an option for both.

[zrace07]

i dont get it. you implied that Giroux is some sort of fighter that if he landed some monster bomb then Crosby would be out. in your eyes that is fine. but, if Crosby did that, he'd be a dirty player, disgrace to the league, the refs let him get away with it, blah blah blah

I never said he was a fighter. I said he would win.

Claude has 10 career fights to Crosby's 6. Not that it's a staggering lead, but he still has more "experience". When two players fight, there isn't really finger pointing, I'm not sure where you're getting that from.

surprised you never mention diva briere crying to the media that vitale was picking on him last game of the season. that he shouldnt single him out and hit him. talk about a *****. but crosby's the only whiner in the league

I never said Crosby was the only whiner in the league. You must have me confused with the general hockey fan population. Vitale landed a big one on Briere, no doubt. Did he instigate, or do anything to deserve it? No. It's hockey.

Here's your boy whining about hats being thrown after a three banger.

???? goon game that the flyers played for the past 40 years (that you all are for some reason proud of)

Because that same game uplifted an entire city's spirit back in the '70's. You should educate yourself on the story of the Broad Street Bullies. It's actually quite good. Sure, I've been disappointed the past few years with no cup, but life goes on. You still have yet to tell me why Crosby doesn't deserve the negative treatment.

This years Pittsburgh team is NOTHING like the entire last 40 years of Flyers hockey. What a stupid statement.

This is very true.

[Cousin Eddie]

x2

Any of you dubbin' haters play NHL '12?

I play it pretty much every night (late, like 11pm-1am) on PS3.

it's embarrassing watching them play the **** goon game that the flyers played for the past 40 years (that you all are for some reason proud of).

Because contrary to what all you fancy-pants figure skater loving fans want to think THAT is what hockey is. It's a physical game that is more often won with brute force and muscle than dekes and dangles.

Get over it. That's why there are so many fans that dislike all the fast little goal scorers that whine every chance they get.

Most guys who actually PLAY the game of hockey relate to the real players who muscle their way through it rather than the elite goal scorers. Fans who don't play just want to be entertained by fancy bull****. That game Sunday afternoon between the Pens and Flyers was one of the best games i've ever watched. Why? Because there was so much intensity. That is what makes playoff hockey great. You can see they want it so bad, the frustration.

[zrace07]

I play it pretty much every night (late, like 11pm-1am) on PS3.

Damnit, I'm on 360.

Most guys who actually PLAY the game of hockey relate to the real players who muscle their way through it rather than the elite goal scorers.

I didn't think of it that way, it's so true...

[Marshmallow Man]

This is the most insane first round I can remember

Hopefully Hossas not hurt too bad, reports talk about his results from Norhtwestern Hospital being "encouraging" We'll see what kind of light Shanahan sees his Coyotes and Torres in. Reports of 5-10 games minimum

Phoenix Announcer "One of the cleanest hits that they've seen"

http://www.sportsnet.ca/video/latest...tretchered-off

While I'm upset Shaw is suspended, I suppose I see why some disciplinary action was needed but I know he didn't mean to hit Smith. Speaking of Smith....Crawford looked like he wanted a piece of him last night

[skevo]

If you are the Pens who are you starting in net tonight? Wonder if they will go with Fleury...

[spoonie]

i just want a goalie fight in the first round, is all.

too much to ask?

If its in a pens game, hoo boy, put johnson in net!

[Cousin Eddie]

i just want a goalie fight in the first round, is all.

too much to ask?

If its in a pens game, hoo boy, put johnson in net!

Got close there last night in the Chicago/Phoenix game.

[the brit]

Pens Michalek and Martin possibly both out with injuries.

[missioncirca]

want to talk about a joke post:



he's as close to Gretzky as any current player. Malkin is the same to Lemieux. you saying he is nothing without Malkin shows that you've never watched a penguins game. each of them are better with solid wingers than with each other. but that's another discussion.

ovechkin is not 10x the player of even Craig Adams . Stamkos, very impressive goal scorer, although i seem to remember a high number of open netters last scoring title. Datsyuk, what 4 selke trophies? great player, but a different type of player.

