Nuff said
congrats to the PENS
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Here here! *raises bottled water*
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I need to preface my statement by saying I am NOT a Pens hater.
While I am a Flyers faithful, I don't hate the Pens, I'm a HUGE Malkin mark, and wanted to see the Pens beat the Sharks.
Congrats to them indeed.
However................
This is why people think sports are fixed.
Crosby is the Conn Smythe winner?
Really?
Not Murray, not Kessel, not even Logan Couture?
He didn't deserve it and only got it because of his name.
Also, I LOVE hearing Bettman get booed out of the building everytime he steps in front of an NHL crowd.
While I am a Flyers faithful, I don't hate the Pens, I'm a HUGE Malkin mark, and wanted to see the Pens beat the Sharks.
Congrats to them indeed.
However................
This is why people think sports are fixed.
Crosby is the Conn Smythe winner?
Really?
Not Murray, not Kessel, not even Logan Couture?
He didn't deserve it and only got it because of his name.
Also, I LOVE hearing Bettman get booed out of the building everytime he steps in front of an NHL crowd.
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Not a Pens guy either but congratulations are definitely in order.
They beat two teams I truly despise in Tampa and SJ.
Enjoy the cup!
They beat two teams I truly despise in Tampa and SJ.
Enjoy the cup!
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Crosby was the best player on the ice for most of the games in the playoffs. IMO, the only other Penguin who had an edge over him was Kessel because of the production, but he never dominated like Crosby did. Murray let up too many soft goals to be under consideration, IMO.
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Crosby did so much for so many in those games that the choice was clear. Kessel a lot, but he didn't call plays, hold onto the puck in the offensive zone for 15 seconds while people set, draw the attention of the opponents away, etc., etc., as Sid did.
It was domination for a guy who gets the game in a deep way.
It was domination for a guy who gets the game in a deep way.
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I dont know Crosbys team and coach think he deserved it and it was a tough call. I think I would have given it to Kessel. Crosby really turned it on in the finals. He was not on the score sheet much, but played great defense and had some amazing puck possession. He looked like the Crosby of 7 years ago. The empty net goal was a great example of Crosbys all around play. He blocked the shot, got the puck, was patient, and sent the pass over to Horny to seal the game.
Murray had a great playoffs, but the team defense and a couple bad games kept him out of the running. He definitely deserves some praise though 6-0 after a loss and he does not get rattled. In game 5 he had a horrible half period giving up three goals, but he shut the door after that and the pens still had a chance.
Murray had a great playoffs, but the team defense and a couple bad games kept him out of the running. He definitely deserves some praise though 6-0 after a loss and he does not get rattled. In game 5 he had a horrible half period giving up three goals, but he shut the door after that and the pens still had a chance.
I wanted Kessel to get the award but can't argue too much with Sid. He had stretches where he dominated - just didn't get the point production you might expect.
Big congratulations to a spunky and plucky group! It was a joy to watch them play this season!
Big congratulations to a spunky and plucky group! It was a joy to watch them play this season!
Come on man..
Crosby was the best 2-way player on the ice for the Pens, especially in the Finals... without a doubt.
Kessel doesn't even want to sniff a battle along the boards..in fact on several occasions I though he purposely shied away from it..
If the Sharks would of won Couture would of got the award. BUT THEY DIDN'T!!
Need to take off those "Flyer fan hates Crosby" goggles man...
You missed a hell of a 2-way effort by a guy who gets pounded game in game out..
Murray was in the running until last game.
I would have loved Kessel getting it, and he would have deserved it.. And it would have been a big **** you to the Maple Leafs, and show how dysfunctional that organization is. Well, it still showed. I digress.
The Pens could have won this series without Kessel, but not Sid. He was the leader, and the example that galvanized this team. He was deserving, and his legacy is assured.
Couture?
In defense of Sid, I truly felt when he was on the ice, they could have scored every time. He was that good all series. He wasn't on the scoring sheet much, but his leadership and consistent play was outstanding. Not to mention, giving it to Sid was an example of the "team" deserving it and he even acknowledged that. All four lines, all three goalies and the entire coaching staff/FO put out a complete effort throughout the PO.
The whole ride from December until yesterday was something special to witness. There were only a few times where my confidence wavered, but for the most part, they were a well-oiled machine and looked unstoppable. Their speed, defense, attention to detail in their own zone, the WBS crew and running four lines is something I will never forget. The 2015-16 Pens are truly special and I am honored to have witnessed this Championship. I haven't been this proud since 2009 for their 3rd Cup and the Steelers beating AZ in the SB. Pittsburgh Proud!
The whole ride from December until yesterday was something special to witness. There were only a few times where my confidence wavered, but for the most part, they were a well-oiled machine and looked unstoppable. Their speed, defense, attention to detail in their own zone, the WBS crew and running four lines is something I will never forget. The 2015-16 Pens are truly special and I am honored to have witnessed this Championship. I haven't been this proud since 2009 for their 3rd Cup and the Steelers beating AZ in the SB. Pittsburgh Proud!
