Great Start to Game 6

Off to a good start. 😳 #RGCL #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/ZrY2FWsx6V

— Rogers NHL GCL (@RogersNHLGCL) June 13, 2016

Thoughts on this one?

College Hockey's Influence on the NHL's Scoring Race

2015-16 NHL Leaders Points
1.	Patrick Kane	106
2.	Jamie Benn	89
3.	Sidney Crosby	85
4.	Erik Karlsson	82
	Joe Thornton	82
6.	John Gaudreau	78
	Joe Pavelski	78
	Blake Wheeler	78
9.	Evgeny Kuznetsov	77
	Artemi Panarin	77

While I was perusing some NHL hockey stats at hockey reference, I didn’t realize that three of the top-10 scorers in the NHL had college hockey experience. I guess that seems about right since 31% of the NHL's players comes from college hockey. Looking at the top-10, we have a Minnesota Gopher, a Wisconsin Badger, and a Boston College Eagle. I also find it interesting that they all finished with 78 points. 

What's even more remarkable is that Johnny Gaudreau has only been in the NHL for just over two seasons. This past season, he scored almost a point a game. In 79 games, Gaudreau scored 30 goals and 78 points. 

The Letang Hit from a Pengiuns Fan's Perspective

I don't even know why he got interference. Provably just because it looked like a serious injury. https://t.co/MrLHeCIvsu

— Tough Call (@ToughCallBlog) May 3, 2016

This is a different way of looking at the Penguins defenseman Kris Letang hit on Capitals forward Marcus Johansson. Talk about living in denial. I am not shocked, though. It's tough to look through an objective lens when a player on your favorite team could face a suspension.

Was it a head shot? Nope. He targeted the chest. If anything, Johansson’s head hit Letang’s name bar because it was behind Letang’s shoulder. Was it an elbow? Not a chance. A charge? Less than two strides. Late? .64 seconds? I think the .04 is covered by the two minute penalty by the on ice official. But it was a violent, open ice hit! A guy was hurt! It was so fast! That can’t be allowed! That can’t be a hockey play! The only way to stop hits like his from happening is to ban hitting. Sorry folks. You’ve. Got. Nothing. (Tough Call)

I wonder how the author would feel if Brooks Orpik had laid this hit on Sidney Crosby? I am sure that his perspective would be different. I think the problem in the NHL is there's no respect among the players anymore. Eventually, we're going to get this right.

Letang could face discipline after late hit on Johansson. MORE: https://t.co/g0uxAkSyyK pic.twitter.com/2WZaCabjdt

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 3, 2016

Dave Hodge: Thumbs down to discipline disconnect

First, this article says what a lot of fans have been saying for a very long time, in all levels of hockey. I have begun to refer to this as blow the f'n whistle.

If you monitor social media this is a reoccurring theme, nightly. The refs aren't calling the game of hockey by the book. When fans say it, they're just blind homers.

That being said, someone needed to say it. What gives it credibility; someone from a major  sports channel in Canada put it to print. And now it's out there.

After the NHL lockout of 2004-05, the refs were calling stick penalties and the obstruction. Now, the refs have basically declined back to the days of the clutching and grabbing up and down the ice. No wonder Sidney Crosby can't score, he has two guys in his hockey pants.

Dave Hodge, TSN -- According to the league, the refs aren't making the proper calls.

Corrections made after the fact do nothing to satisfy the teams that deserved better during the game.

Where video review and coach challenges are concerned, it's all about transparency and getting the calls right, but that's not the case with penalty calls. It should be.

Apart from addressing the need to show that the refs and their overseers are working from the same rulebook, the NHL should treat all calls by officials the same way. If the legality of goals can be determined by video and not by the refs' eyes, if coaches can challenge the failure to call goalie interference and offside, hits such as those delivered by Sill and Johansson should be subject to review on the spot, and proper penalties and power plays awarded.

It's too late the following day. And it's too late to make the argument that the refs' judgment needs to be respected. It isn't anymore.

For those wondering who Dave Hodge is, he's been with TSN.CA since 1992.

Thumbs down from @TSNDaveHodge to the NHL's discipline disconnect. READ: https://t.co/rnzXRlfVUK pic.twitter.com/DyHbhQDcZD

— TSN Hockey (@TSNHockey) January 9, 2016

While we're on the subject of officials and off-ice officials. Zeke from the Hockey Writers also addresses the Department of Player Safety and their lack of consistency.

