I think the so called experts think that is because the Pens beat then 4 games to 1 in the season series. Though only two of those games were lopsided. One by the Pens 6-1 and a 4-1 win for the Islanders.
So Baz what do you think about the penality call in OT? A lot of people are saying the refs shouldn't have called it. Personally I think if it's a penality in the 1st period it's a penality in the 4th or OT. If I remember the same type of penaslity was called earlier in the game when Sid was moving to the net and was held in somewhat the same way and it was called. And you right about some of the passing. I hate seeing those blind passes in the netural zone or out near your own blue line. Most of the time nothing good comes from them.
I agreed with the announcing crew, it absolutely was a penalty and was correctly called as such. I don't pay any attention to the whiners, be it fans or biased ex-players/coaches of the NBC studio crew. A penalty should be called no matter the timing or situation. If the Islanders don't want to be penalized in OT, they shouldn't have comitted the penalty. Hauling Sid down prevented a goal, so it was the right decision at the moment. Just don't get upset when you're called for it.
That's one thing that has always irked me about the NHL. A penalty is a penalty. It should be called the same in a game 7 of the Finals as it would in the 1st period of the season opener. I know many fans like the "it's the playoffs, they should put the whistle away and let them play" mentality. I understand, but don't agree. But since they obviously call the playoffs very differently than the regular season, best hope is that they're consistant with what they call/don't call.
As for the Penguins, I'm confident they realize how lucky they were to play that poorly and still get the win. Should see better decisions tomorrow.
Getting Orpik and/or Neal back would be nice, too.
