BY CBC.ca

Tightening up team defence is virtually every club's focus late in every season and especially come the playoffs. But getting defensive is another thing entirely.

And Penguins star Sidney Crosby certainly appeared perturbed following today's morning skate when asked about his reputation for diving and embellishing calls to influence referees - and Rangers' coach Tom Renney's comment that he planned to address the issue with officials before the teams' Eastern Conference semifinal series begins Friday night in Mellon Arena.

"I haven't changed one bit - I never dove and I don't," Crosby said. "So it's just part of the playoffs, part of the gamesmanship. If I go down, it's because I've been forced down. If not, I'll find a way to stay on my feet."

As for Renney's plan to speak with the officiating supervisor, Crosby retorted: "I think he should be the one worried about guys diving."

Presumably, that was a reference to Rangers winger Sean Avery, whose agitating antics have dominated much of the pre-series chatter in the Pittsburgh dressing room.

Crosby insisted Avery won't get inside his head in this series. But it was clear that he already had given The Grate One plenty of thought.

"He’s not going to change what I do," Crosby said. "He’s going to be a tough guy to play against if that’s the case. That’s what he prides himself on. But I think I’ve played against a lot of guys who are tough to play against. So my game isn’t going to change. If he expects to talk to me, he’ll be doing a lot of the talking, not me."

Asked if he thought he would be a target of Avery's, much as Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur was in the first round, Crosby said: “I don’t think I have to worry about it, as long as I’m focused on playing. If he’s going to do something stupid, it’s up to the refs to make that call and make sure he’s penalized for it."

Penguins coach Michel Therrien said it was his players' responsibility not to get distracted by Avery.

“There’s a fine line to be aggressive. There’s a fine line to be undisciplined," Therrien said. "And he’s going to do his things and we can’t lose our focus. Focus is on us.

“They’ve got some dangerous players that we’ve got to focus on. And we don’t want to have any distractions. This is what he’s looking for and we’re going to have to keep our focus."

As for Avery possibly targeting Crosby for special attention, Therrien had this warning: “What goes around comes around too. If they want to target our best players, we’re ready for this. And I’m sure those type of players are always ready for this. But at the meantime, we’re going to target their best players as well.”

*Pens veteran forward Gary Roberts declared himself unable to play in Game 1 because of a groin injury. Adam Hall will replace him in the lineup.

The Rangers will replace Ryan Hollweg with enforcer Colton Orr on their fourth line. Orr hasn't appeared in a game since March 27 because of a broken toe.

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