Please. You seem to be mixing up Stamkos with Crosby. Stamkos not only lights the lamp consistently, but he creates for everyone around him. Crosby is what we call in a soccer a goal "poacher". Waits for a gorgeous pass then can bury it. Doesn't do much of the work himself.

I hate the Caps and Ovi seems like kind of a dick, but if anyone in today's game could compare with Gretzky, it's him. Ovi does it all: pass, score, backcheck, forecheck, hit, and can puckhandle like crazy. He's so much more of a complete player than Crosby will ever be.

Not even to mention the difference in demeanor. Maybe if Sid stops whining all the time he'll get more respect and be a better leader and player. Until then, he's just a poster boy who's not living up to expectations.

[the brit]

Ovi does it all: pass, score, backcheck, forecheck, hit, and can puckhandle like crazy. He's so much more of a complete player than Crosby will ever be.

Power Forward!

I like Ovi for that a lot. Some of my favourite players of the last decade(s) are Roenick (starting in Chicago in the 90s) and Primeau (Flyers). Guys that can lift a team onto their backs during playoffs, and they'll hit, fight and score when they and their team needs to.

That is why Crosby has never been on my personal list of liked players.. He may have the C on his jersey, but doesn't lead in the 'hockey' way that I love to see.

[ThreadBomber]

Absolute hilarity to see Quennville's reaction and comments after the Hossa/Torres hit, compared to his comments after the Sedin/Keith elbow. Hipocrisy at it's finest .

I think Torres will get the book thrown at him though.

[spoonie]

awesome.

http://vansunsportsblogs.com/2012/04...mbleweed-gifs/


esp. doughty at 0:27

[VWVan]

awesome.

http://vansunsportsblogs.com/2012/04...mbleweed-gifs/


esp. doughty at 0:27

hahahaha I love the gifs

Schneider gets the start for Van tonight.

[Marshmallow Man]

Absolute hilarity to see Quennville's reaction and comments after the Hossa/Torres hit, compared to his comments after the Sedin/Keith elbow. Hipocrisy at it's finest .

I think Torres will get the book thrown at him though.

well considering this happened first....

[zrace07]

Those .GIF's were hilarious!

[ThreadBomber]

well considering this happened first....

What does this have to do with Quenville's comments? Some would say this makes what Keith did worse because it was pre-meditated.

[Adam@CheckeredFlagVW]

The entertainment value of the pens and flyers series is very high....I think they are close to a hundred goals in four games...geez!!


Sent from my iPhone....Go Blue

[Bains]

Most guys who actually PLAY the game of hockey relate to the real players who muscle their way through it rather than the elite goal scorers.

Well thats because most guys that play hockey here were just highschool stars and that's it lol you get left out so you appreciate guys you played similar to, not guys that resulted in the end of your hockey ambitions

i think everyone in this thread is getting super testy now

[BlckBadged_SwissChee]

i think everyone in this thread is getting super testy now

No doubt..just like the playoffs, we need a mod to start handing out penalty minutes :p

Loving the penguins sending another playerto the penalty box every 15 seconds right now. Allowing the Flyers to fricken tee off on Fluery, feel even worse for him now. Enjoy seeing the rest of the penguins on the ice face down completely destroyed though.

[BlckBadged_SwissChee]

Ha ha wtf...this game should just be played without goelies.

[steveo27]

this game should just be played without goelies.

Or refs. Since they are clearly watching another game...

[VR6GTI72]

This game is bananas.

[DUSlider]

The Flyers team of games 1-3 is MIA so far in game 4...

[EdRacer71]

4-3 after 1?? jeez...

[Adam@CheckeredFlagVW]

Uhhh nine goals


Sent from my iPhone....Go Blue

[steveo27]

Classless

[skevo]

9-3 and still a period left. Good times!