Okay, so Malkin didn’t have a multi-goal night, but he had one. One was enough.

Fleury sparkled. Yes, the Penguins need him to be consistent. Last night he was sublime. He could not be beaten. Jaromir Jagr flew around the net and threw a puck in front that hit off of Ryan Whitney’s skate. Looked like a freak goal to me. Not with “Crazy Legs” Fleury in the net.  He kicked that puck away like he was kicking Peter Forsberg in the balls.

The Rangers look horrible. I maintain my belief that they will eventually turn it around, but if Jagr looks as disinterested as he looked last night, they may not. If any team has Jagr on it, they have to be able to manage his mood swings. If he’s unhappy, you’re sunk. The Rangers may be sunk. And what was with Edzo saying that he talked to Jagr before the game and Jagr said that he wanted to retire a Penguin? Seriously? I’d welcome it.

From Gretzky to Lemieux

There’s a new book coming out about the 1987 Canada Cup where Mario Lemieux scored the tournament winning goal against the Soviets on a pass from Gretzky. Lemieux always credits this experience as a turning point in his career. That being with the best players in the world taught him how to become the best in the world. I believe him. This book asserts, however, that Gretzky took Mario directly under his wing and that without Gretzky, Lemieux would have never become the legend that he was.

Are you serious?

Wait, you are?

The greatest natural athelete the game has ever seen would never have become a legend if Gretzky didn’t teach him how?

This is why I hate Canada. Seriously. To assert that Mario would never have been as great as he was without Gretzky is foolish. Mario could pass like Gretzky, was a stronger skater, and had a better shot. This is foolish.

In January of 2006, Mario Lemieux called a press conference to announce he was retiring for the second time. This time it was due to an irregular heart beat. It was a tearful event, as Mario told the young players on the team and around the league to, “enjoy it while it lasts.”

He opened the press up to questions. I shit you not, the first question came from some reporter, employed by some Canadian media outlet. I am recalling this from memory, but I have a pretty damn good memory.

“Would you say that playing with Wayne Gretzky in the ‘87 Canada Cup was one of the big reasons you were so successful?”

Mario smiled.

“Yes, uh,” he said. “It was a great learning experience.”

While Mario was still giving his answer, this Canadian douchebag interrupted him and asked:

“Have you talked to Wayne today?”

Yes, that’s right, because every great player has to talk to the almighty Gretzky before he decides to give it up. Give me a break. The man, one of the greatest players ever, hangs up the skates and the first question asked was about Wayne Freakin’ Gretzky??? Even when he retired, he never received the respect he deserved.

And now, we get this book. It never stops, Mario will never be out of Wayne’s shadow.