Here is an example of an insane Pens fan

[Firehawk 305]

It was only a boring trap game becuase they lost. If they had won, there wouldn't have been a thread like that. I was saying the same in 95 when we lost to the Devils. It is similar in that we showed up with a high powered offense and never seen that trap before. I think that's the series that really gave birth to this new NHL, because everybody began to copy it since it was so effective.

[datsyukonethree 0]

Maybe if their team wasn't made of ******* and divers, they wouldn't have so much to complain about. I almost feel bad for them... yeah right.

[Firehawk 305]

Look at their five on five play or even just the number of shots they get even strength. This is a team geared specifically around capitalizing on whatever PP they get and playing not to lose the rest of the time. The very fact that they made it though the east so easily speaks volumes as to how weak the east currently is. Half a dozen of the western teams would have pounded the Pens in the finals.

Had we not had two terrible turnovers and decided to take 40 minutes of Game 3 off, we would already be parading around with the cup and Cindy would be on the back nine this morning.

I agree. Before this series, I was ranking the Pens around 5th in the West. I thought even Nashville would have taken them to a long series at least. I thought Colorado and DEFINITELY Dallas were better than the Pens. I think Anaheim and SJ would have beaten the sh*t out of the Pens. Talk about crying about dirty play? The wings are one of the cleanest teams in the league. We hit hard now, but we aren't dirty like Anaheim is.

[Wings_Dynasty 267]

My favorite comment:

I dont mind losing to better teams. But when I think of how the Pens cup teams or the Oilers or Isles of the 80s would probably lose this series also,it makes me want to puke.

Thanks for the back-handed compliment, ******.

[Packer487 3]

Cool. Completely crack down on obstruction and retroactively award us the 1995 and 2007 Stanley Cups. And we'd still win this series.

[Firehawk 305]

Just think about how good the Red Wings have been for the last 13 years. We could easily have a few more cups in there. We could have won the cup from 95 through 98, and a great case could be made that the wings could have won the cup many more times throughout the 21st century. It's amazing, really, and makes you understand how special it really is to put together a cup run and complete it.

[GreatBallsOfFire 0]

For those keeping score at home:

Over the course of four games, the Pittsburgh Penguins have gone from being an "unstoppable offensive force" with "the best team defense in the league" and "the hottest goalie in the playoffs" to a team that needs weak/phantom calls from the zebras just to have a fighting chance. Malkin, aka 1/2 of "One of the most dynamic duos hockey has ever seen," has been a total non-factor. This guy was nominated for the Hart? If anything, he's hurt his team more than he's helped it in this series. Fleury? Unimpressive. Ditto for Michele "The Tears" Therrien. Crosby? Crosby has consistently been the Pens' best player, but he doesn't have much to show for it. And he whines like a little girl. "Sid the Kid" has some growing up to do, as he's looking like just that -- a kid.

So basically, I can understand why a Pens fan would be frustrated right now.

Malkin has had an incredible season and first 3 rounds of the playoffs. He absolutely deserved to be nominated for the Hart. If you'd have watched him play those 90+ games you would realize this as well. Detroit has done a terrific job of shutting him down (or perhaps he's injured) in this series though because he's been nothing like he was previously. Even Pens fans are turning on him talking about trading him for next year which is ludicrous.

Zetterburg and Datsyuk haven't exactly lit this series on fire either, so the same could be said about them, while you're 2nd and 3rd liners like Samuelsson have stepped up with huge goals they had not scored previously. They have made a huge difference in this series. Sometimes your opponent just has your number and you match up poorly against them overall. This is likely the case with Malkin. Please also remember as you said that he is just a 21 year old kid and that also may be a reason for his lack of focus. Think back to when you were 21 and ask yourself if you could do what Malkin has done this year and the answer is most likely no. He has been incredible and to throw him under the bus now is pitifully sad and immature from the Pens fans that are doing so.

[NHLrules? 32]

Cool. Completely crack down on obstruction and retroactively award us the 1995 and 2007 Stanley Cups. And we'd still win this series.

Dont forget 1994 when Rowdy Roddy Pieper and the SJ Sharks took us out in round one.

That was the worst hockey I have ever seen.

[GreatBallsOfFire 0]

I agree. Before this series, I was ranking the Pens around 5th in the West. I thought even Nashville would have taken them to a long series at least. I thought Colorado and DEFINITELY Dallas were better than the Pens. I think Anaheim and SJ would have beaten the sh*t out of the Pens. Talk about crying about dirty play? The wings are one of the cleanest teams in the league. We hit hard now, but we aren't dirty like Anaheim is.

You can speculate all you want, but thats all it is - pure speculation. My guess is the Pens would've given any of those teams a hardfought series just like they are doing with Detroit who are one flubbed 5 on 3 powerplay from possibly having this series tied at 2-a-piece. If the teams you listed were so great why did they not give Detroit a better fight in their series? Why did both Colorodo and Dallas not win game 3 like the Pens did when it was a MUST WIN down 2-0 in the series? Maybe cuz they weren't as good as the Pens.

