Carcillo was doomed to be the lightning rod for criticism from the get go due to the price that was paid to bring him here.

Since then, he has been blamed for losing the game because of the Talbot fight (absurd), and for taking ridiculous/stupid penalties that leave the Flyers shorthanded (another inaccuracy).

Criticizing him for lack of productivity is fine, hopefully he will put some numbers up at some point. Otherwise, the guy brings energy to every shift and has refrained from taking excessive penalties like many predicted he would.

But the debate and criticism will always go back to the price paid to bring him here. This debate will never go away and will not change ...unless Carcillo out-produces Upshall in a significant way.

(1)""A lot of this stems from the Pens fans who have made that fight a legendary part of their cup run.""

(2)""I can't count how many times I have heard colour analysts for different teams speak about that being a classic case of a time not to fight.""

1st--But they're Pens fans! WTF do they know! Lol. That's just foolish.

2nd--Being up 3-0, "IS" a CLASSIC case of a time not to accept a fight, just because of the risk factor. Because if you lose the fight, that could possibly give the team that is down a boost or something to rally around. But Carcillo WON! that fight, so that just throws their crap argument out the window. Talbot did do the right thing though. Down by 3, pick a fight, try to create a spark and rally the troops. Didn't work, but other things allowed them to come back.

It boggles my mind every time I hear some of these clown announcers STILL talking of Carcillo and how he lost the series.

Aside from the goals, Carcillo had a hell of a game tonight. He was all over the place, banging guys, parking in front of the net. Made good decisions NOT to fight.

Way to go Carzilla!

Here is the way to look at that situation....

If you were to tell a Pen's fan before Game 6 this is the scenario...

"You are down 3-0 in the second period in Philly and Talbot picks a fight with Carcillo and Carcillo beats the snot out of Talbot, which send the crowd into an even louder and crazy frenzy"

How would you feel about this? Any honest fan would obviously say that isn't the ideal situation.... and I would guess that maybe 1 out of a million would ever say
"Well Talbot got the team fired up, so I'll take that scenario"

It's obvious that had no impact on anything in that game, swatting two pucks out of mid air and the rope-a-dope hockey the flyers played was what caused the collapse nothing the Pen's did.

I don't think they lost the series because of the Carcillo fight, but even Crosby said it fired up his team after the fight. It was a turning point in a key game. Did nothing for the Flyers and helped motivate the Pens. Either way it's history.

I am liking Carcillo's discipline so far this year, looks good on the 4th line.

<Aside from the goals, Carcillo had a hell of a game tonight. He was all over the place, banging guys, parking in front of the net. Made good decisions NOT to fight.>

Actually Carcillo has had three good games in a row. Following the game, Carcillo was interviewed and stated that he's happy to play on a checking line, a role in which he says he can excel at.

i agree with those who posted earlier: CARCILLO'S PUMMELING OF TALBOT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE LOSS TO THE PENS. NOTHING.

so, crosby said that the fight "fired them up." well, in theory, the flyers were fighting for their playoff life so they should have been equally "fired up." especially after the score got closer and closer.

we need to face it: we lost to a better team, a team that was way better coached.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/flyers/20091106_Fourth_line_powers_Flyers_win.html

Tonight he was on the 4th line, he seems to be a good fit there for now. If he can stay disciplined and play like he did tonight, he may up to 3d line duty.