2016 Stanley Cup Final: San Jose Sharks VS Pittsburgh Penguins

[habernac]

Losers always make excuses

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Poe969

It's fine to call him out on it but do it in a more "tasteful" way. Saying "he gets away with it because of who he is" is just whining. If he would have said something about how good he is at cheating or timing it so he doesn't have to have his stick down or something like that, it sounds a lot better. That way you're saying "HE CHEATS" without pouting. I agree with saying something about it but the optics of how you go about it are pretty important.

Maybe there is some truth to it? Crosby is a big name and arguably does get the benefit of some calls. Look at Gaudreau, I'm fairly certain if people abused Crosby the same way there would be a lot more calls.

[Poe969]

I don't think Crosby gets beneficial treatment, I just think he's a lot better. Every successful hockey player finds creative ways to cheat in order to get the leg up. I doubt they aren't calling Crosby because of his name, they're not calling him because he's just better at it. If Couture was doing the same thing just as good as Crosby was, it wouldn't be an issue. Couture isn't as good so it is an issue.

Habernac said it, losers make excuses, that's why it looks bad. If Couture comes out and says it's the reason Crosby wins then he's bringing it into light and pointing it out and maybe Crosby starts to get called on it. By pouting and saying "you like him more than you like me" it will likely have the opposite reaction he's looking for.

[Galakanokis]

I see Crosby taking a lot of abuse out there. Holding, slashing, oodles of crosschecks and even punches to the the head. I don't think he is getting the benefit of many calls. He's putting his head down and taking care of business.

And maybe he's jut really good at draws and Couture is a whiney bitch? For a player I like Couture has actually been pretty embarrassing so far, Sedin level flops all over the place and now this.

[GirlySports]

Are we sure it was a drawn up play? Right after the Sherry interview with Oake, Hrudey insisted it was not planned.

[Kolbe31]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Are we sure it was a drawn up play? Right after the Sherry interview with Oake, Hrudey insisted it was not planned.

I like Hrudey, but I'd likely trust the guys who executed the play (and said it was drawn up) than a guy watching the game on TV.

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

So it's ok for Crosby to cheat on draws, but it's not ok to call him out on it?

This is really no different than what Crosby is doing, and is all part of the game. Coaches makes comments in the media all the time about not getting calls and such, this is the exact same thing.

I'm fine with Crosby cheating on draws, and I'm fine with the Sharks trying to get him kicked out of the circle. Both teams trying to gain an advantage.

Side note: There is nothing more annoying than taking a draw and having the other guy trying to time it and knock it out of the air.

Couture comments are just typical gamesmanship, very similar to Deboer calling out the refs early in the Blues series. They are just trying to manipulate the refs/lineman to their advantage. Typical playoff stuff, nothing new. You can't say a guy is too good or they are too rough, you have to say they are breaking the rules.

[dino7c]

Crosby cheats on draws...lots of guys do

if he's not gonna get called on it why not? I would call him out too though its gotta be pretty frustrating

[wittynickname]

Originally Posted by Kolbe31

I like Hrudey, but I'd likely trust the guys who executed the play (and said it was drawn up) than a guy watching the game on TV.

I'm at work on my phone so I can't easily pull up the clip, but there's an isocam view of Sid leading to that face-off. He goes to Sheary, Dumoulin, and Letang, sets the play, and it goes flawlessly. Letang literally points to Sid in the celebration, while Dumoulin looks kind of stunned. Sheary said postgame that Sid did everything but tell him where to place the shot. He told Letang exactly where Sheary would be on the ice. He dictated that entire play.

I'd take Letang and Sheary's word over a commentator who wasn't on the ice.

[Poe969]

Of course it was drawn up. Crosby is a very special player and he planned that perfectly.

[Huntingwhale]

Spoiler!

[hwy19man]

1 at 2 in overtime


Pittsburgh leads the series 2-0.
[I]http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/nhl/...me-2-1.3611860
http://sportsstats.cbc.ca/hockey/nhl...ecap75738.html
http://scores.nbcsports.com/nhl/reca...=18&final=true
http://espn.go.com/blog/nhl/post/_/i...-jose-sharks-2
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/15...ley-cup-finals
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports...lead/85275908/
http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/st...r-ot-thriller/

[Mr.Coffee]

It's been noted before but it's worth repeating, why on earth is there these long delays between games? Did they travel to San Jose in horse and carriage Oregon Trail style?

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

I haven't been following the NBA, but with another Bay Area team playing, I'm betting they are trying their damndest to avoid conflicting with the NBA finals while still picking good viewing nights so they don't lose their entire viewing audience for the Sharks to basketball.

[calgarygeologist]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

It's been noted before but it's worth repeating, why on earth is there these long delays between games? Did they travel to San Jose in horse and carriage Oregon Trail style?

It probably gets mentioned every year but the playoffs need to be played quicker and get done sooner.

I was thinking about a way to get it done quicker and I think a schedule like this would work best for all rounds:

Games 1-4 would be the same set up as currently but instead of travelling back for game 5 it should be a back to back game with game 4 at the lower ranked teams rink. Games 6 and 7 go back to the higher ranked team and are also played back to back following a one day break.

Obviously this might not always work because of scheduling conflicts at the arenas but I think that following this type of schedule could easily get the playoffs done before the end of May.

[djsFlames]

I think the sc finals have always been spaced out like this. Makes sense with the wear and tear both teams have likely experienced. You want both teams to be rested and able to bring their best.

[FurnaceFace]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

It's been noted before but it's worth repeating, why on earth is there these long delays between games? Did they travel to San Jose in horse and carriage Oregon Trail style?

I suspect they added an extra day so teams didn't have to do late night flights and to make sure there was some contingency in case of mechanical issues with a plane. It also allows the players extra rest when they need it the most and when you want them playing at their best. The NBA Finals have an extra travel day too.

I don't know if it's still the case (I can't see it changing though) but I recall San Josa has a noise bylaw and the airport shuts down at 11, no flights in or out. That might play a factor at least for the return to Pittsburgh.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I would imagine tv matchups are important too.

Starting last sunday would not have been good. NBC likes afternoon games and that means going up against the Indy 500. Or going up against the NBA finals on other nights.

And since NBC likes Sat/Sun afternoon games, they need to coordinate the schedule accordingly. Don't want a 10am local start time in SJ and don't want to be forced to play on b2b days or not have enough rest between travel from Pit/Sj or vice versa.

[EVERLAST]

2 more games and this is over.

Sidneys play and his teammates elevating they're play .....Murray is in the zone.

The sharks have already mentally checked out and are accusing one of the best players in the world of cheating, wow, Losers make excuses and quit .

In 04 not once did I hear a player say Lecavalier is cheating, KHABIBULIN is just too dominant....we came to play ....Darryl didn't bitch....

Sharks Again make it a long way just to best themselves.

Somewhere Todd McLellan is laughing his ass off,

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

The sharks have already mentally checked out and are accusing one of the best players in the world of cheating, wow, Losers make excuses and quit .

Uh... relax.

Accusing someone of cheating on faceoffs is not unlike accusing them of getting away with whacks on a wrist or interference. He's just working the refs to get an edge, nothing more.