This year’s first draft pick scored his first goal and picked up an assist and was actually chosen to go second in the shootout (he missed his shot).  Pretty good for his first game with the New York Islanders.  “We were in their face for most of the game,” Tavares said. “We played true Islander hockey. The result was disappointing, but we’re playing the Stanley Cup champs and there was a lot of positives to take from it.”

image: TSN

In the end, Pittsburgh Penguins captain, Sidney Crosby, stole the game from the Isles making Tavares’ first appearance a loss.  Crosby scored just 8:50 into the first on a breakaway and then put one behind Dwayne Roloson in the shootout.  Sid added an assist which helped him reach 400 career points in just 292 NHL games.  Just a few years ago, he was the rookie everyone was watching so it’s entirely possible that this was a glimpse of what Tavares could be doing a couple seasons down the road.

“I was so happy for him,” linemate Kyle Okposo said. “There is so much pressure on him and he takes it with such a cool head.”

“When you come as the first draft pick, people expect a lot from you and they want you to change the game,” Penguins netminder, Marc-André Fleury said.

When asked about his impressions of Tavares, Crosby added: “I thought he played well. It’s going to get easier and easier. I played against him a bit and he looked pretty responsible out there. He’s got a nose for the net. He looked strong and he’s only going to get better.”

I’ve got a feeling that Crosby is going to be right – again.

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image: Zuma Press

He really downplayed the seriousness of the injury but then he has been skipping practice.  Coach Dan Bylsma doesn’t feel like he should push Crosby to play or skate and I agree with him.  The season hasn’t started yet and, even if he misses the first couple games, it’s better than him hurting himself even worse and then sitting out for weeks.

The Penguins play their first 2009-2010 game against the New York Rangers on Friday.

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image: Zuma Press

Crosby really didn’t get a chance to play too much at all registering just three shifts and one minute 37 seconds.  “It’s better to stay off it. I’m hoping for just a few days,” Crosby said. “I’ve hurt my groin before. It’s not as bad. I think I missed five games with one last year. It’s just something you have to be careful with.”

Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma said that it was more precautionary than anything and that it’s been tight for a couple days.

“Tomorrow (Friday) I won’t skate, but Saturday I’ll try to get on the ice for however long and test it out,” Crosby said. “It’s kind of a day-by-day thing. I’d love to play Sunday. That’s what I hope but really don’t know with groins. I’m cautious about it but I’m not worried.  It was sore. We all deal with sore groins this time of the year, especially in camp. Usually once you warm up it gets better. I felt it was getting more sore.”

Of the three-hour bus ride to Columbus, he added: “when you’re sitting there it’s tightening up.  It’s probably not the best for it but I don’t think it’s the sole reason. It probably didn’t help.”

Kristian Huselius and Mike Commodore both sat out of the game due to having the flu.  Hopefully, they will get better soon.

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image: Zuma Press

Of meeting the team, Obama said: “This is by far the most fun thing that I’m doing today.”  The guys seemed to have a lot of fun too with Evgeni Malkin even taking out his cell phone to take a picture of Obama from behind which caused enough laughter to make the President pause.

Sidney Crosby got a little extra attention with Obama commending him on being the youngest player to captain a team to the Stanley Cup but added: “Sidney must be really fast because there are some big hockey players — and he’s not one of them. But you know he’s got some speed and some skill.”

Of course, they had to leave Obama with his very own personalized Pens jersey.

image: Zuma Press

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image: Zuma Press

The truth is that back during the 2008-2009 season, I was really worried when they gave Michel Therrien the boot with 25 games left and put Bylsma behind the bench.  I hadn’t heard of him before and I wondered if this was the equivalent of playoff suicide but they went on to post a 18-3-4 record down the stretch and defied a lot of odds to go head-to-head with the Detroit Red Wings.

They ended up losing, of course, but I think that the loss was important.  I think that this team of young players needed to gain experience and overcome the serious disappointment that comes along with coming so close but walking away empty-handed.

I know some people still call Sidney Crosby a whiner but I don’t see a baby anymore when I look at him.  I think he’s earned his captaincy.  Yeah, he’s not perfect and still does the occasional douche move but who doesn’t, really?  Crosby is an incredible player and, more importantly, he got drafted to a seriously crappy team and helped turn things around.  He’s not like the Dany Heatley and Marian Hossas of the world who jump ship when their team is struggling and his dedication to the Penguins has earned my respect.

When you look at the fact that he and Evgeni Malkin have clearly formed an incredible alliance and definitely work well together, it’s hard to believe that, barring injury, this team won’t do well again next season.  I do think they might regret not fighting to keep Rob Scuderi but I could be wrong.

What do you think?  With Crosby, Malkin, Jordan Staal and goalie, Marc-André Fleury, I think they could easily win their division again as long as everyone stays healthy.  If they do manage to win the Cup again, they will be the first team to celebrate back-to-back wins since the Red Wings did it in 1997 and 1998.

