SportsNation Blog Archives NHL

Voices: Can Penguins win without Crosby?

May 2, 2013

May

Sidney Crosby has been out since suffering a broken jaw on March 30 against the New York Islanders, and it looks like the Pittsburgh Penguins will be without their captain when they open the playoffs against that same Islanders team. Crosby has not been cleared by doctors to play and will miss at least Game 1 of the Penguins' opening-round playoff series. Pittsburgh earned the Eastern Conference's top seed despite not having Crosby for the last 12 games of the season. Do they need him to advance in the playoffs?

Damastes0714: " The Penguins need Crosby to win the Cup, but I don't think they need him to win this series. They'll take their time with him. If we see him in this series its because the Pens NEED him, but I wouldn't expect him until Round 2."

Jacob880711: " This is why shero went out and got players like Iginla, Murray, Morrow, and Jokinen. There's no need to have him rush back. The pens will be fine tonight."

Hoss3138: " Came over here to say that the Pens will win this series without Crosby … they're that good."

Whisky tango 333: " Man, if only the Penguins had guys like Evgeni Malkin, James Neal, Jerome Iginla, Jussi Jokinen, Brendan Morrow, Kris Letang, they wouldn't need a guy like Crosby for a weak first-round playoff matchup. Oh wait."

danthefan1004: " It's the playoffs. If Crosby was ready he'd be playing. They are not sitting him out because it's only the Islanders that they're playing. That is ridiculous."

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Quiz: Past 10 Stanley Cup champions?

April 30, 2013

Apr

The Stanley Cup is the most distinctive trophy in all of sports and one of the most revered. It's definitely the coolest -- what other trophy is handed off from player to player in the offseason for their own purposes? The race to win the Cup this year starts Tuesday, and it's bound to be exciting. Can you name the past 10 teams to take it home? Take our quiz now!

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Rank 'Em: NHL Playoff Power Rankings

April 28, 2013

Apr

It took until the final game of the regular season, but the Red Wings clinched a playoff berth for the 22nd consecutive season. Where does Detroit stack up among the rest of the playoff competition? Click on the images to set your rankings of the 2013 playoff teams.

Records through April 27, 2013.

Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks
36-7-5, 77 points

Blues

St. Louis Blues
29-17-2, 60 points

Bruins

Boston Bruins
28-13-6, 62 points

Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens
29-14-5, 63 points

Canucks

Vancouver Canucks
26-15-7, 59 points

Capitals

Washington Capitals
27-18-3, 57 points

Ducks

Anaheim Ducks
30-12-6, 66 points

Islanders

New York Islanders
24-17-7, 55 points

Kings

Los Angeles Kings
27-16-5, 59 points

Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs
26-17-5, 57 points

Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins
36-12-0, 72 points

Rangers

New York Rangers
26-18-4, 56 points

Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings
24-16-8, 56 points

Senators

Ottawa Senators
24-17-6, 54 points

Sharks

San Jose Sharks
25-16-7, 57 points

Wild

Minnesota Wild
26-19-3, 55 points

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Rank 'Em: 2012-13 NHL Power Rankings

April 22, 2013

Apr

Our hockey gurus give you their take on the proper pecking order in the NHL each week with the ESPN.com Power Rankings, but that's only part of the equation. What's your take on the contenders, the pretenders and those in the middle? Click on the logos to cast your ballot.

Records through April 21, 2013.

Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche
15-23-7, 37 points

Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks
34-5-5, 73 points

Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets
22-17-7, 51 points

Blues

St. Louis Blues
24-18-3, 51 points

Bruins

Boston Bruins
27-12-5, 59 points

Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens
27-13-5, 59 points

Canucks

Vancouver Canucks
25-13-7, 57 points

Capitals

Washington Capitals
25-18-2, 52 points

Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes
19-17-8, 46 points

Devils

New Jersey Devils
17-18-10, 44 points

Ducks

Anaheim Ducks
28-11-6, 62 points

Flames

Calgary Flames
19-22-4, 42 points

Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers
20-22-3, 43 points

Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes
18-24-3, 39 points

Islanders

New York Islanders
24-16-5, 53 points

Jets

Winnipeg Jets
23-19-3, 49 points

Kings

Los Angeles Kings
26-14-5 57 points

Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning
17-24-4, 38 points

Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs
25-15-5, 55 points

Oilers

Edmonton Oilers
17-20-7, 41 points

Panthers

Florida Panthers
13-26-6, 32 points

Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins
34-10-0, 68 points

Predators

Nashville Predators
15-21-9, 39 points

Rangers

New York Rangers
24-17-4, 52 points

Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings
20-16-8, 48 points

Sabres

Buffalo Sabres
19-20-6, 44 points

Senators

Ottawa Senators
23-15-6, 52 points

Sharks

San Jose Sharks
24-14-7, 54 points

Stars

Dallas Stars
22-19-4, 48 points

Wild

Minnesota Wild
22-17-7, 51 points

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Rank 'Em: 2012-13 NHL Power Rankings

April 15, 2013

Apr

The Blackhawks and Penguins are neck and neck atop the NHL standings, as both teams clinched their respective division titles. They Red Wings don't want to see their streak of 21 consecutive playoff appearances snapped, but holding off the Stars for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West won't be an easy task. How do the league's 30 teams stack up?

