I'm less angry today. Though it is zero excuse for blowing a three goal lead, the Caps are really good (damn them) and in the words of the late, great Jim Croce, "Sometimes you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you." I still don't feel like rehashing the whole thing, so no recap. There are, however, a couple things to say before laying this game to rest.
I'm not at all sorry that Ovechkin went into the wall awkwardly on Adams' hit, but I don't see how that and the ensuing fight resulted in a power play for the Pens. This was just one of many stupid officiating decisions on Sunday. The refs missed some seemingly obvious calls and then just flat made some shit up late in the game. I understand they're human and all, but there has got to be some kind of standard.
Pierre mentioned that Orpik and Letang were Pittsburgh's new shutdown defensive pairing. While I might be glad that Letang was trusted with that responsibility, the long Waldo Faldo-like debate I had with myself has brought me no closer to a decision. (On one hand, it shows quite a level of respect on the coaches' part. On the other hand, he's an offensive defenseman, so this is weird-ish. On the other hand, if he fills this role well will it mean a greater chance he'll be resigned? On the other hand, if he tanks will they be more likely to let him go this summer? On the other hand, I am unhealthfully paranoid about this.)
I could climb up on my soapbox and explain how NBC lighting a giant pile of money on fire would be as sensible a use for it as paying Milbury and Pierre for their "insights," but my fingers would be broken, bloody stumps by the time I was finished typing.
On a happier note, I just found out we're getting another free preview of Center Ice. It's not as lengthy as the last one, but the timing is pretty awesome. I've got tickets for Feb. 27th (MIA/OSU) and March 2nd (VAN/CBJ), then this free preview runs from March 2-8. Three more Pens games, three more Preds games! Happy hockey week to me!
I'm not at all sorry that Ovechkin went into the wall awkwardly on Adams' hit, but I don't see how that and the ensuing fight resulted in a power play for the Pens. This was just one of many stupid officiating decisions on Sunday. The refs missed some seemingly obvious calls and then just flat made some shit up late in the game. I understand they're human and all, but there has got to be some kind of standard.
Pierre mentioned that Orpik and Letang were Pittsburgh's new shutdown defensive pairing. While I might be glad that Letang was trusted with that responsibility, the long Waldo Faldo-like debate I had with myself has brought me no closer to a decision. (On one hand, it shows quite a level of respect on the coaches' part. On the other hand, he's an offensive defenseman, so this is weird-ish. On the other hand, if he fills this role well will it mean a greater chance he'll be resigned? On the other hand, if he tanks will they be more likely to let him go this summer? On the other hand, I am unhealthfully paranoid about this.)
I could climb up on my soapbox and explain how NBC lighting a giant pile of money on fire would be as sensible a use for it as paying Milbury and Pierre for their "insights," but my fingers would be broken, bloody stumps by the time I was finished typing.
On a happier note, I just found out we're getting another free preview of Center Ice. It's not as lengthy as the last one, but the timing is pretty awesome. I've got tickets for Feb. 27th (MIA/OSU) and March 2nd (VAN/CBJ), then this free preview runs from March 2-8. Three more Pens games, three more Preds games! Happy hockey week to me!

