How Crosby is hurting the Pens

They have been beaten on the ice, on the scoreboard and in their heads. The Pittsburgh Penguins have flat out come unraveled in their opening playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers. A big reason has to be their captain, and the best player in the league, Sidney Crosby.

First off I want to say it is good to see Sidney sticking up for himself. But there is one problem with that, and it has to do with the "code". It's an unwritten rule in hockey that every tough guy knows. Touch our superstar, and you will have to answer to me. Here's why it is hurting the Pens more than they know.

Each time Crosby gets involved in the post whistle scrums he is forcing one of his teammates to answer a bell they never rung. You love to see players sticking up for their teammates (especially when he is regarded as the best in the world) but is it worth the cost? You can almost directly attribute both of Letang and Adams game misconducts in game 3 to Crosby stirring the pot.

After Crosby took a couple whacks at Bryzgalov's glove after he covered the puck, a scrum ensued. No big deal it happens in playoffs. But then he sweeps Voracek's glove across the ice as he goes to pick it up. Alright, now you have to answer for your actions. Timonen slashes the stick out of his hands and they start to wrestle. Here is where Crosby is hurting his team. Letang knowing it's Crosby in there, feels the obligation to go and challenge Timonen and show him you can't do that to their superstar.

RESULT: Letang takes a game misconduct and is out of the game only 12 minutes in.

Late in the game, Crosby gets tied up with Scott Hartnell in another post-whistle scrum. Craig Adams is on the ice, and seeing Crosby in a tussel, feels the need to jump in and show Hartnell a lesson.

RESULT: Adams takes an instigator penalty and earns himself a game misconduct. Being in the final five minutes of the game he also received an automatic one game suspension.

That is two players directly linked to Crosby's actions, that were sent to the dressing room early. Not what you want out of your best player. It's one thing to have your teammates step up for YOU, it's another when you are putting them in positions that will hurt the TEAM.

TJ MOLLAND