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Bylsma praises Crosby for drawing controversial penalty

Chris Kunitz, Sidney Crosby

UNIONDALE, NY - MAY 05: Chris Kunitz #14 of the Pittsburgh Penguins scores the overtime game winning powerplay goal at 8:44 against the New York Islanders and is joined by Sidney Crosby #87 (L) in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on May 5, 2013 in Uniondale, New York. The Penguins defeated the Islanders 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Sidney Crosby had a great game, with three assists in 24:08 minutes of playing time, but that’s not what Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma liked most about the Penguins’ captain on Sunday.

“The best set-up he had was drawing that penalty,” Bylsma said, according to ESPN’s Katie Strang.

Bylsma was referring to Islanders defenseman Brian Strait’s holding penalty on Crosby at 8:11 of the overtime period.

That led to the Penguins’ game-winning goal, but Bylsma’s remarks will likely get under the skin of the Islanders’ faithful, given that some disagreed with the call.

Islanders coach Jack Capuano wouldn’t comment on the call directly, but was clearly displeased in his post-game presser.

“I don’t normally comment on the call, I just hope that they’re consistent on how they [officials] make calls throughout the game,” he explained. “I can sit here and say what I want, but it’s not going to do any good.

“It’s not an excuse on why we lost the hockey game.”

Mike Milbury was more direct in his analysis.

“Didn’t like the call,” Milbury said. “Thought it was a marginal call, I think officials in overtime have to be 100 percent sure.

“When you look at this, [Strait] raises his hand, then there’s a slight pull, and then he [gestures that] ‘I didn’t do anything.’

“Not long enough to knock a strong skater like Crosby -- in my opinion -- off of his skates.”

You can see the result of that penalty below: