By Josh Yohe

Published: Thursday, February 21, 2013, 3:27 p.m.
Updated: Thursday, February 21, 2013

NBC hockey analyst Mike Milbury compared Penguins stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin to "crack addicts" because of their desire to play in the offensive zone during Wednesday's game against Philadelphia.

Some of the Penguins, including Crosby, weren't amused by the remark.

"The big guys, Malkin and Crosby," Milbury said. "They're like crack addicts. They can't get enough of this offensive stuff. They want to go coast to coast and score goals, but it leads to some trouble."

Milbury, the former Boston Bruins coach, is no stranger to ripping Crosby. He produced waves last season when he called Crosby a "punk" and "little goodie two shoes."When told of Milbury's latest comment, Crosby could only shake his head.

"I wasn't aware of it," Crosby said, with more than a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "He watches so much hockey, he must know. I'll try to do a better job of playing defensively."

One of Crosby's teammates also chimed in.

"It's a little irritating," Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen said. "I try not to get too flustered by it. He always has a bonehead remark to make."

Milbury's rivalry with the Penguins dates to 1991, when he coached the Bruins. He referred to former Penguins coach Bob Johnson as the "Professor of Goonism" during a series that the Penguins won in six games on their way to their first Stanley Cup.

Niskanen believes Milbury still possesses some animosity toward the Penguins.

"He's said some bizarre things about us since I got here (in 2011)," Niskanen said. "He's definitely got something against us."

Milbury apologized to Penguins president David Morehouse last April following his "punk" comments.

"We're used to it," said Niskanen, who mentioned that hearing his team's best players get ripped continually on national television is tiresome. "But I'm not losing any sleep over it."

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