It might of been the most riveting regular season hockey game I have ever witnessed in my life. You know, in my Monday write up on Sid I said I thought this is what he would expect from himself. He only knows how to play the game one way and last nights game was a statement to the rest of the National Hockey League.
After ten months of injury, first shot of the game off the backhand of Sidney Crosby jumps up over Nilsson's left shoulder and hits the the top of the net. The perfect story, right? The greatest hockey player in the world did an amazing thing last night. How about his smooth backhand pass over to teammate Brookes Orpick for a one time rip top shelf.
Scoring again later in the game just added the icing on the cake. There's so many different ways in which you can script this story and write about the hype surrounding the Pittsburgh Penguins. Every media outlet, sports writer and newscast is featuring this focal point of the Penguins. Can they stay healthy? Will they win the cup? Will Sid continue to climb the scoring ladder? Are they as good or better than the team that went to back-to-back cups just a few seasons ago?
So whats my take. The Penguins are #1 in my Power Rankings for a reason. The Eastern Conference and Atlantic Division will remain tough with the resurgence of the New York Rangers and ever present Philadelphia Flyers. They need to stay healthy all year long. The chemistry between new line mates needs to grow and that deadly powerplay needs time to work their magic. Will Sid climb the scoring latter? That doubt from some will soon be nullified. Who can stop a line in the NHL of James Neal, Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Brooks Orpick and Kris Letang. Probably no one.
You have your critics, of course. So what he scored four points against a team with 13 total points all year and two wins in the last fourteen games. Generally speaking, the Islanders are the worst team in the NHL. So what will happen when he plays Detroit, San Jose, Philadelphia?
It does not matter. The magnitude and the level of play that Sidney Crosby brings to the ice is greater than anyone who laces up a pair of hockey skates. These are the types of stories you reminice about when your older as some of the greatest things you have witnessed in your life when it comes to sports. Sure - I'm a diehard Pens fan and supported them through their tough years even before Mario bailed them out. But Penguins fan or not, last night you had to be moved by the performance you saw on the ice.
The rest of the team just watched their captain return at a pivitol moment early in the season. Down a few games from last week, they rise up to the occasion and rout the Islanders 5-0. If this is a sign of things to come for Sid and the rest of the Pens. Beware.
I will always remember the day Sidney scored the winning goal in the shootout of the Winter Classic. I will always remember the goal #87 scored to win the Olympic Gold for Canada. I will always remember when Sid rushed his hand shake with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman to lift Lord Stanely as the youngest captain ever to win the cup.
I'll always remember the return of the brightest young star in professional sports coming back and just adding another piece of his greatness to his legacy.
This is great for Sidney and the Penguins. Great for the NHL and amazing for Penguins Nation.
Let the ride to Lord Stanley begin (again)
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