Logan Couture Says Crosby is a Cheater -- and Most People Agree

The Sharks lost Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final to the Pittsburgh Penguins right after Sidney Crosby won a faceoff, passed the puck to Kris Letang, who passed to Conor Sheary, who put it past Martin Jones. Basically, Crosby won the faceoff that led to the goal. But Couture said otherwise. 

"He cheats. He gets away with that. He's Sidney Crosby," Couture said. When asked how Crosby cheats, Couture's response was: "He times them and yet they don't kick him out for some reason; probably because of who he is." 

Crosby won an absurd 71 percent of faceoffs in Game 2, which is nearly impossible to pull off, and 56 percent in Game 1. 

Here is the NHL rulebook's take on faceoffs:

Rule 54 - Face-Offs

(a) Conduct of any face-off commences when the Official designates the place of the face-off and he takes up his position to drop the puck. As soon as the line change procedure has been completed by the Referee and he lowers his hand to indicate no further changes, the Linesman conducting the face-off shall blow his whistle. This will signal to both Teams that they have no more than five (5) seconds to line up for the ensuing face-off. At the end of the five (5) seconds (or sooner if both centers are ready), the Linesman will conduct a proper face-off. If, however:

One or both centers are not positioned for the face-off,

One or both centers refrain from placing their stick on the ice,

Any player has encroached into the face-off circle,

Any player makes physical contact with an opponent, or

Any player is in an off-side position, the Linesman shall have the offending center(s) replaced immediately prior to dropping the puck.

If a center is not at the designated face-off area once the five (5) second time limit has elapsed, the Linesman will drop the puck immediately.

So, basically, Couture is calling for the referees to watch Crosby more closely in the faceoff dot, and I think they should, as lots of people think he gets away with too much.

Sharks or Pens?

My prediction: Sharks in 5. Joel Ward scores the series-winning goal.

Go Sharks beat the Pens.

Comment below to let me know what team you are rooting for. 

Live Blog: Penguins vs. Lightning, Game 7, ECF 2016

Stamkos is in!!!!!!!! This will be epic, especially if he comes back and wins the game for them!!!! The #1 man!!!

Period 1:

So far, scoreless. But I did see a few missed calls that should've been called for the Bolts.

From the eye test it looks as is the Pens have the upper hand but don't worry, we will prevail. Let's go Lightning!!!!!

Yeah right. The shots are eerily almost equal. They are evenly matched right now

Period 2:

OK, this is bad.

1-0 Penguins, Bryan Rust scored.

1-1 because Drouin scored but this time it wasn't disallowed... but I am NERVOUS!

2-1 Penguins... Rust scored AGAIN!!!!

This is looking very very very very bad!!! Because the shots are 19-8 in favour of.. you guessed it!... the Penguins. Lightning need to pick up the pace if they want to win this!

Aaaaand the Penguins have yet another powerplay. Let the penalty kill raaage oooonnn... the Penguins never bothered me anyway!
The Lightning flurries through the air into the ground...Game 7 is spiraling in frozen fractals all around....and one shot crystallizes like an icy blast...they'll never score...the Cup Final is in the paasssst... LET IT GOOOO LET IT GOOOO...
See how nervous this game is making me?
Things are looking bad. Really bad.

Shots are now 22-8 in favour of the Penguins. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS TEAM?

Sorry, everyone I shouldn't have called this a live blog... I should've called it A LIVE RANT. BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING. THE LIGHTNING ARE COLLAPSING JUST ONE GAME AWAY FROM THEIR SECOND CONSECUTIVE FINAL. WHY, WHY, WHY????

PENGUINS GOT TWO MORE SHOTS. PUH-LEASE!!!

ANOTHER SHOT FOR THE PENGUINS. NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Period 3:

The Penguins are totally dominating. The Lightning have no chance now.

STAMKOS JUST MISSED A BREAKAWAY CHANCE!!!!!

It's over. 2-1 Penguins is the final.

Reminder: Live Blog Tonight

Get ready for the wild ride tonight - Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Final, Lightning vs. Penguins, at 8 PM EST. A live blog will be hosted here, with questions in the comments answered.

