Post Game Analysis
What a game!
A couple of players really stood out. Toews seemed to be everywhere on the ice. Creating chances, backchecking. Between Toews and Kane, adding Seabrook and Keith, I can see why Chicago is one of the top teams in the west!
Nash also played extremely well. Not only did he have several great chances offensively, but was also able to play the shut-down game as Canada got the lead (Hitchcock's fingerprints all over that one).
A couple of players really stood out. Toews seemed to be everywhere on the ice. Creating chances, backchecking. Between Toews and Kane, adding Seabrook and Keith, I can see why Chicago is one of the top teams in the west!
Nash also played extremely well. Not only did he have several great chances offensively, but was also able to play the shut-down game as Canada got the lead (Hitchcock's fingerprints all over that one).
On to Crosby
Time to retire Sid. Stanley Cup, and Olympic Gold Medal in less than a year! Congratulations!
But does anyone else think he is a little over-rated?
Crosby was invisible for most of this game, and really most of the tournament. A couple of offensive flashes, a couple of defensive plays, and a couple of shoot out goals.
Nash was better. Toews was better. The San Jose line (most games) was better. I would even say Iginla was better.
BUT THE LEGEND OF CROSBY GROWS.
Everyone will remember this goal, not his lacklustre performance.
Much like everyone will remember Crosby hoisting the Stanley Cup, but not Sid the Kid (or Sid the Baby) sitting on the bench, injured for most of the game (I am sure he was crying, but I may have made that up). Malkin was the real star of Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup run....
But the Media spotlight will shine on... Crosby will continue to be the face of the new NHL... And Gary Bettman will continue to sit diabolically behind the scenes...
Posts
Come on! Crosby is clutch! A great game, by a great athelete.
ReplyDeleteSteve
You're right, he didn't put up a tonne of points.
ReplyDeleteBut he did perform "in the clutch" as all the top athletes do (eg. Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Mariano Rivera).
The shootout goal to beat the Swiss. The overtime goal to win the gold medal. Sure, they were his only 2 scores of the tournament. But Crosby is the one who got them done.
Would Nash or someone else have scored on the shootout try? Maybe. Could Toews or Iginla have put in that overtime goal. Sure. But Crosby is the one who delivered.
The great players get it done when they need to. It is no small part that Sydney Crosby played in helping the Penguins to win the Stanley Cup and Team Canada to win the gold medal.
He's only 22 years old. You watch the accomplishments pile up in this kid's career.