Pens/Craps
- Thread starter Euell
- Start date
3 was deserved but with the inconsistent justice handed out by the NHL on these type of hits, I expected less. On ice refs should get 3 games too.
With Orpik out and the Pens getting the last line change I'm guessing the Pens will generate a lot more offense these next two games. Now if we can get our PP going we'll be in business!
I myself am not quite as sour on last night's stripes as you appear to be, OM.
They obviously went soft on the Orpik elbow......and the Letang call was surely among the sillier payback calls you'll see.....but they (I thought) did a fair job keeping the Craps from getting out of hand with the cheap stuff. And, they fortunately had the seeds to make the goalie interference call on Kuznetsov.....on his home ice.....and got it dead right to boot.
But as in pretty much every other game requiring officials these days, the NHL obviously remains plagued by inconsistency (both on and off the ice).
JUST WATCHED THE BURNSIDE/LEBRUN ANALYSIS OF THE DECISION ON ESPN. COM, AND LEBRUN THINKS THE 3RD GAME WAS ADDED TO OFFSET THE FACT THE STRIPES MISSED THE GAME MISCONDUCT PENALTY (AND VERY EARLY IN THE GAME) ORPIK DESERVED ON THE PLAY.
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Not sure the Pens will generate more offense with Orpik out; after all, BO's game has NEVER been about skating. But I'll agree Penguins' skulls will certainly be at somewhat lesser risk.
Will be interested to see if (or how) that other Craps hack, Tom Wilson, picks up the slack with Orpik now out.
Great news re; the suspension...had the misconduct been leveled he wouldn't have had the opportunity to elbow Letang either...I assume he has the opportunity to appeal? Or maybe this has been done already...regardless it's nice to have him OUT!
Anyone hear just how Olli is doing by chance? I imagine not too good...although with him not really being up to speed since back, our 7th is not going to be so bad should he be out for awhile...really hope he's ok over the long haul...
Let's take a hold of this series tomorrow!!!
I don't get the impression anyone is currently considering when he'll be ready to play again; hopefully it'll be earlier than later, but we all know these are iffy situations. Meanwhile, DK is reporting this morning.....per Justin Schultz.....that Orpik has sent a text to Maatta with his apologies for the hit.
Given (IMO) what appeared to be the intent of the hit......certainly the result......and the specific guy (coming off his own concussion-related issues) making the apology.....I'm honestly not sure what to make of it (and how significant it is)
UPDATE 10 MINUTES LATER: DK NOW REPORTING B.O. FACED THE PRESS EARLY THIS AFTERNOON IN PITTSBURGH, AND CLAIMED TO HAVE REACHED OUT TO MAATTA AFTER THE GAME SATURDAY NIGHT.
HE ALSO SAID THAT WHILE HIS INTENT WAS TO HIT O.M. HARD, HE DID NOT INTEND TO HIT THE HEAD. FINALLY, HE CLAIMS TO HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED IT AS A "BAD HIT" IN HIS DoPS HEARING, SUPPOSEDLY REFERRING TO IT AS "BLACK AND WHITE".
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Regarding last change, I'll be interested to see if HCMS uses it to try and separate Sid's line from Backstrom......due to NB's dominance in the faceoff circle.....or Carlson (who dominates physically, but loses his partner the next 3 games). I'll also be interested to see if Trotz replaces Orpik with Weber......who delivers Orpik's hack (but about 1/10 his ability) or Orlov (who's already been benched this series).
I also wonder if we might see Niskanen.....who's playing fabulous right now.....float at times up to the top pair with Carlson.
Whether or not he meant to hit his head (not sure I believe him), the hit was very late. The Pens need to make them pay "on the ice" and take the next three with his sorry a$$ sitting in the owner's box or wherever he will be.
Check out the following from Sportsnet.ca.....
If you think that sounds mysteriously like noted Blue Jackets' big mouth, John Tortorella, you're not alone......in fact, I'm cynical enough to think Torts might have called his buddy (my opinion) Trotz independently and suggested he take the public shot.
Well, Barry Trotz isn’t nearly as comfortable with the three-game suspension levied against Orpik for his late head hit against Olli Maatta in Game 2. The veteran Washington Capitals coach even seemed to make a fairly strong accusation against how the process was handled by the NHL’s department of player safety.
“I’m disappointed, but I’m not surprised based on who we’re playing and all that,” Trotz said.
Asked later to clarify that comment so that there was no misunderstanding about him potentially suggesting the Pittsburgh Penguins were given preferential treatment, he replied: “Take it for whatever you want.”
“I’m disappointed, but I’m not surprised based on who we’re playing and all that,” Trotz said.
Asked later to clarify that comment so that there was no misunderstanding about him potentially suggesting the Pittsburgh Penguins were given preferential treatment, he replied: “Take it for whatever you want.”
If you think that sounds mysteriously like noted Blue Jackets' big mouth, John Tortorella, you're not alone......in fact, I'm cynical enough to think Torts might have called his buddy (my opinion) Trotz independently and suggested he take the public shot.
