For sure that was a cross check. The refs don't call those penalties consistently though and no way do they call it in playoffs, much less game 7, 3rd period playoffs. I think if the referring was the same in the playoffs as the regular season, no way Eakins does that. Refs suck !
- tincup

the call was made because it was 3-0. that's it. if it's a closer game that is a 2-min penalty. that SJ got rewarded for poopting their pants to that point is one of the most ridiculous things i've seen in this league. yes Vegas soiled themselves on the PK but that's beside the point. they never should have been in a position to kill off a major penalty, on the road no less. they didn't commit any major infractions.

Pretty Simple Call, 2 minute cross-check, Knights get Totally Screwed.
Too many freakin refs on the ice anyway, they're always in the way.

WTF...that was the most bizarre 3rd period I have seen since the hawks vs ducks Gm 4 WC finals 2015: hawks had a 3-1 lead and the ducks scored 3x in 90 seconds to take a lead and then kane tied it 4-4 late in the 3rd and hawks won it in 2OT with vermetes goal

neither ref was going to call a penalty on that post face off crosscheck; they then divine a 5 min major after seeing pavelski was seriously injured...there's your top notch NHL reffing...at first it was a playoff play on crosscheck but no not really...


I saw at least 4-5 holds and trips that are called in the regular season; but orders from bettmans penthouse says ignore all those trips, crosschecks and holds in the playoffs...

that is BS...call the game or at least try to call the penalties that are penalties

the knights and MAF were a skating deer in headlight for that 5 min major...they lost this game despite the absurd 5 min major call...

if I was a Knights fan I'd be WAAAYYYY more pissed at my PK units than I would be at the refs. how do you give up 4 goals on one PP in that situation?
- sensarmy_11

For sure.

Either way, wouldn't be in a good mood.

How about that effing team has had everything handed to them on a silver platter. Suck it up. Maybe they can find a Sabres fan to whine with about Hull’s skate. I’m sure they wouldn’t understand the reference.
- bazz

It’s my understanding from every VGK fan I’ve talked to that hockey was invented in October 2017.

It’s my understanding from every VGK fan I’ve talked to that hockey was invented in October 2017.
- Za Warudo

For sure.

Either way, wouldn't be in a good mood.
- Scabeh

fair enough......at the end of the day, they blew a 3 goal lead in the 3rd, after already blowing a 3-1 series lead.

there is NO WAY that can all be blamed on a single call

As much as I wanted to see a CBJ/VGK cup finals, the Knights didn't deserve to advance past the 1st round with the way they played from games 5-7

Jo Pa could have broken his neck on that play. In the moment I was not at all surprised a major was called.

You can sit here and question it after they go and score 4 goals but there job is to police the game.

Was an ugly fall can’t really blame the refs for calling it the way they did

It was a major.

Vegas giving up 4 goals on that major is the real joke

This wasn't even a penalty. Embarrassment.

Raped by the refs? Now you are officially an NHL franchise

Very exciting---we can argue all day about the penalty---and the high stick goal---bottom line is once the game was tied after 3, no more crying. Anyone's game in OT---and what a great game

It was a major.

Vegas giving up 4 goals on that major is the real joke
- WaterBoy

it was like they were inviting SJ to the net on that OT goal as well. very weak D.

Officials blew the call.

Knights blew the series worse. Choked 3-1 series lead away. Choked on a five minute penalty kill.

Choked on a walk-around OT goal.

it was like they were inviting SJ to the net on that OT goal as well. very weak D.
- Fountain-San

The Pacioretty effect

Still baffled by that call, and even more, by Eakin's high-stick goal

fair enough......at the end of the day, they blew a 3 goal lead in the 3rd, after already blowing a 3-1 series lead.

there is NO WAY that can all be blamed on a single call

As much as I wanted to see a CBJ/VGK cup finals, the Knights didn't deserve to advance past the 1st round with the way they played from games 5-7
- sensarmy_11

The Pacioretty effect
- WaterBoy

Good to see things going back to normal !

Avs were gonna beat whoever came out of this series anyway. Sharks are about to feel what the Flames felt. Probably worse since Martin Jones is meh at best.

Yes it was Ek but jump on the Vegas salt bandwagon

There definitely were two infractions, cross checking on Eakin and roughing on Stastny. Was it worthy of a single five minute penalty, maybe. Before people start calling me a homer, refer to the comments of series official and former referee Don Vanmassenhoven, where he explains the major penalty was awarded not because of intent to injure but rather the fact that the cross check resulted in injury. I have a lot of respect for him as an official being a fan of the game and league for over 20 years, while his explanation may not make everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside, it does explain the call.

It was a major.

Vegas giving up 4 goals on that major is the real joke
- WaterBoy

so a pedestrain trip that ends up with a guy breaking his jaw and staying on the ice is now a 5 minute major???

call the play not the outcome...the refs had no arms up after the crosscheck...then they end up with a 5 min major "after review"...

nhl officiating is the joke of professional sports a very close second is balls/srikes calls in MLB

Two minutes for the crosscheck. Eakins did drill Pavelski pretty good. Pavelski fell in front of Stastny who pushed him the rest of the way down because Pavelski's falling blocked Stastny's path to get to the point man. Vegas PK choked.

There definitely were two infractions, cross checking on Eakin and roughing on Stastny. Was it worthy of a single five minute penalty, maybe. Before people start calling me a homer, refer to the comments of series official and former referee Don Vanmassenhoven, where he explains the major penalty was awarded not because of intent to injure but rather the fact that the cross check resulted in injury. I have a lot of respect for him as an official being a fan of the game and league for over 20 years, while his explanation may not make everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside, it does explain the call.
- jkzo616

we all get it that's the rationale...but thats BS...call the play not outcome..then stasny should have been penalized for int...its his run into Joe Pa that resulted in the awkward fall and crash to the ice..

so a pedestrain trip that ends up with a guy breaking his jaw and staying on the ice is now a 5 minute major???

call the play not the outcome...the refs had no arms up after the crosscheck...then they end up with a 5 min major "after review"...

nhl officiating is the joke of professional sports a very close second is balls/srikes calls in MLB
- bogiedoc

YES!


1 of 2 crosscheck was a minor... agreed.