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When you look at their combined efforts this past season, they posted 108 goals and amassed 271 points.  That’s pretty encouraging. Even Jordan Staal had to say:  “that’s pretty scary.  When you see those three guys on one line – three star players on their own team and obviously star players throughout the world – it’s something scary.  You don’t want to be lining up against those three.”

Of course, it’s too soon to know how the lines will be configured during the Olympics but just imagining the potential here is pretty incredible.  I think Team Canada is shaping up to be pretty strong this time around.

Crosby said: “I don’t think you can complain about anybody you play with here.  But to play with those two guys has been pretty fun.”

This is the first time that Crosby could be going to the Olympics and he seems amazed with the pace of the practices.  “It’s healthy, guys just want to have fun with it,” said Crosby. “Every guy out here is competitive. It doesn’t mean they’re trying to go out there and show anybody up. They’re just excited for the opportunity to be here and they want to do their best.  Everyone has fun when you’re doing well.”

After the nightmare team that Wayne Gretzky put together for Turin, I’m thinking just about anything would be better than that so this is a good sign.

image: Zuma Press

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image: TSN

I thought the chopper was overkill but he hopped into a tank with Stanley and led a parade through the streets and then even made time for a private visit to a local children’s hospital.

It looks like the people of Cole Harbour (and the surrounding areas) were really happy to welcome Crosby back to Nova Scotia.  I’m guessing his trip home went better than Patrick Kane’s.

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It’s been almost a full day and I still can’t believe it.  I will write more about some things like Marian Hossa’s decision to join up with the Detroit Red Wings to have a better chance at winning and the fact that Evgeni Malkin is now the first Russian player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy but, for now, I’m happy to just enjoy these pictures.

images: Zuma Press

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Sidney Crosby is the youngest captain to hoist the Stanley Cup and after the night he’s had I’m sure the moment feels incredible.

image: Zuma Press

From the start, the Penguins looked like the sharper team but, in the first period, both Pittsburgh and Detroit came out with a lot of intensity but the combination of Maxime Talbot (who scored both goals for the Pens) and the goaltending of Marc-Andre Fleury was simply unbeatable tonight.

By the second period, I kept looking around wondering where the Red Wings were.  It was such a strange game.   They seemed to lack focus, they kept getting called off-side and it really looked like they were either worn out or had given up.  I did think that things might turn around for them when Johan Franzen rammed Crosby into the boards.  The Pittsburgh captain limped over to the bench and then headed to the locker rooms.  He didn’t return for the rest of the period.

During the third period, the Red Wings seemed to have a lot more drive, especially in the second half.  Crosby returned to the game but he coulnd’t move like he needed to.  I’m sure it was hard for coach Dan Bylsma to restrict his star player’s ice time but with Detroit playing harder (and that lone goal by Jonathan Ericsson) he had to put his healthiest legs in the game.  I swear I almost had a heart attack in those last 20 minutes, especially when that shot got past Fleury and hit the crossbar (did you see him rub the net affectionately?  He later said that he was thanking it for making a big save for him – ha ha!!).  If Detroit had brought that intensity from the start, they might be the ones celebrating the win tonight.

After the game, it was pretty great to watch the Penguins hoist the trophy even though they were in Detroit but Crosby explained on Hockey Night in Canada that it was hard to watch the end of Game 7 from the bench.  All of the players were very emotional and Evgeni Malkin was presented with the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Congratulations, Pittsburgh.  You proved that a team can win Game 7 on the road under seriously adverse conditions and that touching the Eastern Conference trophy doesn’t lead to bad luck.  Enjoy your banner year!

image: Zuma Press

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Critics had been questioning Detroit’s play recently with some even referring to them as “shaky” but they showed everyone that they are solid and they sent the Pittsburgh Penguins a clear message – they intend to keep Lord Stanley.

The Penguins were held scoreless in three periods while the Red Wings scored five times.  I think it goes without saying that Pens netminder, Marc-Andre Fleury, looked pretty shaky between the pipes (he was eventually replaced by backup, Mathieu Garon) while his counterpart, Chris Osgood, looked solid and secured a shutout.

I’ve got to say that I was a little disappointed in both Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin for their conduct as the game progressed.  With the team suffering, Malkin took a nasty elbowing call in the second period and then Crosby incurred a slashing penalty.

Crosby was clearly frustrated and I get that but you can’t retaliate by hitting a guy in the back of the leg when you’re the team’s leader.  After that, the Penguins got themselves in all kinds of penalty trouble with six calls against them in the third period alone.  When you’re wearing that “C” or even the “A” and your team is down, it’s time for you to rally and bring your guys together.  They really showed a lack of class, maturity and experience last night.

Game 6 takes place on Tuesday, June 9, 2009 at 8pm ET.  If the Red Wings win, they will have succeeded in winning the Stanley Cup two years in a row.

images: Zuma Press

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