Game Recap: Pittsburgh Penguins 5, New York Islanders 0

Until this team starts looking like a professional hockey team, there seems to be very little point to showing how many points the other team scored. We pride ourselves on being a professional blog with our own opinions interjected into it as most bloggers try to do, and that's exactly what I'm going to do here.

Another pitiful, disgusting loss once again. I knew when Nilsson was announced as the starter, he was going to be the one who was going to have to take this beating. Sidney Crosby was announced as active for this game for the first time in almost a year, so suddenly every sports outlet decided to pick up and watch this game. And oh boy, did Crosby show he was back all right. He made our defense look silly and the Penguins, being faster, tougher and actually having a structure, danced around the Islanders the entire night. The only player who looked to me like he gave it all tonight was David Ullstrom, who clearly went out knowing he had to prove himself. I would keep him up for the foreseeable future, but at the same time I wouldn't want him part of this charade.

This team is just not good. Every aspect of the game they are outplayed in. I place a key part of that on the coaching, as for yet another game the Islanders looked like they had the structure equivalent to peewee hockey. It's becoming embarrassing to watch as a fan. We had somewhat of an excuse last year when we lost Streit and Okposo, 2/3 of our best players. Now it's inexcusable. On the players parts, on the coach's part, and on the owner and GM's parts. How do you explain this to a fanbase that has been dying to see the 2nd round since 1993? How?

You have to congratulate Sidney Crosby on a heck of a comeback, though. Say what you want about Pittsburgh and hate the team all you want, but he showed once again why he is a generational talent that nears, and may very well surpass Gretzky in terms of level of skill. He is one of the most exciting players you can possibly watch in any sport.

What do you do at this point? What can you even hope Snow would do besides trade our upcoming UFAs for draft picks?

As for the next game, the Islanders play the just as tough Flyers at home. I expect a dismal crowd except for the huge influx of Flyers fans. And rightfully so. I wouldn't, nor would I get mad at anyone for not paying to see this product on ice.

- AT