[NHLrules? 32]

You can speculate all you want, but thats all it is - pure speculation. My guess is the Pens would've given any of those teams a hardfought series just like they are doing with Detroit who are one flubbed 5 on 3 powerplay from possibly having this series tied at 2-a-piece. If the teams you listed were so great why did they not give Detroit a better fight in their series? Why did both Colorodo and Dallas not win game 3 like the Pens did when it was a MUST WIN down 2-0 in the series? Maybe cuz they weren't as good as the Pens.

Your dreaming.

Tootoo would run roughshod on your stars.

The pens would be a mid tear playoff team in the west.

[j.hoop 64]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henrik Datsyukstrom View Post

You do realize that the trap's very foundation is dumping the puck? You also realize that this is the exact opposite of the Wings' game?

Reply:

The wings sit back with 4-5 on their own blueline and hope for a mistake and oddman rushes the otherway. They trap and its garbage. The Wings used to be a skilled team once upon a time. Now they play trash hockey.

BAHAHAHAHAHA

[RedWingAbner 13]

I'd like to know what "trap" they are talking about.

Oh, it must be how players drop back and play defense rather than allowing a 3-on-1 rush.

How the hell are the Wings playing a trap and outshooting the Penguins at the same time? The trap is used by unskilled teams to beat better teams. THE WINGS HAVE THE BEST OFFENSE IN THE DAMN LEAGUE, MORONS.

Penguins fans have replaced Avs fans as the dumbest group in the league. At least COL excuses made a bit of sense.

[nogoldfx60 1]

I told you guys that guy was insane.

I read most of his posts through the thread and was just baffled at every word. He basically wants to take away any defence from hockey.

One of the last posters in the thread put it very well

Backs4mvp:

"There's a league just like that, it's called the QMJHL, try watching it sometime. There's a reason why it's highly regarded as by far the worst CHL league, because teams don't play defense.

Playing defense is part of the game, and the trap is a defensive strategy, that MANY teams use.

WINNING is the main goal of hockey, not making it exciting for the people who've never seen snow"

[Mule Train 0]

The pens would be a mid tear playoff team in the west.

And a perennial first or second round exit.

If Crosby was half the player that his fans think he is the Pens would have won the Cup every year he has been in the league by a 16-0 game domination of all who dared oppose them.

Seriously - I ALMOST feel sorry for Cindy. I can't hardly believe that he could have known what Gary Bettman's incessant pimping was setting him up for. No one could live up to the over hyped expectations and when he fails to live up to the hype, the failure looks ten times as bad. Like I said...almost. Just when I feel like cutting the kid a break he opens his mouth again and reminds me just why he is this decades Peter Forsberg for me.

[Probert 5 For Fighting 0]

There's no point in arguing them. It's a bit mind-boggling that they're more concerned about the "entertainment" value and "appearence" of the league than the actual hockey strategy taking place every moment on the ice. Babcock has coached these guys into perfect defensive positions that they get used to over the course of an entire game, and it's somehow the fault of the "trap" and mythical "trash hockey" that the leagues darlings in Pittsburgh can't get anything going.

Bah, whatever. Sore losers will be sore losers. I respect and admire the Penguins organization and their fans. The reality is, Detroit was simply the best team - by far - in the NHL this season. And they're finding out that the Eastern Conference did nothing to prepare them for this. The Penguins will be back, they'll be better, more experiences, and most importantly - they'll learn to play much better defense that'll allow their sour grapes opponents to yell "trap!" every time they shut them out.

[awingsincebirth 0]

And a perennial first or second round exit.

If Crosby was half the player that his fans think he is the Pens would have won the Cup every year he has been in the league by a 16-0 game domination of all who dared oppose them.

Seriously - I ALMOST feel sorry for Cindy. I can't hardly believe that he could have known what Gary Bettman's incessant pimping was setting him up for. No one could live up to the over hyped expectations and when he fails to live up to the hype, the failure looks ten times as bad. Like I said...almost. Just when I feel like cutting the kid a break he opens his mouth again and reminds me just why he is this decades Peter Forsberg for me.

QFT. I've come to really loathe Crobsy and the Pens, but the fact is that Sid is one of the best players in the league right now. However, in every era of hockey since the beginning of time their have always been a host of players who qualify as "one of the best". Most of those players went about their business, had great careers, got inducted to the HOF, etc.etc. Crosby will almost certainly do all those things. However, he is lauded as a player who is exponentially more significant than he really is. He is great, but he isn't the best of his generation, and when all is said and done, it is very likely that he won't be considered it. It becomes almost shocking watching this series and thinking, "Wow, this guy isn't nearly as dominant as you'd think he was based on his exposure."

The bottom line is, he's overhyped at this point, by no fault of his own. If the idea were to give the most exposure to the best players, then I think there is no question that Zetterberg deserves more than Crosby RIGHT NOW. At this point in their respective careers, Z is better than Crosby. I'm not trying to just ***** and whine that our guys don't get enough exposure, I'm just saying. I bet if it were the Sharks v Pens, we'd be saying, "YOu know what, Thornton is just better than Crosby". Same if it were Iggy and the Flames. Crosby is good, not the best, Period.

