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!!!

My Outtakes on the Capitals Second-Round Loss

"I think this group feels until we win a Stanley Cup, it won't be a successful season," said Capitals coach Barry Trotz after his team's 6-game loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

“The wound obviously is very fresh and we’ve seen this far too often, so pardon me if I sound crushed,” added Joe Beninati, the play-by-play man for CSN Washington. “I am. I am crushed because I believed there were a couple of instances in the third period where the Capitals defied death — they did — and once you get into overtime, it’s anybody’s game. It’s a roll of the dice, but the longer the overtime goes between these teams, especially on a night when you lose Karl Alzner, the longer it goes it favors the team that’s faster. And the team that was faster from the outset in this game was Pittsburgh. They were taking away the boards magically in the first period. The Capitals couldn’t get out of their own zone. It seemed like time after time after time, somebody in black and gold was in their way. But, the way Washington rallied is a sign that this is a different team. Please do not say the word ‘collapse’ to me. Do not say the word ‘choke’ to me. This is not one of those. This is a very good Pittsburgh team that’s moving on to a conference final.”

"It's a failure," Justin Williams said, upset, "The only thing I've processed is that it sucks."

Nicklas Backstrom was adamant. "It's getting old... [on the fans] I love them. They are the best fans. ...I promise we're going to do it."

Matt Niskanen teared up during his interview. "This is the most hurt I've been in my career. … This sucks. I can't believe we're talking about this right now."

But the question remained. Did the Capitals really deserve to lose? They dominated in Games 3 and 4, and they only lost the entire series by one goal. Not only that, but their overtime losses were those that could have been avoided.

And in Game 6, the resilience shown by these Capitals, coming back from 3-0 to 3-3 in the third period is a positive sign.

There were many factors as to why the Capitals lost, and some of those were beyond their control.

But, first of all, just a few points for Penguins fans who are all happy:

Look how the Penguins are right at the top. The referees clearly let a lot of Penguin penalties go. I will discuss these penalties here:

1. Kris Letang's one-game suspension. Brooks Orpik had the same exact same hit as Letang did, and he got three games. When Letang did it, after the protesting of Capitals fans and some more, the NHL agreed to give him a one-game suspension. ORPIK RECEIVED THREE GAMES FOR THE SAME EXACT HIT. They weren't even trying to hide their bias towards the Penguins. 

2. Evgeni Malkin's no-game suspension. Malkin headshotted Daniel Winnik. Seriously.

3. Kris letang's headshot on TJ Oshie.

4. The Capitals disallowed goal and Evgeny Kuznetsov's penalty. Why? I get the disallowed goal part, but why the penalty? It wasn't intentional.

5. Crosby holding Backstrom's stick. He got no penalty.

AND MANY, MANY MORE!!! Also, just for the record, THE REFS LET THE PENGUINS GET AWAY WITH 99% OF THEIR PENALTIES.

So, in conclusion, Penguins fans who are happy, admit your team was handed the series win by the Penguins loving refs.

SHOUTOUTS TO AWESOME CAPITALS PLAYERS WHO DESERVE IT

John Carlson!!!!!

Carlson is the first defenseman in franchise history to record twelve points in the first twelve games of the postseason. Well done!!!!

This guy, along with TJ Oshie, were the best in the series. If anyone deserved to go in a Conference Final, it was those too. Shoutout to Jay Beagle and TJ Oshie. 

TJ Oshie!!!!!

He scored all the Caps game-winning goals in the Penguins series. Also, his hat trick in the first game was epic. YAY TJ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jay Beagle!!!!

THAT SAVE THOUGH. Also, he's a unicorn in disguise. (Reference to Game 1). 

PENBC

IT IS QUITE CLEAR THAT MIKE MILBURY, DOC EMRICK, AND PIERRE MCGUIRE LOVE THE PENS. IT IS ALSO QUITE CLEAR THAT THEY ARE PENS FANS. Whenever the Penguins did a cheap shot they praised the player and justified it, but when Orpik did it he was a "predator." Also, when Orpik was on the Penguins, he was apparently the best player ever but now he is bad. In the eyes of PENBC at least. Well, honestly, I'd rather listen to the Penguins radio. At least they are more objective. Also, PENBC kept saying how the Penguins deserve to win and how the Capitals are really bad. YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE OBJECTIVE, PEOPLE.

Also, Injuries!
There was a number of injuries unknown to people that the Capitals players played through.

1. Alex Ovechkin - lower back injury

2. Karl Alzner - groin injury. He felt it "pop" during game 6. Also, a broken thumb, strained oblique, and pulled hip flexor.

3. Brooks Orpik - cracked femur, concussion, and neck injury

4. John Carlson - broken foot and ankle

5. Marcus Johansson - undisclosed, but he will miss Worlds because of it

The Question of the Day: Why did they lose so badly???

1. Brooks Orpik's poor decisions.

2. Bad defense.

3. Matt Murray.

4. Over-Reliance on the powerplay. 

THE REFEREES LOVE THE PENS!!!!!!!!!!

What do you think happened? Did the Caps deserve to win the series? I say take it to 7 games at least. But, for now, go Lightning!!

P.S. I feel like I didn't get all the missed calls by the refs. please add the ones you saw in the comment boxes. See chart above for proof the league loves the Pens the best. "Golden team"

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!

