Wayne Gretzky steps in after Sidney Crosby penalty sparks Penguins-Flyers playoff outrage
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Daniel Lucente
Apr 24, 2026 (12:10)
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Photo credit: © Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Wayne Gretzky defended Sidney Crosby, and this Penguins vs Flyers playoff mess now feels bigger than one bad whistle.
Gretzky did not just disagree with an embellishment call.
He protected the standard around Crosby, who took Garnet Hathaway's stick to the face and still got sent off too.
That matters because Pittsburgh already trails Philadelphia 3-0 after a 5-2 Game 3 loss.
The Flyers smelled chaos and attacked it.
Crosby still had the secondary assist on Evgeni Malkin's opening goal, his first point of these playoffs.
Sidney Crosby Leaves Pittsburgh Penguins At The Breaking Point
Fans are right to be angry, not because Crosby is untouchable, but because the ruling punished reaction more than contact.
Pittsburgh needs Crosby low, drawing sticks, winning body position, and forcing Philly's blue line to defend under stress.
If officials make that battle feel risky, the Penguins lose their best playoff pressure point.
Philadelphia benefits because its forecheck already has Pittsburgh rushing exits and chasing scraps through the neutral zone.
Gretzky's voice gives the argument weight, but it does not change the series math.
Game 4 is now about discipline, net-front courage, and whether Pittsburgh can stop reacting emotionally.
One more loose period, and this call becomes part of the ending, not the excuse.
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