The NHL DPS comes out a loser. Whatever credibility they might have gained from going after Torres was short-lived. That credibility was lost by a failure, a chronic failure, to enforce player safety in a broader way with any real sense of diligence. For example, the opening night head-butt by Dustin Brown on Logan Couture in the video clip below drew nothing from the DPS. The list of offenses that DPS has managed to ignore is ridiculous. If someone attempted to compile a list of the top ten offenses the DPS ignored, they be swamped by the available material. The only player that needs to fear a harsh reaction from the DPS is Raffi Torres. That sort of hypocrisy not only hurts the game, it insures the DPS has no credibility in the eyes of the people it must be credible to – the players.

Sidney Crosby Knees Brad Marchand

Pittsburg Pengiuns forward Sidney Crosby was given a two-minute minor for kneeing Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand. Thoughts?

Why Is Sidney Crosby One of the 3 Most Hated Stars in the NHL?

I ran across this article on the Score today. After reading it, I started thinking, why is Sidney Crosby so hated?

Sidney Crosby

Any player widely regarded as the best in his or her sport is going to attract the slings and arrows of critics, but Crosby just makes it so easy on his detractors. Sid the Kid was labeled a whiner not long after breaking into the league, and it's a label he's never been able to shake.

He's also gained the reputation as a flopper, which only adds to the frustration of his NHL brethren given Crosby's own extracurriculars are often overlooked.

Related: 3 younglings ready to become masters of the NHL

After a few years of early-round playoff exits, even the fans in Pittsburgh are beginning to turn on Crosby, wondering if the keys to the franchise should be taken away from him, or even if he should be shipped out of town while he can still fetch a significant return.

One of my friends is a staunch Pittsburgh Penguins fans and recently, I told him that the Pens don't seem to not get the calls that other teams get. During the 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, fans were wondering why Crosby was not scoring as much? I told someone it's hard to score when you have an opposition player draped all over you. I also believe that Crosby takes a fair amount of cheap shots because he is one of the best in the NHL.

Finally, I think that his reputation that he earned in his earlier years is still following him around like a set of cheap luggage.

Updated: Brandon Dubinsky Will have a Hearing for Dirty Cross Check on Sidney Crosby

There's no defending this bush league cross check by Columbus Bluejackets forward Brandon Dubinsky. I mean seriously, Dubinsky tries to remove Sidney Crosby's head from his body. This dirty hit is worthy of a suspension. If you're a fan of the NHL, there's a chance you're embarrassed that  Dubinsky was only given a two-minute minor for this egregious act of violence. Now will the league step up?

Just for the record, I am not a fan of the Penguins, but I don't want to see the league's superstars knocked out of the game by a senseless, dirty, boneheaded hit.

Wow. Cross Check to the back of Crosby's neck from Brandon Dubinsky gets just a 2 minute penalty. Playoff atmosphere in Columbus tonight.

— John Buccigross (@Buccigross) November 28, 2015

Dubinsky will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Players safety.

Brandon Dubinsky: Will have a hearing with the league regarding his actions in the most rece... https://t.co/VMyqNEGuZ8 #nhl #CBJ

— Left Wing Lock (@Left_Wing_Lock) November 28, 2015

Apparently, former NHL goon Matthew Barnaby didn't think that Dubinsky's cross check warrants a suspension. Wait, what?

The only suspension questionable is one to neck. And not bad at all. 2nd cross check is not suspension. No way no how. We'll discuss Monday

— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) November 28, 2015

NHL might suspend Dubinsky. I don't think he deserves it all. There was Zero force. Just my opinion. Comes down to their opinion

— Matthew Barnaby (@MattBarnaby3636) November 28, 2015

It's Hard Being Phil Kessel

I have been watching the Phil Kessel trade unfold in the media the last couple of weeks and it's been interesting.

During my lifetime, I have not seen a player receive so much negative press. In fact, some of the stuff that has been written about him is downright malicious.

Here's some of the stuff that's caught my eye since Kessel was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

After all he's been through, Kessel enjoyed his time in Toronto.

