Old time hockey, coach

[rwsaunders]

[robin3mj]

As a Devils fan living in Caps territory, this outcome does not make me sad. Second only to Redskins and O's schaendefraude.

That said, Ovie is pretty damn incredible and it's somewhat sad to think about him retiring like Marino/Ewing for all his greatness. I went to a Caps game about 8 years ago with a bunch of Aussie rules teammates who didn't know hockey from a hole in the head, and asked them to tell me after five minutes of play, who's the best player on the ice. It was no contest. That's a pretty rare thing in my long life of sport fandom. Matched maybe only by Jordan and Gretzky when it comes to athletes I've seen in person.
You can't observe that kind of dominance in baseball or football, generally.

[j44ke]

How many hits to the head is Crosby going to be able to take before he has to retire?

[mzilliox]

Hell yeah baby, go Penguins! I did not think they had what it takes to get past Washington. Sid has the chance to repeat, maybe hes willing to sacrifice the long term to do whats nearly immortal?

would you?

its a tough question, like doping. when you are elite, you do things you wouldn't do as a hobbyist or serious amateur.

Is Sid taking a chance with his concussions? yeah! Is he about to repeat as Stanley cup champ? most likely. they just beat the 2 best teams from the regular season, why not stomp on the sens and ducks/preds as well. beating the caps was nearly the same as winning the cup anyway.

yup. old time tough ass hockey, and yeah, my beard gets to keep on growin! playoff beard time baby

[rwsaunders]

Sid the kid is a legend here in Pittsburgh and he is viewed at the same level as other local sports heros such as Lemieux, Bradshaw, Harris, Greene, Blier and I'll say it, even Clemente. The players revere him and the Penguins' coaches always refer to his silent leadership and his unselfishness both on and off the ice. The picture of him and Fleury tells the story in some respects...last on the ice in every game and first to congratulate hard work and sacrifice. I quite frankly did not expect Sid to return to hockey after his events in 2010-2102 and you wonder what's on his mind as he charges the net, knowing that he's marked.

Hockey in Pittsburgh is right up there with football and people tend to view the players in a very personal way and players often comment that they are welcomed here and their personal space is respected. Last night for instance, we had 12 high school juniors watching game seven at our house, decked out in their player jerseys, eating pizza, drinking Coke and screaming their lungs out on every critical play. That doesn't happen for Steeler games as hockey seems to generate a different level of excitement, especially among younger fans.

So let's see where the next series goes with the Senators...it's fun stuff for sure.

PS on a side note, Crosby lived in Lemieux's basement during his first several years in the league. Lemieux offered this to Crosby's parents as he lived the same life when he first entered the league and knew the potential pitfalls of fame and fortune when you're 19 years old. Crosby eventually moved out, bought a home across the street from Mario and lives there today.

[mzilliox]

Im from LA area, but my dads from the Burgh. He took me to see a Kings/Pens game when i was young. mario scored 2 men short handed and Ive been a super fan of super Mario ever since. Yes, he was a better player than Gretzky. everyone knows that, even Gretzky.

Sid is incredible, what he can do in the modern era is astounding. and hes so humble.

I had my Kessel Jersey on, my dog had her pens jersey on too. we were both yelling at the tv a lot, and when they scored that second goal, she was so excited! she loves the pens!

Go Pens, I like our road from here on out. The Preds have warmed up in time for the playoffs, but they just had to face the weak teams out west.

Most fans know this was the series to show who was best this year! the cup came 2 series early!

and once more, GO PENS