Let's go Lightning!!!

Live Blog: Lightning vs Penguins, Game 6, ECF 2016

Here I have decided to start something new, a live blog during the game of what I think of the game. Hope you enjoy! I am looking forward to the comments.

Period 1

Fehr has a shot but he didn't score. Serves him right.

Yes!!!! Lightning score!!!! Drouin!!!!!
Oh wait, it's an offside. Why was Mike Sullivan looking for an offside. Nil - Nil.

Penguins score. Of course, using their Penguin  cheating methods *angry face*.

Period 2

2-0 Cheaters. Ugh!

3-0 Cheating Penguins and Crosby scored. NOOOOO!!!

If only that goal hadn't been disallowed.

Period 3

YEAH! BRIAN BOYLE SCORES! 3-1 Penguins.
(True story: 3-2 Penguins)

BOYLE STRIKES AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!! 3-2 PENGUINS!!!!!!!!
(True story: Tie game)

OMGOSH NO!!!!!!!! PENGUINS HAVE A 5-ON-3! WHY BOLTS WHY??

4-2 Pens.

5-2 Pens.

If only that goal hadn't been disallowed!!!

The Curse of the Capitals

When Jeff Schultz left the Washington Capitals in 2013, the next season, with the Los Angeles kings, he won the Stanley Cup. One season after leaving the Capitals. 

Last year, four major players left the Capitals: Mike Green, Troy Brouwer, Joel Ward, and Eric Fehr. Of those four players, only one does not remain in the Cup hunt, and that is Green, as his Red Wings were ousted in the first round by the Tampa Bay Lightning. 

The Capitals ... it was supposed to be their year. But now, we get to sit back, while the BLUES, who are often compared to the Capitals, are in the Conference Final. And they usually get first round exits. AND IT IS NOT FAIR. Because Troy Brouwer is on the Blues, and he scored the series-winning goal in the first round. WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MAKE HIM REGRET LEAVING US. If I see him hoist the Cup those year, I will... I don't know... UGH.

I cannot reemphasize how much I get annoyed when I think about Fehrsie, my former favourite player. AHEM.. I mean FEHR. He is just... infuriating. He scored the game-winning goal for the Penguins in Game 2 and said it gave him more satisfaction that it was against the Caps. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE HIM IN THE FINAL.

Him!!! Wardo!!! My favourite player... at one point. That was in the past. When he left the Caps and got on the Sharks, he said that he is looking to win the Cup and he thinks he will get that chance with the Sharks. That was back when the Sharks were a non-playoff team. But now, for the first time in my memory, the Sharks are in the Conference Finals. I TOLD YOU IT WAS A CURSE.

Unfortunately, either Ward or Brouwer will have to play in the Cup Final. Very, very unfortunately. WE WANTED TO MAKE THEM REGRET LEAVING US. But, there's still hope. The Tampa Bay Lightning are just emerging. All they have to do is destroy Fehr's Penguins in the Conference Finals, then destroy whoever gets to the Cup Final, and I won't have to go through the pain of seeing the curse come true. LET'S GO LIGHTNING!!!!!!!!!!!

Recap: Day 2 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs

And today's (well, actually, yesterday's) winners are........

drumroll, please........

1. THE WASHINGTTTTTTOOOOOOOONNNN CAPITALS!

The Capitals shut out the Flyers 2-1 amid a brilliant performance by immortal beast Braden Holtby.

2. THE NEW YORRRRRKKK ISLANDERRS!!!

My prediction isn't so far off thought this is only Game 1... the score was 5-4.

3. THE DALLAS STAAARRRRSS!

A 4-0 shutout!!

4. THE SAN JOSEEEEE SHARKS!!!!

4-3 capped by a goal by none other than Mr. Joe Pavelski.

I am right in all but 2 series so far. Can't wait to see what's going to happen next.

Day 1 of the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs: A Recap

Let's get right to it so I don't leave you hanging in suspense...

The winners of Game 1 of Round 1 are...

the St. Louis Blues!!! 

the Tampa Bay Lightning!!!

and...

The Pittsburgh Penguins!!!

Can I change my predictions on at least one of the series? 

