Carman

Columbus is the lesser of the 3 evils(ducks and blues) for me at least. As long as we step up defensively we should have no problem netting some goals on Mason. Wings in 5!!

This move is either going to be an absolutely amazing deal, or come to really reallly bit us in the ass. Let's hope the Mule stays healthy!

Nope, that would stop your forward progress and go behind the line.

I hate Ribeiro so much I refuse to think this is a good goal. haha

I wouldn't say best goal ever, but it was different which is always pleasant to see.

It's a physical league. If you get a huge hit a star player no matter if it was legal or not, expect to be challenge. That's it. No if, ands, or buts. I see the whole arguement about fighting after legal hits, but this was a questionable and huge hit. Ballard knew it was coming, the fans knew it was coming, the goalies knew it was coming, the announcers, and the officals. The hit WAS questionable, sure after review it looks clean, but it's not a matter of it being illegal or legal - more of the matter Pittsburgh needed to get momentum some-way and considering that hit was while they were on a power play Crosby thought the best course of action was to let Ballard know that he should think twice before hitting a star player. I don't see why anyone wouldn't enjoy watching this, I think it's great entertainment on both parties.

You are telling me in the heat of a game, that hit couldn't look very low to you? It's not like the hit was unquestionably legal, it was great hit, but man oh man how can you expect to have a team just sit back after you hit their star player like that? The answer? You shouldn't, Ballard damn well knew he was going to have someone after him - that's hockey, there is no need to blast players for making good entertainment.

I'm referring to goalies outside the crease. Almost all of the atrocious calls on Holmstorm have to do with him apparently having an invisible foot in the crease. Anyways enough about that. Really my take on the whole play was a great hit by Ballard, and a good showing by Crosby. Ballard said after the game he was expecting someone to come after him, and I know if I was on Malkin's team I would definitely go after Ballard. I'm sure Crosby wanted to help his team, and I'm sure Ballard loved the opportunity to take Crosby out for 5 minutes it was a win-win situation that made for good hockey. It doesn't have much to do with it being a dirty hit, and more to do with it being a big hit that could of changed the momentum of the game. Sure, Crosby could of kept his hands to himself, but I guarantee Guerin would of dropped his gloves. I just don't see why people have to blast Crosby for trying to spark his team. I'm pretty confident to say if roles were reversed and that wasn't Crosby it wouldn't have been a big deal. But no, since it's Crosby he must have done something cheap. Anyways just my opinion.

Not all the time, sure you can't be like keith tkachuk and lay the goalie out, but they are getting a little more lenient on contact with the goalie.

He is probably refering to outside the crease.

On the second and third and fourth looks, yes it was a clean hit. But in the heat of the game it could of definitely have been called a penalty. I don't see how people can blame Crosby for going after Ballard. Even Ballard himself said after the game he was expecting someone to come after him. That's hockey.

Big save ozzie!

Yeah that's some bad luck for the Habs.

Yeah I can definitely see that angle too. But I'm sure it was just instinctive play by Crosby and it made for a good show. Can't complain

It wasn't so much of a matter Crosby thinking it was dirty. But when one of your best players gets checked like that he has to expect something to happen. It's how hockey has always been. It was a Power Play and Crosby was the closest to Ballard so he took it into his hands, I think it was a fair play by both players. I'm sure Ballard was happy to fight Crosby, I'm sure Crosby wanted to spark up his team via a fight. Fair play all-around, imo.

No he is a hockey player that sticks up for his teammates by fighting. Something the Red Wings aren't huge on so you are probably not used to it.

I have a feeling you would be surprised by how many "cheap shots" you see at the face-off circles, corner position jockeying, crashing the net. A little tap on the back of a helmet is not a big deal. Bad timing? Of course. Smart thing to do? Probably not. But players say things/do things on the ice that are much much worse then tapping a goalie on the head it's just hockey. That play deserves a penalty nothing more...

Good hit. Decent fight. Great hockey.

If you only knew 1/4 of what is actually being said/done during a hockey game...

Yep, Avery is certainly worse then McSorley, Bertuzzi, Simon and Lemieux. I can't believe he has said such horrid things and even viciously attacks the opposing goalie with a baseball swing to the head. How is this man not in jail yet?

I agree, but I love seeing him in the Eastern Conference.

Shouldn't of been a penalty on Avery, the officials saw it on the replay clock. from me, Avery!

Yep, already got called out on that one, thanks!

I agree on the bored aspect. But I don't see how anyone can say a team plays with the same desire and heart, if they already clinched a #2 seed, then they would in the playoffs where every thing counts more.

Fair enough, I just think trying to compare two players' desire on a 14 game sampling at the end of a regular season that the team is already clinched for #2 is utterly useless, that's all.