Crosby, Ovechkin get a little heated

Puck Daddy has the details on this one, including this quote from Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau: "You gotta have spice, get your blood boiling a little bit. Every time Alex is a little more excitable, it ends up being good for us."

It's funny everyone's talking about this game now, and the two didn't even pick up roughing minors in their "altercation." Who would have ever thought Washington-Pittsburgh would become the league's top rivalry?

11 months ago James Mirtle 10 comments 0 recs |

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...Washington-Pittsburgh would become the league's top rivalry?

No. In my opinion, that distinction still belongs to the Bruins & Habs.

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Feb 22, 2009 4:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

In terms of a leaguewide perspective, to me it seems like far more fans are interested in this Crosby/Malkin v. Ovechkin business than anything else. Here in Toronto, fans are definitely more interested in the Caps and Pens than anything involving the Habs and a Bruins team that hasn’t been a contender (before this season) in a long while.

by James Mirtle on Feb 22, 2009 4:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually … if you mean in terms of on-ice entertainment value, you’re probably right.

The Caps-Pens stuff is built on a lot of sideshow-based hype.

by James Mirtle on Feb 22, 2009 6:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

To which Pierre McGuire did nothing to slow down today with his nonsensical between the benches “report” that the Caps players were saying mean things to Sid.

It’s head-shakingly ridiculous to think that this is news. If McGuire is implying that Sid is off of his game from what the guys are saying… My goodness that’s awful.

Gross Misconduct with yours truly

by HockeyJoe on Feb 22, 2009 7:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I’d go with the Battle of Alberta…

by Gould Old Days on Feb 23, 2009 8:24 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

This little scuffle aside, is this a real rivalry, or just an invention of a media corps that has now spent four years hyping Ovechkin vs. Crosby to an absurd level?

by Resolute on Feb 22, 2009 8:27 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Hard to say it’s a real rivalry. They haven’t even met in the playoffs yet.

If you ask the Caps players who they hate more, Pens or Flyers, they’ll say Flyers, guaranteed. Although I wouldn’t consider Washington a true rival like the Pens, Rangers, or Devils are to the Flyers, that’s more of a rivalry to me than Caps/Pens.

by feelingkettle on Feb 22, 2009 8:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

As a Caps fan

This rivalry goes beyond Ovechkin/Crosby, I have more hate for the Pens than I do the Flyers. I think of the Pens as our bigger rivals. Ovechkin/Crosby is just the next chapter of the rivalry, and both teams are pretty respectable in terms of skill. Its no longer a lopsided rivalry either, cause now both teams can beat each other any time out.

by DonCaps819 on Feb 22, 2009 9:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I was down in Washington at the tail end of 2007, and it was pretty clear they weren’t all that thrilled with the Pens or Crosby’s success. And the Caps were playing Buffalo that night.

As I’ve said before, Penguin is a dirty word in Washington!

I probably overstated things by calling it the league’s top rivalry, but it’s certainly up there. In terms of marquee stars, it’s a huge draw from fans that don’t have a side in the battle.

by James Mirtle on Feb 22, 2009 9:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

There seems to be a rivalry between the Red Wings, and whoever else is playing well in the West. I have trouble keeping track of who I’m supposed to hate this year.

by J. Michael Neal on Feb 23, 2009 10:00 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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