thats why I said if they want it, that way I can later say, well I guess they didnt want it bad enough

my intangible playoff analysis is in top form
- senstroll

The NHL refereeing in the playoffs is an absolute joke. And it affects all 31 teams.

I was watching the Pens-Isles series yesterday.

7 minutes left, Isles up by 1 or 2 (can't remember). A Penguin cross checks an Isle on to the ice, then proceeds to grab him and wrestle with him.

Refs call coincidental roughing minors.

Why?

Because it's a close game, and of course the referees "don't want to decide the game."

It was the most obvious cross-check of the game. He knocked the Islander down.

And I honestly don't blame the referees - this is how they are told to call the game.

It's a franking joke. Call penalties. Otherwise, you are deciding the game by allowing infractions to occur without punishment.
- Atomic Wedgie

I agree 100%.... The refs lost control of the game. And while I also agree that Kadri is an idiot and he should get 5 games, if the refs made the calls they should have, Kadri's frustration would not have escalated to the point it did.

It is because it's the way of the game. I'm not saying I like it, either.

I don't mind tough hard hitting hockey, but there's so much crap.

I despise the BS after the whistle stuff more than you can imagine. A guy takes a shot at the goalie and peels away, and a defenseman comes and punches him, and pushes him, and face washes him. For what? Why is that poop tolerated at all. Intimidation in the game should happen between whistles, period.

But the game has it's boundaries and fighting is within them. That's HOW you take exception legally.
- Monkeypunk

Oh I understand that ans wasnt specifically pointing at you, just the odd culture of hockey and what is fine and good tough hockey.

The NHL refereeing in the playoffs is an absolute joke. And it affects all 31 teams.

I was watching the Pens-Isles series yesterday.

7 minutes left, Isles up by 1 or 2 (can't remember). A Penguin cross checks an Isle on to the ice, then proceeds to grab him and wrestle with him.

Refs call coincidental roughing minors.

Why?

Because it's a close game, and of course the referees "don't want to decide the game."

It was the most obvious cross-check of the game. He knocked the Islander down.

And I honestly don't blame the referees - this is how they are told to call the game.

It's a franking joke. Call penalties. Otherwise, you are deciding the game by allowing infractions to occur without punishment.
- Atomic Wedgie

Yup - I thought the same thing.
Was Hornqvist on Pelech I think.
Was a dirty play and obvious penalty to Hornqvist. Instead they gave coincidental.
Seems NHL is trying to milk the playoffs; more games is better while series decided in 4-5 games are not good for revenue..

It all comes back to the fact that the league, for some reason, uses a whole different standard of refereeing in the playoffs.

"Let them play" should never mean, let them do whatever the hell they want to the other team. When you call a game that way, you are ABSOLUTELY telling the players to police themselves out there.

It is (frank)ing ridiculous to then single out one guys and throw a huge punshment at him.

Nobody agrees with what he did, but there was worse that game that was absolutely let go.
- Aetherial

I agree with everything except the bolded.

Reffing was terrible and the rules were not applied which contributed to escalating things up to the Kadri hit.

But that crosscheck in the face was the worst hit in the whole game. Hence the hearing.

Yes. They usually still have their helmets on.
A couple punches to the bucket will most likely do less damage then a stick to the neck, jaw, face or head. Most likely how he was trying to frame it.

Insert stupid laughing emoticon.
- Fakepartofme

i mean, they still have thier helmets on when someone tries to cross check them

NHL.com in the game preview lineups lists Joseph Woll as Toronto's 4th Goalie.
I am not sure about the reasons behind that - did the Leafs have to do anything (register Woll for playoffs?) or was it just because he signed his contract in March?
Other teams just have 2 goalies listed..
- MaximusAurelius

Contract means he cannot be in the AHL this year. It had to be the NHL

December: "Bruins unhappy with 'late, unnessesary hit on McAvoy by Hyman'"

Fast forward to April playoffs: Bruins constantly laying late, unnessesary and dirty hits on Leafs' players..

I agree with anything except the bolded.

Reffing was terrible and the rules were not applied which contributed to escalating things up to the Kadri hit.

But that crosscheck in the face was the worst hit in the whole game. Hence the hearing.
- Scabeh

My eyes roll out of my head when people start spewing "it's tough hockey!" "Playoff time hockey!".

Muzzin hit on Krug. That's tough hockey. Kadri and Marchand (was it him on Tavares?) carving faces up with sticks? That's (frank)ing garbage.

It all comes back to the fact that the league, for some reason, uses a whole different standard of refereeing in the playoffs.

"Let them play" should never mean, let them do whatever the hell they want to the other team. When you call a game that way, you are ABSOLUTELY telling the players to police themselves out there.