Records through April 14, 2013.

Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche
14-22-6, 34 points

Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks
32-5-4, 68 points

Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets
19-16-7, 45 points

Blues

St. Louis Blues
23-16-2, 48 points

Bruins

Boston Bruins
26-11-4, 56 points

Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens
26-10-5, 57 points

Canucks

Vancouver Canucks
23-12-6, 52 points

Capitals

Washington Capitals
23-17-2, 48 points

Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes
18-16-7, 43 points

Devils

New Jersey Devils
15-16-10, 40 points

Ducks

Anaheim Ducks
27-10-5, 59 points

Flames

Calgary Flames
16-21-4, 36 points

Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers
17-21-3, 37 points

Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes
17-22-2, 36 points

Islanders

New York Islanders
21-16-5, 46 points

Jets

Winnipeg Jets
21-19-2, 44 points

Kings

Los Angeles Kings
24-14-4 52 points

Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning
17-22-3, 37 points

Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs
23-13-5, 51 points

Oilers

Edmonton Oilers
16-18-7, 39 points

Panthers

Florida Panthers
13-22-6, 32 points

Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins
32-10-0, 64 points

Predators

Nashville Predators
15-20-8, 38 points

Rangers

New York Rangers
21-16-4, 46 points

Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings
20-15-7, 47 points

Sabres

Buffalo Sabres
18-19-6, 42 points

Senators

Ottawa Senators
21-14-6, 48 points

Sharks

San Jose Sharks
21-13-7, 49 points

Stars

Dallas Stars
21-17-3, 45 points

Wild

Minnesota Wild
22-16-3, 47 points

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Rank 'Em: 2012-13 NHL Power Rankings

April 8, 2013

Apr

The Penguins, who have lost two of their three games to start off April, and the Blackhawks, who have won three of their first four games this month, continue to flip-flop atop the NHL standings. Which team do you see as the league's best?

Records through April 7, 2013.

Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche
12-21-5, 29 points

Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks
29-5-4, 62 points

Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets
16-16-7, 39 points

Blues

St. Louis Blues
21-14-2, 44 points

Bruins

Boston Bruins
24-9-4, 52 points

Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens
25-8-5, 55 points

Canucks

Vancouver Canucks
21-11-6, 48 points

Capitals

Washington Capitals
20-17-2, 42 points

Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes
17-15-6, 40 points

Devils

New Jersey Devils
15-14-10, 40 points

Ducks

Anaheim Ducks
26-8-5, 57 points

Flames

Calgary Flames
13-20-4, 30 points

Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers
17-18-3, 37 points

Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes
16-19-2, 34 points

Islanders

New York Islanders
19-16-4, 42 points

Jets

Winnipeg Jets
19-19-2, 40 points

Kings

Los Angeles Kings
22-13-4 48 points

Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning
16-20-2, 34 points

Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs
21-13-4, 46 points

Oilers

Edmonton Oilers
16-15-7, 39 points

Panthers

Florida Panthers
13-20-6, 32 points

Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins
29-10-0, 58 points

Predators

Nashville Predators
15-17-8, 38 points

Rangers

New York Rangers
19-15-4, 42 points

Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings
19-15-5, 43 points

Sabres

Buffalo Sabres
16-17-6, 38 points

Senators

Ottawa Senators
19-13-6, 44 points

Sharks

San Jose Sharks
20-11-7, 47 points

Stars

Dallas Stars
18-17-3, 39 points

Wild

Minnesota Wild
22-14-2, 46 points

Your Rankings

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Rank 'Em: Your favorite sports

April 1, 2013

Apr

As legions of baseball fans rejoice at the return of the game on Opening Day after a long (so very long) winter, another segment of fans is slamming the game for its juiced-up players, slow pace and competitive imbalance.

"Playing baseball is fun, but watching it (TV or in person, I've tried both) gives me the sudden urge to stab myself in the eyeballs."
-KyKelloggs84

"Let me know when they get a salary cap. Not a fan of a league that allows one player to make more than an entire team."
-Sprewell choke

"Baseball is done. It will never, ever return to its heights back in the day. The game is too slow, way too many games in the season, a lot of overpaid out of shape players, everyone is on something, and way too many bad teams. Theres a lot of changes the league would have to do, but never will as they are too stuck on hanging onto "tradition" of the game, which is what I believe is a big part of why its struggling."
-dom3983

Does this mean interest in baseball is waning? Where does the game rank right now among your favorite sports to both play and watch? Simply click on the images below to submit your ballot.

Baseball

NFL

College football

NBA

College basketball

NHL

NASCAR/Racing

Tennis

Golf

Boxing

Mixed Martial Arts

Action

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Rank 'Em: 2012-13 NHL Power Rankings

April 1, 2013

Apr

The Penguins have dethroned the Blackhawks at the top of the league standings after extending their winning streak to 15 games. But will Pittsburgh be able to remain there without Sidney Crosby, who is out indefinitely after suffering a broken jaw?

