Mad Dog

I am certainly not a mind reader, but I think the Pens felt all along they were a better team. They know full well, I am sure, that they were outplayed in the first 3 games, hence the frustration at the end of Game 3. Yet, they also know the Flyers allowed 4 goals per game in the thirst 3 games, while still ending up winning. I *do* think they are just waking up. I don't know for how much longer Couturier can continue containing Malkin. And I am saying that with full admiration for what Couturier has accomplished. I don't know for how much longer we can get away with falling behind and winning. I don't know for how much longer we can afford blowing coverage, not taking body, and playing an absolutely disgusting team D and keep winning. I don't know for how much longer our beyond terrible goaltending will not cost us games in the playoffs (well, it did in the Game 4, but the entire team mailed it in). Don't you think the Pens players and their coach know that? Look. If we were up 3 games to none and played at *least* a decent team defense, I would say the Flyers have full command of the series. But we both know that's not the case. Our depth bailed us out in the 3 games. But the playoffs are won with goaltending and defense, none of which we have right now. And we better hope Grossman is not out with concussion for a long time, because as bad as our defense is, he is one player who at least *tries* to provide steady presence. If not, we are stuck with Lilja and Kubina, both of whom have been a disaster. I don't mean to be panicking, but there is every reason to be concerned.

@SpikeDDS Not being from this area, I am afraid you won't undertsand the frustration. Your team has won what..... 4 cups in the last 12 years? The Flyers haven't won since Jim Carter was in the Whitehouse. And every year there is something new with this team. If it's not injuries, it's bad goaltending. If not bad goaltending, it's terrible coaching. EVERY FRICKING YEAR. We better get out of the 1st round......that's all I can say.

If it's his foot, then why even let him start? I don't understand this. What are hoping to accomplish by starting an injured goalie?

Totally sucks. This means we are stuck with the dreks like Lilja and Kubina.

Both the defense and goaltending deserve to be crucified. I don't recall the Flyers defense being that bad in a long time. And it's not even specific individuals you can pick apart. The whole team D has been substandard all year long, and I am holding the coach responsible for that. I know I am probably in the minority, but I simply don't subscribe into this coach's system. The Pens have been atroceous in the first 3 games and that's the only reason we are leading in this series while allowing an average of 4.75 goals per game. That's unheard of. You can never EVER win a playoff series with such a dismal GAA. Bryzgalov deserves a special mentioning. I can't even be mad at him anymore.

@orange_crush I don't know if he is "losing his mind", to be honest. I think he is just used to things handed to him on a golden platter. He used to everybody cater to him from his days in colleague to the NHL. And now he is a part of a team - a captain of the team - that's getting totally humiliated and overplayed in all aspects of the game. I honestly think he is just frustrated - nothing more, nothing less.

What change? He was always a spoiled, egotistical, in love with himself punk. Nothing new, really.

He *was* terrible so far. I am sure the Pens feel cheated and disappointed with this guy. When he just began his career, I thought he was going to become a consummate star in this league for sure. He had all the ingredients needed to be a smooth skating, smart d-man, who was going to be effective in both ends of the ice. He is not an exception, of course, of a rather large bunch of players who refused to work hard to make in in the NHL. The Devils ran out of patience with this guy, and I think the Pens will eventually too.

Did anybody watch tonight's game? Obvioulsy, the Flyers are no longer the only team that can come back from a 3 goals deficit. The Devils started the game with a statement and scored quick three goals, I believe during the first 10 minutes, chased Theodore out of the net, and really looked poised for an easy victory. Instead, they ended up losing 3:4, looking quite hapless in the process. Among many observations, Brian Cambell looked quite impressive. Brodeur looked bad and was pulled, by the way... I am actually pulling for the Devils a little, because as long as at least one of the teams who finished below us in the standings win, we won't have to face the Rangers. So it will be interesting to see what happens in this series, but the Devils looked stunned as teh game was winding down.

Hahahahaha........ Man, this is great. They didn't even lose yet. Imagine his reaction when it all comes to an end and they *do* finally lose.