It is (frank)ing ridiculous to then single out one guys and throw a huge punshment at him.

Nobody agrees with what he did, but there was worse that game that was absolutely let go.
- Aetherial

"Let them play" is the single worst thing in hockey.

If they're just letting them play and throwing the rules out, why do they still call offside and icing? Why not put 11 players out on the ice?

The rules exist for a reason, and ignoring them creates a disadvantage for one team just as much as calling them creates a disadvantage for the other. The only differences is that the latter is the way it's supposed to be done.

Contract means he cannot be in the AHL this year. It had to be the NHL
- walshyleafsfan

Interesting..
At this point he's already better than Sparks for sure, and more motivated than new-dad-Hutch... just give him the backup position already.

It all comes back to the fact that the league, for some reason, uses a whole different standard of refereeing in the playoffs.

"Let them play" should never mean, let them do whatever the hell they want to the other team. When you call a game that way, you are ABSOLUTELY telling the players to police themselves out there.

It is (frank)ing ridiculous to then single out one guys and throw a huge punshment at him.

Nobody agrees with what he did, but there was worse that game that was absolutely let go.
- Aetherial

I do. I wish the Leafs had more players that do the same

I agree 100%.... The refs lost control of the game. And while I also agree that Kadri is an idiot and he should get 5 games,if the refs made the calls they should have, Kadri's frustration would not have escalated to the point it did.
- .OHOH.

I kind of agree, but it still isn't a good defense. He should be able to handle his emotions like an adult.

And I'm not insinuating you think it is a good defense, just speaking in general terms.

I agree with everything except the bolded.

Reffing was terrible and the rules were not applied which contributed to escalating things up to the Kadri hit.

But that crosscheck in the face was the worst hit in the whole game. Hence the hearing.
- Scabeh

Honestly I think Pastrnak jumping into Muzzin was at least as dirty.

i mean, they still have thier helmets on when someone tries to cross check them
- senstroll

Cool.
But youre hitting them with more force and a harder object. Plus a more chance of hitting the the face, neck and jaw resulting in more damage potentially

I do. I wish the Leafs had more players that do the same
- walshyleafsfan

Yes.
If Debrusk is playing tonight - Marleau should target him first 5mins.

Also another reason I'm glad I didn't watch Saturday. Apparently Debrusk busted open Dermotts nose with an elbow and wasn't given the gate? Hellooooo 2013 Bruins... "oh JVR just had his nose blasted by an elbow, away from the play and Bruins get a scoring chance... just "Bruins hockey"!

Cool.
But youre hitting them with more force and a harder object. Plus a more chance of hitting the the face, neck and jaw resulting in more damage potentially
- Fakepartofme

I am not a doctor and wont try to play one like yourself.
I dont know what ultimately causes more damage to the brains, one shot from a cross check to some place on the head or several punches.

point I am making is both are bad for your brains

Also another reason I'm glad I didn't watch Saturday. Apparently Debrusk busted open Dermotts nose with an elbow and wasn't given the gate? Hellooooo 2013 Bruins... "oh JVR just had his nose blasted by an elbow, away from the play and Bruins get a scoring chance... just "Bruins hockey"!
- markmark

It's the only way they know how to play.

Honestly I think Pastrnak jumping into Muzzin was at least as dirty.
- MaximusAurelius

Fully disagree.

Interesting..
At this point he's already better than Sparks for sure, and more motivated than new-dad-Hutch... just give him the backup position already.
- MaximusAurelius

Well no.
Woll hasnt played a pro game ahl or nhl.
So no hes not.

Put your hard on away.

Also another reason I'm glad I didn't watch Saturday. Apparently Debrusk busted open Dermotts nose with an elbow and wasn't given the gate? Hellooooo 2013 Bruins... "oh JVR just had his nose blasted by an elbow, away from the play and Bruins get a scoring chance... just "Bruins hockey"!
- markmark

I won't lie.

The Bruins are sneaky bastards and love giving plenty of cheapshots.

I'm learning to hate Debrusk more and more.

I hate them all anyway, except Bergeron. He's cool.

I am not a doctor and wont try to play one like yourself.
I dont know what ultimately causes more damage to the brains, one shot from a cross check to some place on the head or several punches.

point I am making is both are bad for your brains
- senstroll

The stick is far worse. More force, and it's more concentrated.

You don't need to be a doctor to know that.

Yes.
If Debrusk is playing tonight - Marleau should target him first 5mins.
- MaximusAurelius

The Leafs have more skill and talent than the Bruins at the top end. Give me 8 players that play "Bruins Hockey" and "Playoff Hockey" and i'll be a happy camper.

There's no need for Marleau, Brown, Moore Gauthier, Johnsson, Dermott, Zaitsev, Gardiner and maybe Nylander in the playoffs.