I think his constant bitching comes largely from buying into his own hype. If you are constantly being told that you are the most important player in the league, it would be nearly impossible to naturally expect some preferential treatment.

He's a product of the environement that has bred him, and as a result, he's a *****.

[swiss_redwingfan 5]

and this is another example

[Mule Train 0]

and this is another example

Here's a real gem from that article:

'The Europeans are the masters of obstruction because they're to dainty to hit. The Wings have what, 17 or more of them.'

1993 called and it wants it stereotype back. Ask all the people rocked by Kronner or Franzen this year about daintiness. When you see a player turtled up these days...it isn't a Red Wing.

The Pens aren't masters of anything....except EPIC FAIL.

[GreatBallsOfFire 0]

QFT. I've come to really loathe Crobsy and the Pens, but the fact is that Sid is one of the best players in the league right now. However, in every era of hockey since the beginning of time their have always been a host of players who qualify as "one of the best". Most of those players went about their business, had great careers, got inducted to the HOF, etc.etc. Crosby will almost certainly do all those things. However, he is lauded as a player who is exponentially more significant than he really is. He is great, but he isn't the best of his generation, and when all is said and done, it is very likely that he won't be considered it. It becomes almost shocking watching this series and thinking, "Wow, this guy isn't nearly as dominant as you'd think he was based on his exposure."

The bottom line is, he's overhyped at this point, by no fault of his own. If the idea were to give the most exposure to the best players, then I think there is no question that Zetterberg deserves more than Crosby RIGHT NOW. At this point in their respective careers, Z is better than Crosby. I'm not trying to just ***** and whine that our guys don't get enough exposure, I'm just saying. I bet if it were the Sharks v Pens, we'd be saying, "YOu know what, Thornton is just better than Crosby". Same if it were Iggy and the Flames. Crosby is good, not the best, Period.

I think his constant bitching comes largely from buying into his own hype. If you are constantly being told that you are the most important player in the league, it would be nearly impossible to naturally expect some preferential treatment.

He's a product of the environement that has bred him, and as a result, he's a *****.

I was about to compliment you on a great post telling it like it is, until I got to the end and you started the name-calling as is par for most of this site it seems.

Crosby did not ask to be the savior for the league, it is being thrust upon him. He does not buy into the hype about how great he is, he knows he still has to win the Cup to prove it. He talks about this point all the time, but most outsiders don't hear those quotes. Whether he is better than Zetterberg, Iginla, Thornton is all debatable. Tell me you don't think if Crosby were playing on the Wings right now in place of Zetterburg with Detroit's great defense and system that they would not be 1 win from the Cup? Crosby knows that it takes a great team to win the Cup, not just a great player, and this series so far has proved that Detroit is the better team. He would be just as successful if not moreso than Zetterburg if their roles were reversed right now.

Edited June 1, 2008 by GreatBallsOfFire

[Yzerfan1999 81]

It baffles me how we are all so consumed with what Pens fans are talking about - even though we are on the verge of winning the Stanley Cup. I've had enough of "this pens fan said this" and "Crosby obviously sucks and he is a whiner". You should all just admit that you are scared s***less everytime he is on the ice, because I sure am. Then we can all get over it and talk about how good the Red Wings are playing.

[Probert 5 For Fighting 0]

Europeans are masters of obstruction? When did this become finalized? Why didn't anybody send us the memo? And what is this "defense" you talk about?

Signed,

Evgeni Malkin

Sergei Gonchar

Petr Sykora

[hamip1998 3]

I'd like to know what "trap" they are talking about.

Oh, it must be how players drop back and play defense rather than allowing a 3-on-1 rush.

How the hell are the Wings playing a trap and outshooting the Penguins at the same time? The trap is used by unskilled teams to beat better teams. THE WINGS HAVE THE BEST OFFENSE IN THE DAMN LEAGUE, MORONS.

Penguins fans have replaced Avs fans as the dumbest group in the league. At least COL excuses made a bit of sense.

Neutral Zone Trap

Going out on a limb here, and maybe I am wrong, but:

The Wings may trap from time to time, but the vast majority of the time they don't (it may be a variation of a trap, a la the "left wing lock") but not always a true trap.

The key to our defensive success is the quickness of our forwards coming back to play defense. Having the defensive talent that we have doesn't hurt either.

[hamip1998 3]

You should all just admit that you are scared s***less everytime he is on the ice, because I sure am.

Uh, no.

Scared (not s***less, but pretty damn scared) was seeing Fisch almost die on the bench.

The possibility of seeing a kid who really hasn't paid his dues in the league but to who carries himself as if he is entitled to win the Cup break down and cry because he isn't getting his way is joy...pure joy.

[Pavel Bure 0]

You wanna see insane Pens fans look here

http://msgboard.pittsburghpenguins.com/index.php?

There's a couple retards actually arguing that Sid is better than Yzerman and Fedorov. I'm a Pens fan but my God Sid would have to play 20 years at a high level to come close to those 2. I'm pretty sure it starts on page 2.