I hear what you are saying; the history tells us it's possible to have 2 first fiddles if you have right personnel and right coaching staff. Messier and Gretzky won the Cup together. Sakic and Forsberg played well together and won. Clarke and Leach did it. I am sure I am missing tons of other examples. Problem is, I don't know if Crosby is the right player - the player who can co-exist with another superstar. He has plenty of growing up to do and sharing the spotlight (or ice time) with another good player is not something he may be comfortable with a this point in his career. He doesn't strike me as a team person. I really feel he wants to have a full control of the team and be treated as a royal prince. In that case, it may be in everybody's best interest (Crosby, Malkin and the Pens) to move one of their superstars out and build the team around whoever they choose to keep. Ordinarily, having more superstars on the team is actually to the benefit of the team. In this case, might not be so much.

The guy has written similar nonsense many times before. He has no credibility, even amongst Pittsburgh's own sports writers.

I am hearing that Shannahan is a NHL's puppet and does what people above him tell to do. Shameful and disgusting, if you ask me... I heard Colin Cambell at least *tried* to make his own decisions and Shanny just rolls over...

Did they actually say that?? Only 25? Sheesh.... The average age of people who were fighting in the WW2 was 24. I just think if he didn't get it still, he will never get it.

I would love to hear what Mario thinks about all this. I sure hope he doesn't endorse that, although I've gotta say: it wouldn't shock me. What has happened yesterday was an absolute, total insult to the league and embarrassment to the game of hockey. I just can't imagine any NHL figure watching that disgrace and not spitting in disgust. The Pittsburgh Penguins, as an organization, need to issue a statement and apologize to the whole league. Anything short of that would tell me they don't see anything wrong with what happened.

The Flyers have too much class to lower themselves to the level of Pittsburgh. Instead, during the handhsake, the team's captain (or alternative captains, since Pornger is out), should shake Crosby's hand and say, "You didn't deserve to wear a uniform of the NHL team".... and just skate away.

And this joke of a coach Bylsma deserves a separate hearing. There is no way the players would act the way they acted if he didn't push the right bottoms. And then he has a nerve to sit there after the game and say something like "we try to stay away form that extra-curriculum stuff". Are you effin' kidding me? Are you trying to tell us you had nothing to do with that? Who is going to believe that BS? He sent his men to injure someone. The guy should be suspened from coaching.

Given the score in the game *and* the series, and how utterly pathetic the Pens have looked in the entire series, doesn't he realize how big of an idiot he is making of himself by doing that? I guess not.

Something else to think about........... For all the never-ending crying about Scott Stevens' "headshots" and other nonsense... THINK AGAIN! At least Stevens was man enough to act within the rules. None of his hits were penalties. One can debate te ethical part of his actions, but that's sort of neither here or there. I don't recall Stevens ever doing anything remotely as classless and gutless as this Pittsburgh team is doing. It's unfortunate that his hits gave people concussions, but he never, to my recollection, resorted to scummy plays like we saw today. He played like a man and I will always respect him for that. Kinda makes you look at things from a slightly different angle. Today's game has amplified - at least to me - the difference between TOUGH and DIRTY.

And that non-penalty was a sheer display of incompetence. The ref should have lost his job - pure and simple. If I make a p[rofesisonal mistake, I am gone next morning. This is no different. And that's a travesty rigfht there.

I hope Mario, the King of Whiners, is happy with his little apprentice. That entire team has hit a rock bottom today. A total embarrassment to the game and professional sport in general.

Nah. Only one of those countless many who got fed up with a superstar who has been treated with a sense of entitlement since he entered the league.

Those are called by the refs in the field. Let's just see what the league, as an ultimate authority, will decide when watching the tape...

Not much to add to that, Andy. Whatever little respect I had for that team is gone. If you lose, at least go down with class, dignity and grace. From their coach to their league-coddled and overly protected superstar, this was plain GUTLESS. What we witnessed today was an utter disgrace to teh game of hockey. I never wish harm on anybody, but it's too bad the concussion didn't end Crosby's career. One day he'll get his; I am sure of that.

Let the Rangers handle Ottawa first. The Sens just tied the series.