Crosby isn't a scoring machine because he won't go OPS

[adam14 182]

finally i found somebody who agrees, that when your in a slump, its the stick! :D

[chippa13 1844]

epstud74: Gretzky played against "crap" goaltenders. So many of his goals were gemmies compared to today's game.

Not taking anything away from Gretzky, but you have to shot alot harder/better to beat the goaltenders now.

Technology and training techniques have made both sides of the equation better. I suppose Orr, Howe, and Bobby Hull are awful players, too.

[mack 44]

I had a slump like that once and made an all-star team.

[skeeter14 0]

the two piece REALLY stopped him last night didn't it ;)

[Chadd 916]

I think his struggles have more to do with the fact that for the first time ever in his career he's been banged up.

Ankle last year....ribs/whatever the hell it is this year.

Chronic groin injuries don't go away.

http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/hockey/209273

Sidney Crosby left the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-2 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets early in the first period Thursday night because of a groin injury that the team said wasn't believed to be serious.Crosby played three shifts totaling 1 minute, 37 seconds before skating to the bench about 5 minutes into the game.

[furlanitalia 1]

What an absolutely moronic article. Definitely a slow news today. I'd love to see Crosby pop 50 this year, make a case for sticking with what works.

EDIT: on iPhone and didn't see the date. Still think it's a ridiculous article.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

I think his struggles have more to do with the fact that for the first time ever in his career he's been banged up.

Ankle last year....ribs/whatever the hell it is this year.

Chronic groin injuries don't go away.

http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/hockey/209273

Sidney Crosby left the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-2 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets early in the first period Thursday night because of a groin injury that the team said wasn't believed to be serious.Crosby played three shifts totaling 1 minute, 37 seconds before skating to the bench about 5 minutes into the game.

I just traded Crosby away in my fantasy league for Thronton and Rafalski. Go me.

[dsjunior1388 81]

Of the 1016 goals scored by Gretzky in 1695 NHL regular season and playoff games, what % were "gemmies" against "crap" goalies? Some of those "crap" goalies being Billy Smith, Pelle Lindbergh, Tom Barrasso, Ron, Hextall, Ed Belfour, Dom Hasek, and, oh, Patrick Roy? Yes, "they" said Gretzky had no shot but "they" were wrong about a lot of things about Gretzky.

As for Brodeur's elbow tendon, the doctor performing the surgery said that the tendon was 80% torn before surgery. Dr. John Brown could not have saved Brodeur from that injury!

Gretzky himself said numerous times he was not a great shooter. What he was great at was exploiting space and time, and having the patience to pick his spots and shoot at just the right millisecond to hit twine.

He also is the all-time leader in empty net goals... :P

[camhockey16 5]

i would argue that his curve (or lack of) hurts his shot way more than using a two piece or wooden blade - i think he even admitted that at the end of the season and said he was going to work on his shot

[gxc999 7]

I think his struggles have more to do with the fact that for the first time ever in his career he's been banged up.

Ankle last year....ribs/whatever the hell it is this year.

Chronic groin injuries don't go away.

http://hockey.fantasysports.yahoo.com/hockey/209273

Sidney Crosby left the Pittsburgh Penguins' 5-2 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets early in the first period Thursday night because of a groin injury that the team said wasn't believed to be serious.Crosby played three shifts totaling 1 minute, 37 seconds before skating to the bench about 5 minutes into the game.

I'm not a huge fan of his, but I totally empathize. Chronic groin injuries suck!

[B19Kress 0]

Bring this thread back alive with Sid getting to 30 goals quicker than ever before.

[Law Goalie 147]

Now that's a quality thread-bump.

[farhanshak 1]

he put up some decent numbers goal wise in his first season as well

i think now, as he has always stated too, he is making more of an effort to shoot and not always looking for pass-pass-and shoot last.

its more hmmm...do i pass or shoot. forget it i already scored. BOO YAH!!!

[mik3 1]

He has a slapshot that people have to somewhat respect now. He's not Rolston but it still has to be accounted for. I think that's made a big difference in his overall game this year. And the slap pass isn't all for show anymore.

[Da Beez 0]

I find Crosby's anticipation and his willingness to go into high traffic areas have really helped him out this year. It's not really about a huge shot for Crosby, he's beating goalies with a quick release from 15ft and closer.

[lotus 2]

His shot has made me a huge fan. It's scary to think about him getting better.

[TheHerminator22 0]

He has a slapshot that people have to somewhat respect now. He's not Rolston but it still has to be accounted for. I think that's made a big difference in his overall game this year. And the slap pass isn't all for show anymore.

How about his slapper goal against Philly? That was probably the hardest I've seen the guy shoot.

[Leafsrule16 5]

Isn't it ironic someone starts this article, everyone shouts bs at it, but when he does go with a composite he does a lot better? I'm not saying by any means its the stick, I'm saying maybe the stick gave him some confidence to shoot, who knows? All i know is he sure is scoring goals as of late.

[camhockey16 5]

with the work ethic that crosby has - i would imagine he practiced his slapshot a lot over the summer - the stick helps i'm sure, but i doubt that is the only reason.

[Trooper 8]

He worked on his shot in the off season and has scored a few goals from farther out than in the past, but the main thing is he's shooting a lot more.

[camhockey16 5]

agreed - he is definitely making a concious effort to shoot more

[Trooper 8]

agreed - he is definitely making a concious effort to shoot more

So it's only a matter of time before people start criticizing him because his assists have dropped... :)

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

agreed - he is definitely making a concious effort to shoot more

So it's only a matter of time before people start criticizing him because his assists have dropped... :)

I think its funny how Sid got picked on for not shooting, and OV got picked on for not passing, and how they have both rounded out their game this season.

[Chadd 916]

agreed - he is definitely making a concious effort to shoot more

So it's only a matter of time before people start criticizing him because his assists have dropped... :)

I think its funny how Sid got picked on for not shooting, and OV got picked on for not passing, and how they have both rounded out their game this season.

Ovechkin has been passing too much at times lately.

[RiSeOnFiRe 0]

agreed - he is definitely making a concious effort to shoot more

So it's only a matter of time before people start criticizing him because his assists have dropped... :)

I think its funny how Sid got picked on for not shooting, and OV got picked on for not passing, and how they have both rounded out their game this season.

Ovechkin has been passing too much at times lately.

The team in general does that from time to time. They know they are good and try to have tic-tac-toe plays resulting in a tap in goal far too often.