Oh, that same Sportsnet piece is reporting that Derrick Pouliot currently appears to be the more likely replacement for Maatta than Schultz (because he came off the practice ice this morning first, while Schultz remained behind for more work). I'm wondering if it's simply because Pouliot has experience playing against Washington, whereas Schultz essentially does not.
Meanwhile, following up my comment above re: Trotz; it appears as though the Craps camp is working very hard today to divert media attention from the transgression itself to the manner in which Orpik handled it today with the Press. I find myself assuming Orpik was advised.....or perhaps instructed.....to fall on his sword and give Trotz the opportunity to go public with his new Tortorella impression.
BTW, I did see excerpts of today's media scrum, and Orpik indeed seemed quietly contrite (in a League.....and world.....that doesn't seem to take responsibility for anything anymore). However, I'm still not sure what the takeaway is supposed to be, especially in light of the Trotz comments.
Of course, Trotz couched them in light of the single game suspension the Bellemare kid (for the Cryers) got when he boarded Dimitry Orlov. Of course, Trotz isn't going to let the annoying fact the two hits are in no way comparable stop him from flapping his gums. OTOH, this presumably is just Trotz' way of publicly circling the wagons around a team heading on the road for 2 games.,
Oh, and the more I think of it, I don't think HCMS will hesitate for a second to put Sid out against Backstrom, and simply trust that Sid can (and will) show much better in the faceoff circle than he did the other night.
Meanwhile, following up my comment above re: Trotz; it appears as though the Craps camp is working very hard today to divert media attention from the transgression itself to the manner in which Orpik handled it today with the Press. I find myself assuming Orpik was advised.....or perhaps instructed.....to fall on his sword and give Trotz the opportunity to go public with his new Tortorella impression.
BTW, I did see excerpts of today's media scrum, and Orpik indeed seemed quietly contrite (in a League.....and world.....that doesn't seem to take responsibility for anything anymore). However, I'm still not sure what the takeaway is supposed to be, especially in light of the Trotz comments.
Of course, Trotz couched them in light of the single game suspension the Bellemare kid (for the Cryers) got when he boarded Dimitry Orlov. Of course, Trotz isn't going to let the annoying fact the two hits are in no way comparable stop him from flapping his gums. OTOH, this presumably is just Trotz' way of publicly circling the wagons around a team heading on the road for 2 games.,
Oh, and the more I think of it, I don't think HCMS will hesitate for a second to put Sid out against Backstrom, and simply trust that Sid can (and will) show much better in the faceoff circle than he did the other night.
CM...I just heard it on TSN and at first I thought they actually said Torts lol!....I understand the gamesmanship that can revolve around the playoffs and the sport in general but really Barry??? Lmao...get a grip....
Also...finalists for Calder out...McDavid, Panarin, and Gostisbehre...I'd find it awfully hard to ignore the Philly boy...those numbers are off the charts for a rookie D imo....
Well...we don't see Flower tonight and I guess we're doin A-OK!
Let's Go Pens!
Big save MM on Oshie!
Let's Go Pens!
Big save MM on Oshie!
Matt Murray is now being heralded from the rafters....And the Craps are unraveling taking pot shots everywhere...Anyone else love to see Wilson pathetically attempt to incite...pile it on Pens! Light em up!!!
I'm not sure we could expect any better out of that first guys...they were coming on from time to time only to be denied...and The Pens are playing some damn smart hockey in the O zone imo...shooting, going to the net and tipping pucks...Think #8 is upset Euell? Lol....
Ex-Caps Keith Jones saying Letang should have gotten a 5 minute major especially after the Brooks Orpik hit on Maata and I'm thinking, "Funny, I don't remember the referee calling a 5 minute major on Orpik. Personally I did not think the Tanger hit was nearly as egregious as Orpik's. I still think he will get suspended, but, if so, I hope no more than 1 game.
The play was such that, under normal game circumstances, Letang serves his 2 minutes and nothing more is ever said. But all of Trotz's pregame whining almost guarantees that Letang will sit for a game. It presumably helps Letang's case somewhat that Johansson is back on the ice.
Absolutely NO similarity at all to the Orpik hit; but I tend to agree with Milbury that it was a dumb play. Of course, at least a half dozen Craps players make the exact same hit under the exact same circumstances.
Oh! How does the Johansen retaliation affect the Letang hearing which we know is coming? Bit late with that hit...a bit high? Yeah it sure was...
Edit! I coulda sworn they were calling the slewfoot there...but it's the trip on Fehr? These refs are all over the map...
Edit! I coulda sworn they were calling the slewfoot there...but it's the trip on Fehr? These refs are all over the map...
Pens need to score on this PP. Don't want them to gain any momentum from a PK.
Well CM...Asshat Kypreos disagrees with you...and one of my faves Hrudey says...'this hit was nowhere near the Orpik hit'....why am I not surprised....F Kypreos...the clown shoes...
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