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

I don't have a dog in this fight, if anything I was probably rooting for the Sharks, but Don VanMassenhoven isn't exactly an impartial outside source.

These are the rules:



That reads that a major penalty should be assessed based on the severity of the contact, at the referees discretion. Not based on the severity of the injury. Game misconduct is automatic when there is a major x-check penalty.

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..
- bogiedoc

So you're saying it should've been a major and a minor? or 2 minors?

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

[url]
The refs called quite a bit for a game 7. The slashing penalty in game 6, double overtime was such a weak call. I wouldn't say the officiating was consistent. Definitely a penalty. Sharks scored on the power play.
Had it only been a 2 minute, i'm not convinced the game is over at 3-1 with the sharks crowd into it. Sharks scored 3 goals in the last few minutes of game 2 at home too ... even strength.

I don't have a dog in this fight, if anything I was probably rooting for the Sharks, but Don VanMassenhoven isn't exactly an impartial outside source.

These are the rules:



That reads that a major penalty should be assessed based on the severity of the contact, at the referees discretion. Not based on the severity of the injury. Game misconduct is automatic when there is a major x-check penalty.
- eichiefs9

I think the key words here are at the referees discretion, which leaves a lot of grey area for interpretation. In the end it was a five and a 10, as others here have said, if I was a Vegas fan I would be equally upset at the abysmal and anemic penalty kill that followed allowing four goals in four minutes one second. Only a couple of the goals fall on the responsibility of Fluery, the rest are on the defenders in front of him

I think the key words here are at the referees discretion, which leaves a lot of grey area for interpretation. In the end it was a five and a 10, as others here have said, if I was a Vegas fan I would be equally upset at the abysmal and anemic penalty kill that followed allowing four goals in four minutes one second. Only a couple of the goals fall on the responsibility of Fluery, the rest are on the defenders in front of him
- jkzo616

Right, but the discretionary wiggle room is in regard to the contact. Not what happens because of it. A lot of rules are written intentionally-vague to leave room to allow for judgement calls because everything isn't black and white.

Right, but the discretionary wiggle room is in regard to the contact. Not what happens because of it. A lot of rules are written intentionally-vague to leave room to allow for judgement calls because everything isn't black and white.
- eichiefs9

I completely agree, I think it’s easy as fans to play armchair referee where we have the benefit of slow motion replay and analysts/color commentary to inform decisions on what is right and wrong. All I ask is that as fans we take a step back and try to follow the thoughts of the officials whose job it is to make right and wrong calls on the fly with real time information until they too have the same information via reply or until rules become more black and white

I was wondering if you guys could explain how the teams are arranged for the draft after the first round. I went to N.H.L. site and it says it depends on where they finished the previous playoff year. Is that correct?

I don't have a dog in this fight, if anything I was probably rooting for the Sharks, but Don VanMassenhoven isn't exactly an impartial outside source.

These are the rules:



That reads that a major penalty should be assessed based on the severity of the contact, at the referees discretion. Not based on the severity of the injury. Game misconduct is automatic when there is a major x-check penalty.
- eichiefs9

At the referee's discretion.

They led the series 3-1. They only had to win one more game. They had three chances. They could've done it on home ice. They led by three goals when the penalty was called, all they had to do was kill the penalty, they couldn't. They tied it and sent the game to OT where they had a chance to finish the series there, they couldn't.

Focusing on something that is, by rule, left to the discretion of the referee, seems to ignore that they had their chances and blew it on their own many times over.

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

My problem with the whole thing is both refs originally had no intention of calling a penalty on the play. Then when they saw the aftermath they slap a 5 min major.

That play happens every single game and does not get called. It was an unfortunate series of events that led to the player getting hurt. A minor penalty maybe I could be swayed either way but a major? No way.

IIRC, neither ref called it initially.

The call was a result of a freak accident and not an egregious action.

If Vegas wants to still whine, How about the missed SPEARING Call that Colin Miller did to Timo Meier in OT after a Couture shot which Fluery made the save on, Or let's go back to that joke of a call by Kelly Sutherland on Couture goaltender interfence in game 2 when Couture wasn't even in the blue paint & Fleury flopped like a seal out of water.

If anything stop the Sharks PP or maybe your coach Melon Head Gallant should of called a Timeout after the 2nd goal to stop the mometum

there where worst crosscheck than that in this games that was never called, and the injury happened when pavelsky stumbled onto stasny and thats not a penalty either as the injury happened when he hit the ice not when eakins hit him, so Eakins "cross check" was not the cause of the injury, once again the NHL proves it is a clown league with the worst officiating in any sports on earth, they make soccer refs look competent by comparison.

Frankly the VGK should sue the NHL for lost revenue over this, even if they lose it sends a message to the clown NHL that this kind of crap wont be tolerated.

Who cares honestly what’s done is done no need to cry now move on

No.

If Vegas wants to still whine, How about the missed SPEARING Call that Colin Miller did to Timo Meier in OT after a Couture shot which Fluery made the save on, Or let's go back to that joke of a call by Kelly Sutherland on Couture goaltender interfence in game 2 when Couture wasn't even in the blue paint & Fleury flopped like a seal out of water.

If anything stop the Sharks PP or maybe your coach Melon Head Gallant should of called a Timeout after the 2nd goal to stop the mometum
- Sharks77

He gets 2 timeouts a game anyways lol. Should have asked for a third...

Any Cross check high stick that draws blood is at least 4 minutes . this was bad a cross check to the head is a major that creates injury is a major penalty...

GOOD CALL>..

Any Cross check high stick that draws blood is at least 4 minutes . this was bad a cross check to the head is a major that creates injury is a major penalty...

GOOD CALL>..
- thechezman

wat

MAYBE it was 2 minutes but 5 was plain criminal. Oh well, Pavelski shouldn't be back any time soon from the high-grade concussion. Meanwhile McKinnon and crew are going to be eating shark steaks for the next week and some.

Not a penalty! Game 7, whistles were away & that kind of play was not called all night. At worst, maybe a 2min minor in a non-elimination game. Worst call in NHL playoff history; the ref didn't even see it & just assumed it must have been bad.

Absolutely hate when refs decide a game with bad calls. Amazing game. Horrible penalty call. Congrats to the Vegas for being the hockey equivalent to the Saints. SJ be Colorado with be fun to watch!

So you're saying it should've been a major and a minor? or 2 minors?
- WaterBoy

a minor on the cross check at best; stasny could have been called for int but that's a more borderline call...

but lets be honest here that crosscheck or worse happens frequently every game and is never called, for gawd sakes the in the slot in front of the goalie is a free cross check and slash zone...

Any Cross check high stick that draws blood is at least 4 minutes . this was bad a cross check to the head is a major that creates injury is a major penalty...

GOOD CALL>..
- thechezman

you obviously have not seen the play. sit down.

Not a penalty! Game 7, whistles were away & that kind of play was not called all night. At worst, maybe a 2min minor in a non-elimination game. Worst call in NHL playoff history; the ref didn't even see it & just assumed it must have been bad.
- foxbat

they saw it...the play was right in front of the back ref and he did not put his arm up; the penalty was called after they noticed joepa was injured and did not get up...

MAYBE it was 2 minutes but 5 was plain criminal. Oh well, Pavelski shouldn't be back any time soon from the high-grade concussion. Meanwhile McKinnon and crew are going to be eating shark steaks for the next week and some.
- Carl317

have fun golfing!