GDT: Pens vs Rags, Game 5

[NTP66]

I'm going to be a wreck for the next day just waiting to see if Crosby is even going to be able to play in the next game, let alone the rest of the postseason. I'm glad game 6 is at home, but if we play without him, that's a tough hill to climb.

[FistOfCaufield]

Does this happen in other series, to other teams top guys?

It seems with the penguins, when they are playing well and controlling a series - it's headshot time.

Crosby of course a few times, but we saw some other elbows dished out last night to Jake.

This isn't 1986 anymore, you can't strut around and talk about taking this stuff out of the game, then say "Hey playoff hockey". If you see an elbow thats enough for 2 minutes, make it 5. It's a hit to the head.

If this continues to be the way - you don't need a Ryan Reaves type, they are pointless now, what you need is someone to get the elbow up and hit their top guy high... and a penalty kill to take care of of the 2 minute call that player *might* get.

[RonnieFranchise]

I'll be shocked if Trouba even gets a call for this hit.

[NTP66]

Yeah, zero chance he even gets a call about it.

[dodint]

Like meow said, that opportunity came way too early in the game to be useful.

I’m just cranky because there’s going to be a game 6.

But generally speaking, blowing 5-on-3s, as a rule, annoys me.

Two very strong points.

[Morkle]

Does this happen in other series, to other teams top guys?

It seems with the penguins, when they are playing well and controlling a series - it's headshot time.

Crosby of course a few times, but we saw some other elbows dished out last night to Jake.

This isn't 1986 anymore, you can't strut around and talk about taking this stuff out of the game, then say "Hey playoff hockey". If you see an elbow thats enough for 2 minutes, make it 5. It's a hit to the head.

If this continues to be the way - you don't need a Ryan Reaves type, they are pointless now, what you need is someone to get the elbow up and hit their top guy high... and a penalty kill to take care of of the 2 minute call that player *might* get.

The NHL cares almost zero about player safety or hits to the hit. It's a reality, because they just don't punish to the degree they should *if* they cared about hits to the head.

[stonewizard51]

Does this happen in other series, to other teams top guys?

It seems with the penguins, when they are playing well and controlling a series - it's headshot time.

Crosby of course a few times, but we saw some other elbows dished out last night to Jake.

This isn't 1986 anymore, you can't strut around and talk about taking this stuff out of the game, then say "Hey playoff hockey". If you see an elbow thats enough for 2 minutes, make it 5. It's a hit to the head.

If this continues to be the way - you don't need a Ryan Reaves type, they are pointless now, what you need is someone to get the elbow up and hit their top guy high... and a penalty kill to take care of of the 2 minute call that player *might* get.

The NHL cares almost zero about player safety or hits to the hit. It's a reality, because they just don't punish to the degree they should *if* they cared about hits to the head.

The NHL execs talk out of both sides of their mouths. When they get in front of a camera and say it, it's a pohto op only. Something they do to make the fans feel the NHL is going to stop the BS hits. Crosscheck anyone ?

If the NHL has something in writing they want to publish, I look at it like it's a "fantasy fairytale", meaningless drivel.

And the Refs are nothing special. Call the damn game by the book. Take the whistles out of your pocket and for the love of god please stop pandering to the fans. Reffing to please the fans is not reffing.

[Morkle]

It's why I've come to terms with players like Matt Cooke existing. You can't trust the league to go the right thing, so you have to protect yourself.

[Gaucho]

You need Matt Cooke to protect yourself against Matt Cooke. Sad.

[Morkle]

Having a nuclear weapon is only a deterrent to other teams with a nuclear weapon lol

[FistOfCaufield]

I was in my car for the 5 on 3, but that was an elbow on Jake to start the game.
Zabenijackoff elbowed him again early in the first on a reverse hit that had a very high elbow that connected.
Crosby gets hit in the head...
There were a couple other runs that I didnt' see if they came in high or not

I mean it's all a coincidence I'm sure, but it seems like there was some deliberate targets last night.

Even with all of that - I watched the Penguins shrug it off and skate to a 2-0 lead, until Crosby went out. Even after going down 4-3, the team is still playing sans Malkin - who jumps head first into the shitshow because he can't help himself.

[NTP66]

I think you have to end it in game 6. If this goes back to NY, I don't see them being able to overcome the massive shift in momentum.

[mikey]

Does this happen in other series, to other teams top guys?

Yes.

[willeyeam]

Does this happen in other series, to other teams top guys?

Yes.

fun!

[MR25]

Great league.

[robbiestoupe]

Injuries per TSN:

Bruins: Hampus Lindholm, Jesper Froden, Jakub Zboril
Flames: Sean Monahan, Tyler Parsons
Hurricanes: Jordan Martinook, Frederik Andersen, Jake Gardiner
Avalanche: Darcy Kuemper, Andrew Cogliano, Ryan Murray
Stars: Braden Holtby, Ben Bishop
Oilers: Oscar Klefbom
Panthers: Markus Nutivaara
Kings: Viktor Arvidsson, Drew Doughty, Sean Walker
Wild: None
Predators: None - talk about playing soff
Rangers: Barclay Goodrow, Keith Kinkaid, Tyler Motte, Sammy Blais
Penguins: Dumo, Rakell, DeSmith, Jarry, now Sid
Blues: Marco Scandella, Torey Krug, MacKenzie MacEachern
Lightning: Brent Seabrook
Capitals: Tom Wilson (thank the hockey gods), Carl Hagelin, Joe Snively

I admit I don't watch much hockey outside the Pens. Tom Wilson is a top 6, but he's scum and deserves every injury coming his way. The Stars are having some bad goalie luck, but nothing sustained during the playoffs. The Kings may be the closest to having more impact players out, but both Arvidsson and Doughty were out before the playoffs started.

It appears the Penguins injuries are more star studded than any team right now. And most of the injuries happened in the series, two of them questionable shots to the head.

[Morkle]

I think you have to end it in game 6. If this goes back to NY, I don't see them being able to overcome the massive shift in momentum.

Basically how I feel. I expected NYR to win last night, but now that makes Game 6 a must-win for me coming back home.

[willeyeam]

All good

[nocera]

It's okay. He was going for the puck.

[skullman80]

All good

This league man....I don't get it. I guess there would have been at least a hearing if Trouba got a penalty, but no penalty...no hearing.

Hopefully Malkin doesn't get a hearing, but he did get a penalty so who knows.

[RonnieFranchise]

LeBrun post is confusing but I take it to mean no hearing for Geno either.

[NTP66]

Seravalli's an idiot, so that's not surprising.

[Rx6687]

Sid is obviously the one player the Pens cannot afford to lose. On the other side, Fox is the one guy the Rags could not afford to lose. He makes their whole offense go, and there's nobody else even close to him in that regard. If they were to lose Fox to an injury, it would be devastating to them.

[mikey]

All good

This league man....I don't get it. I guess there would have been at least a hearing if Trouba got a penalty, but no penalty...no hearing.

That's not the case. See: the very most recent suspension the league gave out.

Honestly, I don't know how to feel about this hit...I don't think there's a lot of malicious intent to it, it's obviously a bad result, but it's tough to say it's a suspension for me...

[NTP66]

They didn't even call a penalty on the play.