No, alright, I'll have to live with that the Blues beat the Blackhawks. I'm no glad I didn't pick Blackhawks in four. 

For the Detroit-Tampa series: HOW MANY PENALTIES CAN YOU GET IN ONE GAME?!?!

For the Pittsburgh-NYR series: Funny how things go in the playoffs. We were worried about the Penguins goaltending, but guess who had the edge in net this game? Yup, Penguins.

For the Chicago-St.Louis series: All I have to say is this. It's not a Blackhawks Game 1 without OT. Just saying. Its been that way for 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and now 2016.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

First- Round Playoff Predictions!

Here are my first-round playoff predictions. When it is over, I will see if I was right. Let me know yours in the comment box and you may be featured in this post when I update it!

My sister Asmaa also participated in this... check out her blog at washcaps83.blogspot.com

WASHINGTON CAPITALS VS PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

Me: Capitals in 7

...Because the Capitals are stronger at goaltending, and the Flyers went out of the season with a bang, so it will be hard to maintain their torrid pace in the playoffs. 

Asmaa: Capitals in 6

My teddy bear, Carey: Capitals in 5

..."Because Braden Holtby is my favourite goalie."
Bezubby: Capitals in 6

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS DETROIT RED WINGS

Me: Lightning in 6

...Because in spite of their key injuries (oh. Stammer), they are solid at goaltending and last year's Cup Final run taught them how to play in the playoffs.

Asmaa: Lightning in 7

My teddy bear, Carey: Lightning in 7

..."Because the Red Wings barely made it into the playoffs and because the Lightning are more experienced with better coaching."
Bezubby: Lightning in 5

FLORIDA PANTHERS VS NEW YORK ISLANDERS

Me: Islanders in 7

...I know everyone thinks the Panthers will win, but the Islanders have stronger underlying numbers. as well as more experience.

Asmaa: Panthers in 6

My teddy bear, Carey: Panthers in 6

..."Jaromir Jagr and Roberto Luongo give the Panthers the edge."
Bezubby: Islanders in 7

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS VS NEW YORK RANGERS

Me: Penguins in 5

...The Rangers are nothing without Lundqvist, and the Penguins offence is going to be too much for him because the Rangers defence is thin.

Asmaa: Penguins in 5

My teddy bear, Carey: Penguins in 6

..."They will be led in scoring by none other than Phil Kessel."
Bezubby: Penguins in 7

DALLAS STARS VS MINNESOTA WILD

Me: Stars in 7

...Their offence is amazing and led by Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, this team is tough to beat.

Asmaa: Stars in 6

My teddy bear, Carey: Wild in 7

..."This isn't a popular opinion, but the Wild really turned around their season under new coach."
Bezubby: Stars in 6

ST. LOUIS BLUES VS CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Me: Blackhawks in 7

...I know everyone says the Blues will win, but the Blackhawks are more experienced.

Asmaa: Blackhawks in 6

My teddy bear, Carey: Blues in 6

..."Even though the Blackhawks have gone deep every year since the decade began, they haven't been looking so good this season. And besides, I like picking the dark horse"
Bezubby: Blackhawks in 7

ANAHEIM DUCKS VS NASHVILLE PREDATORS

Me: Ducks in 5

...Its the Ducks and they've been on fire the latter half of this season.

Asmaa: Ducks in 6

My teddy bear, Carey: Ducks in 7

..."It's the Ducks, for goodness' sakes!."
Bezubby: Ducks in 7

LOS ANGELES KINGS VS SAN JOSE SHARKS

Me: Kings in 6

...Remember last time these two teams faced off in the playoffs?

Asmaa: Kings in 7

My teddy bear, Carey: Sharks in 7

..."Like I said, I like picking the dark horse, but this may not be so far off..."
Bezubby: Kings in 6

A big thank you to Asmaa and Carey. All you guys have to do is comment and you'll be featured in this post! Thanks! And I'm still upset that no Canadian team is in the playoffs.

UPDATE: Bezubby commented and decided to participate -- be sure to check out his blog themusingsofaboyoutthere.blogspot.com. Thanks Bezubby!