“Toronto was a place I loved, and it’s not easy leaving that, even with everything else,” he told writer Dejan Kovacevic. “That’s the first thought. And then after that, I just see (Wednesday’s trade) as a great opportunity to be part of something special in Pittsburgh with some great players. I’m excited.” (Lance Hornby, Toronto Sun)

Questions about Kessel's weight never seem to subside. Apparently, the hot dog vendor in his neighborhood is going to miss him.  Per self-proclaimed Kessel hater Steve Simmons:

The hot dog vendor who parks daily at Front and John Sts. just lost his most reliable customer.

Almost every afternoon at 2:30 p.m., often wearing a toque, Phil Kessel would wander from his neighbourhood condominium to consume his daily snack.

And now he’s gone. Just like that. The Maple Leafs could no longer stomach having Kessel around, the first player to be both punished and rewarded for the saddest Leafs season in history.

Another Toronto Sun writer thought it was time for Kessel to leave.

OK, let’s be clear, I’m not defending Phil Kessel, who was traded by the Maple Leafs to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday.

People who are close to the situation say almost unanimously that it was time for Kessel to leave.

But the question I have is, did it really have to get to this point? (Bill Harris, Toronto Sun)

Sports Net's Elliotte Friedman says that Kessel will be missed in Toronto.

At the end of the day, Kessel was traded because he was Toronto’s most marketable player they were willing to deal. He could get the best return, including cap space. Nothing else excited them and bringing back the same group was unacceptable to Brendan Shanahan. There’s no doubt this was unfulfilled potential for him and for the team. He’s a lightning rod, a polarizing figure and is responsible for that. But the toughest thing the Maple Leafs lose is a talented player who (for the most part) could ignore the market noise. You need guys like that in Canada, who either embrace it (Subban) or tune it out (Sedins). That’s hard to find. And I think there are some charities who will really miss him. He did a lot, very quietly.

Phil Kessel a Pengiun

It's Canada Day in Canada and in the NHL world, we have a blockbuster trade that sent Phil Kessel to the Pittsburgh Penguins. It doesn't look like the Penguins gave up much to get Kessel. Now Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will have another talented forward to play with.

Per Mike Johnston of Sportsnet.CA:

In return Toronto gets centre Nick Spaling, forward Kasperi Kapanen, defenceman Scott Harrington, plus first- and third-round picks from 2016. Toronto will retain $1.2 million of Kessel’s salary in each of the next seven seasons.

The Leafs are also sending forward Tyler Biggs, defenceman Tim Erixon and a 2016 second-round pick to Pittsburgh.

So, if you're a Leafs fan, do you like this deal? I think that the Penguins have committed a robbery against the Leafs.

Too soon? pic.twitter.com/Y1JP5oxXFq

— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) July 1, 2015

Toronto Maple Leafs trade Phil Kessel to Pittsburgh Penguins: The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded star winger ... http://t.co/1LiiRcIrId

— StayWithMe (@SWM_87) July 1, 2015

Every piece of the original Phil Kessel trade with Boston has been traded again. Kessel. Seguin. Hamilton.

— Adam Gretz (@AGretz) July 1, 2015

Here's the full terms of the Phil Kessel trade. Retained 15% of his salary as well, which is big. pic.twitter.com/amDcZQnRJb

— James Mirtle (@mirtle) July 1, 2015

You've gotta really hate Phil Kessel to lose a trade to Jim Rutherford

— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) July 1, 2015

Redwing77's Bracket

by Redwing77

Redwing77's Stanley Cup Bracket

Goon posted his Bracket Challenge and I'm going to post mine.  I admit to being a bit homer with my Wings and I did post a major upset in the first round.  Sorry Habs fans.  Carey Price seems to actually be a good goaltender and he has chilled from his early career chumpiness.  However, the Habs have had abysmal luck against Ottawa this year.  And, quite honestly, I'd like to throw out a small bone to former Bowling Green State University goaltender, Andrew Hammond.

All in all, however, I think the entire bracket is irrelevant because I truly believe the Rangers are simply going to steamroll anyone they meet and take it all.  I put Chicago in the Finals because Crawford seems to actually play like an elite goaltender when he gets into the playoffs....sometimes anyways.  I believe Dubnyk's insane run ends vs. Oshie and the Blues.  Halak's stumbling continues in the playoffs.  Fleury sieves hardcore before the buzzsaw known as the Rangers.  Honestly, whoever wins the Detroit vs. Tampa series will face the Rangers in the EC Finals.