Records through March 31, 2013.

Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche
12-18-4, 28 points

Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks
26-5-3, 55 points

Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets
15-14-7, 37 points

Blues

St. Louis Blues
17-14-2, 36 points

Bruins

Boston Bruins
22-8-4, 48 points

Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens
22-7-5, 49 points

Canucks

Vancouver Canucks
19-10-6, 44 points

Capitals

Washington Capitals
16-17-2, 34 points

Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes
14-15-6, 34 points

Devils

New Jersey Devils
15-11-9, 39 points

Ducks

Anaheim Ducks
23-7-5, 51 points

Flames

Calgary Flames
13-16-4, 30 points

Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers
15-17-3, 33 points

Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes
16-15-2, 34 points

Islanders

New York Islanders
16-16-3, 35 points

Jets

Winnipeg Jets
18-16-2, 38 points

Kings

Los Angeles Kings
20-12-3 43 points

Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning
15-18-1, 31 points

Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs
20-12-4, 44 points

Oilers

Edmonton Oilers
14-13-7, 35 points

Panthers

Florida Panthers
11-19-6, 28 points

Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins
28-8-0, 56 points

Predators

Nashville Predators
14-14-7, 35 points

Rangers

New York Rangers
16-15-3, 35 points

Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings
17-13-5, 39 points

Sabres

Buffalo Sabres
13-17-6, 32 points

Senators

Ottawa Senators
19-10-6, 44 points

Sharks

San Jose Sharks
17-11-6, 40 points

Stars

Dallas Stars
16-15-3, 35 points

Wild

Minnesota Wild
21-11-2, 44 points

Your Rankings

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How much will the Penguins miss Crosby?

March 31, 2013

Mar

On the same night Jarome Iginla made his Penguins debut, the NHL's hottest team suffered a significant loss. No, it wasn't their win streak -- which is now at 15 games -- but their star player, Sidney Crosby. The league's leading scorer took a puck to the jaw and is out indefinitely after surgery. How much will his absence hurt the Penguins? And does it mean the end of their pursuit of the win streak record?

bigbounce4321: "the hockey world is at a loss when Sidney Crosby is not on the ice. I wish him nothing more then a speedy recovery AND NO CONCUSSIONS. I really hope he is ok."

Patrice9331: "I'm a huge Habs fan .. but I hate the idea of Crosby being injured. He is the best hockey player in the world and a true ambassador for the sport. If the Habs beat the Pens in the East Final, I want Crosby in the lineup!"

The Noonan: "Good thing the Pens also have the second best player in the league. Lead us home, Geno."

PPG Welder: "Haters go on and hate. Pens will likely beat your team without Crosby."

_UnholyLivingDead_: "Pens still loaded with talent and Crosby will be back by the playoffs."

Join the conversation or respond by signing in or creating a profile and blogging.

A Pyrrhic victory?

The Penguins picked up their 15th straight win Saturday but lost their star center indefinitely.

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Rank 'Em: 2012-13 NHL Power Rankings

March 25, 2013

Mar

The Penguins are the NHL's hottest team, having won 12 consecutive games, but it's the Blackhawks who still sit atop the standings. Which team is the league's best?

Records through March 24, 2013.

Avalanche

Colorado Avalanche
11-16-4, 26 points

Blackhawks

Chicago Blackhawks
24-3-3, 51 points

Blue Jackets

Columbus Blue Jackets
13-13-6, 32 points

Blues

St. Louis Blues
17-12-2, 36 points

Bruins

Boston Bruins
20-7-3, 43 points

Canadiens

Montreal Canadiens
20-6-5, 45 points

Canucks

Vancouver Canucks
17-9-6, 40 points

Capitals

Washington Capitals
15-16-1, 31 points

Coyotes

Phoenix Coyotes
13-14-4, 30 points

Devils

New Jersey Devils
15-11-6, 36 points

Ducks

Anaheim Ducks
22-5-4, 48 points

Flames

Calgary Flames
12-14-4, 28 points

Flyers

Philadelphia Flyers
13-16-2, 28 points

Hurricanes

Carolina Hurricanes
15-13-2, 32 points

Islanders

New York Islanders
14-15-3, 31 points

Jets

Winnipeg Jets
17-14-2, 36 points

Kings

Los Angeles Kings
17-12-2, 36 points

Lightning

Tampa Bay Lightning
13-18-1, 27 points

Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs
17-12-3, 37 points

Oilers

Edmonton Oilers
11-12-7, 29 points

Panthers

Florida Panthers
9-18-6, 24 points

Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins
25-8-0, 50 points

Predators

Nashville Predators
13-13-6, 32 points

Rangers

New York Rangers
15-13-3, 33 points

Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings
16-11-5, 37 points

Sabres

Buffalo Sabres
13-15-4, 30 points

Senators

Ottawa Senators
17-9-6, 40 points

Sharks

San Jose Sharks
13-11-6, 32 points

Stars

Dallas Stars
15-13-3, 33 points

Wild

Minnesota Wild
18-10-2, 38 points

Your Rankings

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