Good night: High sticks are legal if you’re Sid Crosby
The Lead
Forget all the dickpunching and whining and diving for which Sidney Crosby’s been called out lately. It’s become quite clear that the guy plays with a different rulebook than most other NHL players, and that’s just one of those things you have to accept as a fact of life. It’s the same reason elite pitchers get strike zones you could drive a truck through and NBA defenses couldn’t properly cover Michael Jordan.
So when Crosby reached out and poked at an Evgeni Malkin knuckleball that was dangerously close to being a high stick and scored the against Buffalo in overtime to win 4-3, was there any doubt whatsoever that the goal would stand?
It was a marginal call to be sure. One of those ones where Penguins fans would likely see it as close but clearly a legal play while Sabres fans broke down the footage like the Zapruder Film. It would, of course, be very difficult to make a proper judgment given the available angles. But because of the Crosby factor, what the hell, let’s call it a goal and hit the bar. The officials could huddle around monitors or get the war room in Toronto breaking everything down, but the eventual result, regardless of whether or not it was a high stick, was so plain. It’s not like this was Ryan Stone tipping a puck home. Crosby hadn’t scored in nine games and why not, right? The Pens needed the win anyways.
I’m not even saying it wasn’t a goal or, even if he had played it with a high stick, there was sufficient evidence to overrule the call on the ice. I like Crosby just fine and I have no love for either the Sabres or Penguins. But this is the kind of thing that stokes the ever-burning fires of deep-seated Crosby hatred among NHL fans, particularly those in the Eastern Conference. The calls always go the Kid’s way and they always will. Everyone just needs to accept that. We’ll all be better people for it.
Elsewhere…
Toronto 6, Atlanta 2
You are John Anderson. Your opponent is a so-so defensive team and goes with a goalie is making his first career start. What is your gameplan? Right, only put 21 shots on net. Correct. Also, allow 38 shots to Toronto. Must make a note of that. This, of course, is assuming that you’re playing for Tavares/Hedman rather than the win. In that case, by all means, let Alex Ponikarovsky and Matt Stajan get three points apiece against you. Capital idea.
Edmonton 4, Phoenix 2
Is it too much to discount the idea that Gretzky tanked this one for his old team? Doubtful! That would certainly explain the three separate 5-on-3 power plays and eight power plays overall the Coyotes afforded the Oilers tonight. Edmonton scored on two of them, both in the third when the game was still tied at 2-2, and then just 3-2. Good work, Dogs! Dan Carcillo had another 19 penalty minutes, and while he’s allegedly trying to cut back on that kinda stuff, I will always support him in his quest to break every penalty record known to man. Keep reaching for the stars, Dan-o. Also, Enver Lisin scored the second Phoenix goal and made me very happy.
Vancouver 4, Anaheim 3
Anaheim clearly coasted through most of this one, putting 14 shots on goal in the first two periods before outshooting Vancouver 13-4 in the final frame. Luckily for the Canucks, Daniel Sedin had two goals, including the eventual game-winner early in the third period. Those Sedin boys simply are not top-line players, and that’s why the Canucks needed Mats Sundin. Clearly. And if the crowds at the last few Ducks road games I’ve watched are any indication, Corey Perry is quickly reaching Chris Pronger levels of hatred in most of the Western Conference. Good. He’s a prick and should universally recognized as such.