Will the Capitals Get Past the First Round?

The Capitals could not do it when Braden Holtby needed to break the goalie wins/season record. They failed him and played terribly. In addition, they have lost 3 games in a row, and 5 of the last 7 games. A complete collapse right before the end of the playoffs, which is a bad thing.

As of now, the Caps have only a 47% chance of making it out of the first round, and the Penguins are now the favourites to win the Cup. The Caps might face them in the second round.

I know this is a short post, and I hate being the pessimist here, but I am honestly worried about the Caps' ability to make it out of the first round. What a terrible end to a .... wonderful (?) first half of the season. Well, maybe not so wonderful because it put our hopes up, only to get them down.

What is "Yeast Mode"? Artemi Panarin's Play Has Your Answers...

Artemi Panarin had been expected to become one of the greater Chicago players when he came to the NHL this season to play with the Blackhawks, yet they didn't know where he would fit in with the roster. Little did they know that he would form an amazing chemistry with Patrick Kane to make up a formidable second line for Chicago.

This is the story of two games against the Penguins, who have three of the NHL's best players in Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Phil Kessel. Yet, Panarin managed to overcome them all.

In early January, Chicago had a home and home series against Pittsburgh. In both of these games, Chicago won -- thanks to the Breadman, as Panarin's teammates call him.

Panarin's first impression on the Penguins - lighting the lamp behind Marc-Andre Fleury with a slapshot in the second period to make it 1-0 Blackhawks. Jonathan Toews would add one and the Penguins would tie the game before it went into overtime. 

Overtime was the defining moment for the Breadman, The Blackhawks were passing, passing, passing, and the Penguins just couldn't keep up. Kane threw the puck to Panarin, Panarin threw it back, and so on. Soon, Kane and Panarin were circling around the Penguin net like eagles waiting to kill a Penguin (pun intended) and then Panarin just threw the puck towards the net. The move was so subtle, no one noticed that it had gone in, except for Panarin and Kane. The end. 

Game two started out the same way. The Pens couldn't contain the Hawks' second line. Panarin, Kane, and Anisimov were throwing around the puck and the Pens just couldn't get to it. The Penguins were gasping for air, eagerly awaiting a break in play to catch their breaths, but before they could, it was 1-0 Hawks. Panarin had scored. Panarin would also add the game-winner later with a play so surprising that not even the commentators noticed it at first. 

In this way, Artemi Panarin defines "yeast mode" with his outstanding play. The Breadman uses yeast to elevate his team, and hopefully will continue doing so for years to come (pun intended again).

Capitals-Flyers Recap: ???

The Flyers-Capitals game started out as what looked like it would be a close game that would be won (or lost) by one goal or in overtime or shootout. With no scoring in the first period, the Capitals and the Flyers played a very unexciting game.

The scoring began in the second period. Mark Streit put the Flyers up by one point within the first minute of the middle period. Alex Ovechkin tied the game about halfway through the period when he took Evgeny Kuznetsov's brilliant feed and shot a wrister which ended up in the back of the Flyers' net. Both teams went into the intermission without any further scoring.

Less than four minutes into the second period, Wayne Simmonds broke the tie for the Flyers, flipping the puck past Braden Holtby and into the net. The Capitals battled to tie the score for the next fifteen minutes, failing to do so. During the Capitals' empty net, Jakub Voracek made it 3-1, which was the final score.

The Capitals just didn't seem mentally prepared for this game, possibly the worst they've played the entire season, almost breaking their record for fewest shots on net. And Tom Wilson's penalty couldn't have had more horrible timing, when the Capitals were desperate to tie the score. What makes it even worse is that if the Capitals had been able to win this game, they would've tied the Pittsburgh Penguins for first place in standings points in the Metropolitan Division. The Capitals should have won this game and given themselves the top spot in their division, but they were just not cut out to play this game.

Capitals Fall to Rangers 4-2

Bam. Just like that, the Caps' 20-day point streak is over. They fell to division rivals New York Rangers 4-2 (even though they had unfair referees who didn't call the obvious offside in the third goal against the Rangers, and gave the Caps two horrible penalties), Rick Nash put the puck past Holtby in the first period, and in a second-period powerplay, Martin St. Louis made it 2-0 New York. Rick Nash scored again in the third period, but then Evgeny Kuznetsov made a 2-goal deficit become a 1-goal deficit with an amazing goal in the beginning of the third period that was so subtle almost nobody noticed it. Like, wow...

Obviously, Kuzya was in beast mode today (so was Eric Fehr), and they both had one of the best games of their careers. Then Rick Nash scored on an obvious offside, which the evil ref didn't count, and put the Rangers up 3-1. Ovechkin scored one of his Ovi goals right after that, and it seemed that the Capitals might be able to catch up and make it into overtime at least.

But, no, the ref chose today to be unfair, and gave Nicklas Backstrom a double minor penalty for high-sticking, and Jason Chimera a minor penalty for who-knows-what, making it 5-on-3 for the Rangers, who ended up scoring their fourth goal of the game. Ugh. The factors were obviously against the Caps, who decided to come back too late.

Next game is against the Penguins this Saturday.

Let's go, Caps!