We've had some harsh words for the NHL's Reebok Edge-Super-Duper-Mega-Ultra-Awesome-Humungo-Women-Will-Want-You Uniform System. Some of our points of contention include:

-The initial versions of the uniforms were about as breathable as a rubber suit. Players constantly complained the sweat they generated during games would basically be diverted to their gloves and skates.

-The "science" behind the uniform. The NHL's propaganda machine wanted fans to think they were wearing a space suit. Fans just wanted to wear their team's colors.

-The sheer uglieness of them. Apparently the NHL and Reebok felt making a jersey as "loud" as possible with vertical striping and other designs would help sell tuckloads of Predators jerseys.

-Ruining perfection. Taking something as right as the Sharks' logo and turning it into a Voltron villain.

-The pricing. Charging fans $15 more for something uglier was simply disgusting. It was just another example of the NHL taking advantage of its relatively small but loyal fan base.

The one thing we didn't mind about the jerseys, at least from a Penguins perspective, was the removal of the Howard-Baldwin corporate pigeon logo that has been with the team in some capacity since the 1992-93 season. We were never crazy about the logo and weren't sorry to see it go.

Now it seems there's a tangible advantage to being without this sorry thing.

As a commenter pointed out over at The Pensblog, the Penguins are now on a 17-game winning streak without the logo.

The streak dates back to the Penguins' Stanley Cup run in 1992. The first win was a 5-4 overtime win May 9, 1992 against the Rangers ironically enough. The game is commonly referred to as the "Ron Francis Game:"

The Penguins ended those playoffs on an 11-game winning streak that resulted in them beating the Blackhawks for the Stanley Cup. Now after 16 years, several stalled Cup runs, one Kent Manderville era and several top lottery draft picks, the Penguins are on a six-game winning streak after Sunday's 2-0 defeat of the Rangers. This game is commonly referred to as the... uh... "Adam Hall Game." We think:

So clearly, the universe is right again and the Penguins will go 16-0 and win the Cup now that the "pigeon" is no longer with us.

EMPTY NETTER ASSISTS

Eastern Conference

Penguins-Rangers

-The Penguins aren't taking their 2-0 lead for granted.

-The Staals are brothers.

-Gary Roberts will be a game-time decision.

-Ron Cook says Marian Hossa needs to start scoring some goals.

-Should Hossa be taken off the top power play? Vote on it here.

-Jaromir Jagr doesn't hang out at Ross Park Mall.

-The Rangers and their fans should quit complaining about the officials.

-Brendan Shanahan can't do his "reverse-Avery" anymore.

-Game 2 drew average ratings nationally.

-The Rangers need to start relying on their experience.

-New York won't make any major changes for Game 3.

-Michel Therrien laughed at Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist.

-You don't often hear quotes from Albert Einstein and Kevin Stevens used together.

-Can Chris Drury lead the Rangers to a comeback?

-The Rangers want to move the puck more before they shoot.

-It's home sweet home for the Rangers.

-Of the 20 teams to start the playoffs 6-0, 18 have gone on to the Stanley Cup final.

-The Penguins are set for Sean Avery.

Canadiens-Flyers

-Despite being out-shot 34-14, the Flyers beat the Canadiens 3-2. Philadelphia owns a 2-1 series lead.

-Montreal goaltender Carey Price was pulled after allowing three goals on 12 shots.

-Does Habs coach Guy Carbonneau stick with Price or turn to backup Jaroslav Halak.

-Flyers caveman Derian Hatcher was ejected after checking Montreal defenseman Francis Bouillon from behind in the boards.

-Despite winning, the Flyers were unsatisfied.

-Always the epitome of class, the Flyers fans booed the Canadien national anthem.

-Rocky Balboa is a Habs fan:

-If anyone can put a Penguins jersey on the George Cohan statue in Times Square, we'll pay next month's rent/mortgage/car payment/alimony/etc.

(Disclaimer: By "rent/mortgage/car payment/alimony/etc." we mean uh... nothing really. We're journalists. We're poor.)

-Flyers legend Bobby Clarke has a lot of free time on his hands these days.

-Apparently Flyers fans steal purses:

Western Conference

Red Wings-Avalanche

-Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood re-built his game during the 2004-05 lockout.

-Osgood has lost his past six playoff starts in Denver.

-Red Wings forward Darren McCarty has matured.

-Shocking, Colorado forward Peter Forsberg is questionable for Game 3.

-The Avalanche needs to protect the puck better.

-Red Wings defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom is old.

-Even though he's healthy, the Red Wings will not dress forward Kirk Maltby.

Sharks-Stars

-Sharks forward Jeremy Roenick has always tried to measure himself against Stars forward Mike Modano.

-The Sharks were the best team on the road during the regular season. They were also pretty good in Dallas this season.

-The Stars need to figure out what they're doing on their blue line.

-Hockey is starting to get popular again in Dallas.

-Stars forward Brad Richards tied an NHL record with his four-point outburst in Game 2.

-Dallas forward Niklas Hagman has been having trouble finding the back of the net.

-Stars goaltender Marty Turco is playing at a higher level.

-Has anyone seen Sharks defenseman Brian Campbell?

Wales Conference

-Goal-scoring is up nearly half a goal from last season's playoffs.

AHL

-Faceoff-Factor scored an interview with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins defenseman Ben Lovejoy.

Non-Playoff Stuff

IIHF World Championships

-Russia beat Canada, 4-1, in an exhibition game.

-Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin will play for Russia in the IIHF World Championships.

Central Division

-Columbus forward Rick Nash will play for Canada in the World Championships.