Way to go Pens! Who would of thought we had a shot back in December when we were the 12th best team in the East? This playoff run was special. It was from behind and out of nowhere, much like the Steelers 05 run. What made it even better is that the Pens got to go through the Caps to get there. From that series on, I believe they were only outshot and out chanced in one game. It baffles me how TB got to 7 game, and had 2 chances to eliminate the Pens, but that is where they showed their true muster. Backs against the wall, they got it done. Every line played hard, every winger worked the boards, every center possessed the puck. Our depth was a playoff nightmare. Much like the advantage the old Colorado teams had with 3 lines in the 90s, this team was deep. No one could match up with our third line, sometimes putting their second or first lines against it, only to have the mismatch on lines 1 and 2 run rampant. Then our 4th line was also a problem, as no one had the depth or speed to keep up with Fehr, Kunackle (sp), and Cullen's leadership. 4 lines of hard skating speed that never quit. They deserved this championship.
Also the point on Crosby, that all my Flyers fans miss. First off calling him a cry baby to the refs, speaks to the lack of hockey knowledge of the hockey "fan". He's the captain, it is his JOB to talk and argue with the refs to gain clarification over any call he views. That's what the C on his chest is for. Second, though his style of arguing may have seemed immature when he was 19, he's now a decade older, and people holding on to those words are casual hockey fans or jaded hockey fans. Philly is full of em. I know, because I still play hockey there. Now you want to see a difference between Crosby from 10 years ago and Crosby today? How about the crosscheck he took to the mouth from TB. He didn't complain, he didn't make eye contact, he stood back up and continued to play. That Crosby didn't exist 10 years ago. His temper is 100% under his control, and he will never take an emotional penalty to hurt his team. This makes him more dangerous because, it limits PPs, it keeps him on the ice, and it sets the example for the rest of the team. If your captain can take a shot to the face and not lose his cool, you better not let your emotions get the best of you either. Other than Letang's hit against the Caps, there was no instance where an emotional player hurt the team's chance to win. If you're not beating yourself, you are winning more often than losing in hockey, and this team did not beat itself.
Lastly I can see the argument for Kessel to win the Conn Smythe, and honestly, I wouldn't have batted an eye if he did. He was a big part of the production of our best line in the playoffs. I think if he had a couple more goals, he would have won it, but he missed a lot of open opportunities, that I expect him to make. He hits a couple of those empty nets and moving goaltenders, and it's a different story. I will say this, I gained a new appreciation for Crosby, and wear his jersey proudly in Philly, because of what he can do with the puck on his stick. He is the ultimate puck possessor. Not only is it very difficult to get the puck off of his stick, but he also knows where everyone is on the ice while he's doing it, creating mismatches and odd man opportunities on the other side of the ice, just by casually delivering a backhand no look pass to the opposite slot. He also won faceoffs at a significant clip. 60-70% wins were not unheard of for his playoff games. He was so good at taking faceoffs, that the other team accused him of cheating. As soon as that happened, the Sharks lost their ability to compete for the cup. He was in their heads, and they were not only playing against the Penguins, but they were also playing against the idea of unfairness, which didn't exist outside of the Shark's locker room.
Kudos Pens, for a very memorable and rewarding playoff run. Though the Sharks have the best beards in the league, the Pens each get to enjoy their day with Lord Stanley's cup!
Also the point on Crosby, that all my Flyers fans miss. First off calling him a cry baby to the refs, speaks to the lack of hockey knowledge of the hockey "fan". He's the captain, it is his JOB to talk and argue with the refs to gain clarification over any call he views. That's what the C on his chest is for. Second, though his style of arguing may have seemed immature when he was 19, he's now a decade older, and people holding on to those words are casual hockey fans or jaded hockey fans. Philly is full of em. I know, because I still play hockey there. Now you want to see a difference between Crosby from 10 years ago and Crosby today? How about the crosscheck he took to the mouth from TB. He didn't complain, he didn't make eye contact, he stood back up and continued to play. That Crosby didn't exist 10 years ago. His temper is 100% under his control, and he will never take an emotional penalty to hurt his team. This makes him more dangerous because, it limits PPs, it keeps him on the ice, and it sets the example for the rest of the team. If your captain can take a shot to the face and not lose his cool, you better not let your emotions get the best of you either. Other than Letang's hit against the Caps, there was no instance where an emotional player hurt the team's chance to win. If you're not beating yourself, you are winning more often than losing in hockey, and this team did not beat itself.
Lastly I can see the argument for Kessel to win the Conn Smythe, and honestly, I wouldn't have batted an eye if he did. He was a big part of the production of our best line in the playoffs. I think if he had a couple more goals, he would have won it, but he missed a lot of open opportunities, that I expect him to make. He hits a couple of those empty nets and moving goaltenders, and it's a different story. I will say this, I gained a new appreciation for Crosby, and wear his jersey proudly in Philly, because of what he can do with the puck on his stick. He is the ultimate puck possessor. Not only is it very difficult to get the puck off of his stick, but he also knows where everyone is on the ice while he's doing it, creating mismatches and odd man opportunities on the other side of the ice, just by casually delivering a backhand no look pass to the opposite slot. He also won faceoffs at a significant clip. 60-70% wins were not unheard of for his playoff games. He was so good at taking faceoffs, that the other team accused him of cheating. As soon as that happened, the Sharks lost their ability to compete for the cup. He was in their heads, and they were not only playing against the Penguins, but they were also playing against the idea of unfairness, which didn't exist outside of the Shark's locker room.
Kudos Pens, for a very memorable and rewarding playoff run. Though the Sharks have the best beards in the league, the Pens each get to enjoy their day with Lord Stanley's cup!