Have The Habs Figured Out Crosby?

It would be a warm day on the ice before Sidney Crosby was shut out of a series, or so hockey fans thought.  He is currently scoreless in five games against the Montreal Canadiens although there are some assists under his name.  So the question becomes: have the Habs figured out how to leash the machine that is Sidney Crosby?

It is obvious that the Habs have drawn a target on Crosby’s back.  During game five he was almost always covered, even when he didn’t have the puck.  Hal Gill has been a constant and annoying shadow to Crosby almost every shift during this series and when he isn’t on the ice another one of the Canadiens’ strong players is quick to take his place.  Crosby has struggled to break away from the suffocating trackers the Habs put on him and it is obvious to see on the score sheet. 

However, this has highlighted Crosby’s other talents which are sometimes put in the backseat when talking about the superstar.  While he’s not scoring goals, he is assisting in other ways even if it isn’t shown on the sheet.  He was an effective blocker in one game, helping his teammate shoot the puck past a blinded Halak (who has been a major obstacle for the Penguins to overcome this series) even if he wasn’t credited with the assist.  When Jordan Staal was out, Crosby also played a good defense, something he isn’t exactly known for as one of the major goal scorers on his team.  The approach the Canadiens have taken towards their blockage of Crosby also leaves an easier path for others, such as Malkin.  Malkin had a fairly magical fifth game, dancing with the puck and showing why he is one of the best in the NHL.  But did that extra little showing come from having less men to worry about since he wasn’t covered nearly as much as if the Habs hadn’t pinpointed their efforts towards Crosby?

Overall, the Canadiens have looked to figure out Crosby but it may have been at the expense of losing the series as other Penguins are stepping up their game in their captain’s time of need.  With Crosby’s main shadow Hal Gill rumored to be out for Game Six, Crosby may have the break out game he needs to get the non-scoring monkey off his back and return to the former form fans and haters alike are used to seeing.