If my bracket holds together (which any betting man would bet against it), the series to watch will be the Blues vs. Wild, Chicago vs. Nashville (goaltending vs. offense really), and ALL of the Rangers games.  I think the entire Anaheim subbracket is the most boring bracket.

Original Six wins again.

New York Post: Refs’ Dangerous Let-Em-Play Policy Is Killing Offense

Recently, I had this discussion with a friend of mine. His argument was, if you want to increase scoring, the refs need to blow the whistle more. If you think about this, it sounds like a simple solution.

Basically, in a nutshell, it would appear that the number of penalties being called on the ice in the NHL are down this season.

Brett Cyrgalis, New York Post – So many games I’ve seen this year have devolved into something out of Jacques Lemaire’s Devils playbook. And you know who does about as well at it as anyone? Those fast-paced Rangers. That one-goal lead they held in the third period Thursday night against the Wild — there was no chance they were letting that slip away, because there was no chance they were letting Minnesota players get out of arm’s reach. Dump it in, get a third man high, clog the neutral zone, double-team in corners — and if someone happens to get a good look, let it be one-on-one with the goalie.

Snip

Yes, there are other factors in why scoring is so low. The goalie equipment is huge, and the nets are the same size. The talent pool is now fully international, and the teams are deeper.

But if the league wants more scoring — which you would think it does — they have to start with the officiating. And it’s too late now, the regular season is practically over, and the new version of officiating is about to take effect

What do you think? There may be something to the argument. This season, there’s not one player close to scoring 100 points. The NHL only has five players that have a shot a making 80 points. Currently, only Sidney Crosby has scored (26g-54a—80pts).

NHL Quarter Awards

With the season already a quarter over, lets take a look at who should win the Hart, Vezina, Norris, Calder, and Jack Adams trophies if the season were to end right now.

Hart: Sidney Crosby
Well no surprise here as Crosby is tops in the NHL in Points and second in assists. The Pittsburgh Penguins captain is leading the charge in the NHL and showing off the superstar like player we have all come to know very well, like him or hate him. Crosby is on pace for 119 points this season, scoring at 1.45 points per game. Scoring at this rate, Crosby, and Pittsburgh will be very tough to beat.

Norris: Ryan Suter
The league's top work horse is proving once again on why he is one of the elite NHL defenders. Suter leads all defenders in plus/minus at +13, which is also third in the NHL, and is a +6 in his last five games. Even though Mark Giordano leads all NHL defenders in points, Suter's 11 is still nothing to sneeze at for a defenseman at the quarter point. Give it time and the points will come for Ryan Suter.

Vezina: Pekka Rinne
Probably on one of the biggest surprise teams this season, Rinne is putting up the best numbers between the pipes in the NHL this season. He tops the
league with 14 wins. His 1.97 goals against average and .927 save percent also find him in the top five in the NHL among his fellow goalies. In 18 games played, Rinne is 14-3-1 and looks to remain among the NHL elite goaltenders for the remainder of the season.

Calder: Filip Forsberg
The 2012 first rounder for Nashville has turned heads in the early season and has become a big part to the Preds success so far. His +18 rating is tops in the NHL and his 22 points find him leading all NHL rookies as well, this is also good enough for 12th in the NHL too. Forsberg is in the top 20 in all major statistical categories in the NHL and leads all rookies in them as well.

Jack Adams: Jack Capuano
The Islanders coach has had one of the toughest coaching jobs since taking over a sinking New York Islanders in 2010 and last season was no different. Making the playoffs just one time since taking over, 2012-2013 first round loss to Pittsburgh, the Islanders have established their young talent and have found themselves sixth in the NHL in total points right now. Capuano has done a wonderful job turning this team around this season, and if the
success continues, look for a nice playoff run for the boys on Long Island.

Penguins' Crosby healing nicely

#490360205 / gettyimages.com

The NHL and it's fans are breathing a sigh of relief. The face of the NHL is healing and hopefully, he will be okay when the NHL season begins.

NHL.com -- Pittsburgh Penguins forward Sidney Crosby said Friday he is pleased with the way his injured right wrist has responded to treatment.

"It's good," Crosby told The Associated Press in Estero, Fla., where he has been working out. "You want to see how things progress throughout the summer once you start skating and get back to that regular routine. You want to see how it reacts, so I'm happy with the way it's gone."

