Here are just some random thoughts from being there live:
+ Crosby: Seeing him live at this level is just so much fun. I was there for his hat trick on hat night and tonight. The guy is the most ridiculous hockey player I've seen since Mario. He's so dominant. He does stuff in space that no person should be able to do. He makes the game just look so easy. That pass he took off the left skate with ease and didn't lose a beat was ridiculous. I've played this game forever and wouldn't even imagine doing that and instantly having my head up looking for a play.
He's also the smartest hockey player out there. He's 2-3 steps ahead of anyone. God...I hate to sound like a fanboy, but he's so damn good.
+ Live Experience: I know we give Consol fans **** for not being loud, but looking around tonight changed my perspective. I was sitting in the First Niagra Club and I watched kids act as if it was Christmas morning watching the Pens. It's an amazing thing to think that I was one of those kids in 89, 90, 91, etc. just staring at heroes on the ice. I wish we had a more college like atmosphere, but it's really special to see kids take this game in. Hockey is ****ing awesome.
+ Beauner-ing Live: I thought Beau was good watching television, but now I know he's got a future here in Pittsburgh for sure. He's better than I thought. He's in the right position and surprisingly does a lot defensively that the tv probably doesn't pick up. He's just ALWAYS in the right spot. I think RRP used the word "Creative" earlier and he's spot on. He has a different game that we've been looking for. He was tremendous.
+ Vitale: Why is this guy ever scratched? He was 7-0 in the faceoff dot and won 2 BIG faceoffs against their top line after we got caught on icings. That almost always ends in a goal against or a penalty when a top line comes out against a 4th. Vitale won huge faceoffs and we got Sutter on (who is a boss at shutting down oppositions).
= Vokoun: He's making saves but I can't tell if it's luck or not. I watched him flub 2-3 pucks just dumped into his glove. I don't know why. He looks shaky but then comes up with the save instead. He needs to get his full confidence back. His glove side looked VERY weak.
Minus
- PK: I know the PK was perfect, but they are lucky the Isles didn't score 1-2. We let them gain our zone so easily. There was no pressure. On top of that, they worked the puck through our box like it was nothing. Vokoun came up with some lucky and big saves to keep the puck out. We also had some clutch blocks. I really don't like our PK
- Tanner Glass: He's worse live than he is on television. He's ****ing awful. He flubs everything. I also don't know how he registers hits because he hits them so freaking late after the play it's pointless. He's just garbage out there. The most useless player. Live it was even worse.
Wow