Penalty against Sidney Crosby leads to controversy in Game 1.

The National Hockey League's officials left some fans unhappy after a call against Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby led to a little controversy early in Game 1.

Crosby and the Penguins kicked off their opening round Stanley Cup playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night, but it wouldn't be long before controversy would arise in this one.

It would be Crosby himself who would instigate the controversy when a battle with Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale rose to the level of an infraction. As the two men were battling for position, Crosby would very clearly peel Drysdale's helmet off his head, leading to a penalty for the Penguins captain.

It looked for a while as though the officials on the ice didn't want to call a penalty against Crosby at all, but after a brief discussion both Crosby and Drysdale would be sent to the box. Crosby received a 2 minute minor penalty for roughing, while Drysdale would get called for interference.

Here is the replay:

Some fans were unhappy with Drysdale getting sent to the box, feeling he had done nothing wrong. When a player loses his helmet however he must finish the play he is currently engaged with or leave the ice immediately, Drysdale's decision to remain on the ice after losing his helmet is where I believe he earned himself a minor penalty of his own.

Did the NHL officials make the right call here? Or was favoritism towards what is arguably the NHL's biggest star play a factor? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.