The Penguins in early July said Crosby had been receiving treatment for a wrist injury he sustained last season. Crosby's agent, Pat Brisson, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that Crosby opted for an injection rather than surgery, which was not ruled out. Brisson said Crosby was injured in March.

Penguins general manager Jim Rutherford said in July that Crosby would be ready for training camp.

After leading the NHL in scoring during the regular season with 104 points, Crosby had one goal and eight points in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He did not have a point in the Penguins' final three games, all losses, after they took a 3-1 series lead against the New York Rangers in the Eastern Conference Second Round.

Crosby "might" need wrist surgery

#490360205 / gettyimages.com

During the NHL Playoffs, people were asking what is wrong with Sidney Crosby. Especially, after th All-Star player underperformed during the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs. This revelation would explain a lot of things. Also, if Crosby is out for any amount of time this season, it could prove costly for the Penguins

Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette -- Sidney Crosby isn't having arthroscopic surgery on his injured right wrist, after all.

Not yet, anyway.

But if the injections he has decided to receive in lieu of an operation don't have the desired effect, Crosby still could undergo surgery before training camp opens in September.

"If this treatment works, you avoid surgery and move on," Pat Brisson, who is Crosby's agent, said Tuesday. "If it doesn't, he will have to go that [surgical] route."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, citing a source who requested anonymity, reported last Wednesday that Crosby was going to have surgery on his injured wrist "within the next few days."

Brisson confirmed that, as of July 8, "a couple of doctors [had] recommended the surgery," but said Crosby sought another opinion the next day and received yet another -- this one, from the doctor who suggested the injections -- Monday.

Pens to fire head coach Dan Bylsma?

#487310797 / gettyimages.com

First, I think that Dan Bylsma is a very good hockey coach. I find it puzzling that the Pens ownership is going to blame the head coach for Sidney Crosby scoring (1g-8a—9pts) in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games. I find that troubling that the head coach is always to blame when a team loses. Bylsma did win a Stanley Cup during the 2008-09 season.

If Bylsma is fired, and he probably will be, he will get a new coaching job very quickly. Some  ownership group is going to want him to be their next head coach. I think the biggest issue is that the Penguins don't have a tough guy to protect Crosby and  Evgeni Malkin from all of the extra bravo sierra that they have had deal with on the ice. Like I mentioned earlier this week, if Wayne Gretzky had to put up with this garbage Crosby has during the Stanley Cup Playoffs, there would have been blood on the ice.

Rob Rossi, Trib Live --- Those questions already were being asked by majority co-owners Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle and CEO David Morehouse.

Penguins ownership will consider a sweeping overhaul that could include terminating general manager Ray Shero in addition to Dan Bylsma and the members of the coaching staff, multiple sources told the Tribune-Review. Ownership specifically is concerned about a perceived lack of accountability for players, overall team toughness and unproductive drafts, the sources said.

The sources also said Penguins ownership might not want to undergo a complete front-office shakeup with only about a month before the NHL Entry Draft.

No decisions have been made, and they will not be rushed, the sources said.

Shero and Bylsma have two years remaining on their contracts. Shero signed Bylsma and top assistants Tony Granato and Todd Reirden to extensions a few days after the Penguins were swept from the conference final by Boston last June

I am not a Penguins fan, but I have been taken back by how many fans are calling for his head. This past season Bylsma lead the Penguins went 51-24-7 record and finished first in the Metropolitan Division. That's a very respectable finish and it's very hard to win in the NHL playoffs.

(Video) Sidney Crosby cup checks Dominic Moore after being mugged by him

First, I am not a fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins by any stretch of the imagination, but in this case I don't blame Sidney Crosby for being upset. Shouldn’t the ref call the penalties as they present themselves? The blatant holding the stick, is a penalty in high school, college and in the NHL.

The treatment that Crosby has been given during the playoffs, that has gone uncalled is ridiculous. Does the NHL want their star players out with injuries or concussions?

Also, what is Crosby supposed to do? Dominic Moore has Sid’s stick and won’t let go, that’s should be a penalty, so Crosby stuck him. While we don't want to see players spearing their opponents, sometimes the opponents should expect "something" in return, especially when they do stuff like this.

You have to give kudos to Chris Kunitz for sticking up for his fellow teammate as well. Can you imagine what former Oilers tough guy Dave Semenko would have done, if someone had done this to Wayne Gretzky? There would have been blood on the ice.

20:00 PIT Chris Kunitz Roughing - 2 min against Dominic Moore
20:00 PIT Sidney Crosby Cross checking - 2 min against Marc Staal
20:00 NYR Brian Boyle Cross checking - 2 min against Sidney Crosby

(Video) Marc Staal Cross-Checks Sidney Crosby

I was on YouTube looking for something else when I came across this video. Anyone wonder why some of the star players like Sidney Crosby might not be scoring as many goals as they do during the regular season.

#becauseitsthecup ... Even thought it's the playoffs, cross-checking your opponent in the head is still a penalty, right? It should be. This should be called, this is a dirty hit and should be a five-minute major in my opinion. Thoughts?

Henrik Lundqvist: Rangers Consistent Star when Struggling to Score

Well the New York Rangers will have their work cut out for them if they are able to surpass the offensive talented Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round, especially after the grinding seven game series against the Flyers. However, the Rangers do have one trump card in their hands, and that is goalie Henrik Lundqvist.

With the New York Ranger power play being terrible in these playoffs, not getting many scoring chances and giving up shorthanded rushes, Lundqvist has always been there to save the day. Hank is posting a 2.07 goals against average and a .926 save percentage, which are outstanding numbers in any league, but has a playoff record of 5-4 because the lack of offensive support for the annual Vezina Trophy worthy goaltender. 

So far in the series against Pittsburgh, two games, "King" Henrik has made 36 and 34 saves respectively only allowing two goals in each of those contests. The Rangers need to start to find ways to put pucks in the net to support their goalie, who is giving the Rangers chances to finish games in the win column every single night. 

As addressed briefly earlier, the Rangers are struggling putting pucks in the net, especially from their power play and big gun Rick Nash. Their power play has hit just three times out of 37 attempts, or at a 8.1% success rate. You can't get very far in the playoffs if you aren't scoring with the extra man.

Now for the struggles of superstar power forward Rick Nash not being able to find the net. Going into tonight, Nash lead the NHL during the playoffs in shots on goal with 37, but has yet to find the twine. One can only think that he will break through soon and open the floodgates, but will it be too little too late against the offensive powerhouse Penguins? Maybe, but if Sidney Crosby ends his goal scoring troubles before Nash, and the rest of the Rangers are able to find the net more, this series doesn't go more than five games unless Hank is able to steal the Rangers some victories. 

Penguins Keep Finding Ways Without Crosby Scoring Goals

#488214377 / gettyimages.com

Tonight was the eighth game of the playoffs for the Pittsburgh Penguins and they notched victory five of the 16 needed to win the Stanley Cup tonight. Nothing too strange about this right? Wrong. Sidney Crosby has yet to score a goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and it's driving Pittsburgh fans nuts.

I am seeing all over social media of Pittsburgh fans ripping on their captain, saying he isn't playing well because he is not scoring goals for the black and gold. What they fail to realize is that Crosby has been almost a point per game clip in assists for the Penguins in the playoffs thus far.

Tonight's game was a prime example of that. Crosby was creating scoring chances whenever he was on the ice and the only thing keeping him off the score sheet was Henrik Lundqvist. So for all you Crosby "haters," have faith in your captain. He is the best offensive player in the entire world. Even Wayne Gretzky had a streak of 12 playoff games where he would not net a goal. So even the best have slumps.

Switching to the defensive side of the puck, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury has also been getting a lot of grief from the Penguins faithful as of late. Yes he isn't the Flower of the Stanley Cup 2009 team, but he still is a very solid goaltender. Tonight was a prime example of that.

Personally I am a Marc-Andre fleury fan. He plays a real solid butterfly and generally is not out of position. He had a real solid season this year, but wasn't spectacular by NHL fans standards.

None the less, the Penguins are finding ways to win games in the playoffs and keep pushing for Stanley Cup number four. Fans just need to keep being fans and support your team. No player is perfect and will go through "slumps," and let in bad goals every now and then.

Pittsburgh Penguins: James Neal goal against the New York Rangers (Video)

I am not sure why New Yorks Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist was upset? After watching the video, it was obvious that Evgeni Malkin never touched the puck with his stick. Pens forward James Neal was credited with the goal.