The NHL's officiating is DISGUSTING right now

The only thing consistent about NHL officiating, is how inconsistent NHL officiating is.
In the last week, The Detroit red wings have been involved in 3 cross checks to the head. A week ago, as they faced Calgary, Calgary's Huberdeau got his stick up on Dylan Larkin. There was no call. 2 days ago, as Detroit faced the Washington Capitals, Larkin got his stick up on TJ Oshie. He got a 5 minute major, a game misconduct and a $5,000 fine. Tonight, as the Red Wings faced the New York Rangers, in almost an identical play with Lindgren on Rasmussen, Lindgren got just a 2 minute minor for cross checking. The inconstancies here are ridiculous! I cover it in todays NHL hockey recap!
#nhl #hockey #highlights #detroitredwings #newyorkrangers #calgaryflames

[@Katie-hb8iq]

I find it amusing how the player who was the most apologetic is the one who got the worst reprimand

[@JohnB-mo4kq]

No good deed goes unpunished.

[@MrKreationsHD]

Similar to admitting guilt from a legal perspective. Never ends well...

[@MikeReimers]

As soon as you apologize, you've lost. I'm not sure why so many things work this way in the world.

[@zed6563]

The cross check Larkin threw wasnt even on purpose, Oshie lifted Larkin's stick on accident into Oshie's face

[@troybabs]

The biggest problem the NHL has is that plays/infractions are not reviewable or challengeable. The league is far behind other pro sports in this area, like NFL & MLB, where at least they are trying to make the game fairer/better in reviewable plays.

[@kevinrasmussen1319]

Refs should have to do a media availability after the game to explain themselves.

[@caseyczarnomski8054]

Refs need to be a separate organization to the NHL, not play favorites, or have darling players that can't be checked. If your a finesse player and get checked, that's part of the game. If you get cross checked to the head or neck, the penalty has no variation game to game.

[@FilterBySubgenre]

"Why are you so pissy Wes McCauley?" Wes -"I'm not"

[@whysoserious8666]

The NHL must have hired Kerry Fraser for the situation room. He hates the Wings.

[@northlander4370]

@@whysoserious8666 he hates everyone .

[@casstippit766]

1000%

[@jammin_time901]

As a Rangers fan, I agree that the hit should have been a 5 min major, this is as well as the hit we took against Winnipeg, And the hit Larkin gave out. The system needs a clean reset and work over

[@caseyczarnomski8054]

Completely agree, accident or not treat all the same. Seems to happen weekly to the Wings, saw the one you took by Winnipeg and it was brutal, I doubt we're the only ones

[@howie9751]

I was surprised by that a major was called too, and I'm also a Rangers fan.

[@ts13f65]

I think both should have been minors, the hit on Motte should be 5 and a game for sure though

[@billkammermeier]

By system needs clean reset do you mean fire all the refs? I can tell you there isn't some magical pool of amazing refs out there waiting to take over. Since the Canadian and U.S. government's draconian and ineffective covid policies the pool of refs is way down in general. Many local affiliates for amateur refs report that their total pool of refs is half or in some places even a third or a quarter of what it was in 2019 and many of the refs currently refs are new within the last few years. Finding quality refs is a big problem at all levels across North America.

[@jammin_time901]

@@billkammermeier Definitely not, what I mean is something like more strict training programs put in place or just a meeting from the NHL officials and a statement saying what the exact rules are and or stating mistakes they made like he said in the video. I definitely don't think we should replace all refs or even a fraction of them. Maybe just 1 or 2 :)

[@geoffkemp7]

Funny that Larkin got the worst punishment yet showed the most regret instantly.

[@TeemoQuinton]

How the rule is written. His inducdd an injury and that automatically upgrades the penalty... And that major for crosschecking is an automatic game misconduct. Right there in the book

[@caseyczarnomski8054]

@@TeemoQuinton Right, a severe injury where he was on the ice in a couple minutes. BS. Cross check to the head is a cross check to the head. Own it.

[@fczip5493]

​@@TeemoQuinton so because oshie had dry lips Larkin deserved 5 and a fine? There was like ml of blood lmao

[@TeemoQuinton]

@fczip5493 from the NHL rulebook glossary: Injury Blood does not have to be visible to consider it an injury. Blood flowing is NOT the only determining factor. For example, an injury caused by a high stick to the face could have one of the following characteristics: severe bruising, abrasions, a welt, cutting of the skin or damage to teeth by the high stick.

[@TeemoQuinton]

@caseyczarnomski8054 the book doesnt say severe injury you clown, just injury. Dont come at me when the fault is the book. The book defines injury as seen above And its a crosscheck to the head which should always be a major, we in agreement there

[@freedlooker3673]

As a fan, a goalie and a wings fan I'm beyond frustrated with this... glad I'm not the only one.

[@timsampson6559]

The refs still hate and are against the wings man, I'm a die hard wings fan, and the stuff I see teams get away with against the wings,or the petty penalties against the wings drive me crazy

[@Drake_4]

Also, Larkin was apologetic about the whole thing so shows you how good of a guy Larkin is compared so some other people

[@humblelad]

Last night he held up a Ranger whose skate blade came off so that he didn't fall

[@moappleseider1699]

@@humblelad Yeah a lot of people missed that.

[@Corninthesky]

It’s saddening how many RW fans want him out…he’s such a valuable piece to our team. We will miss him greatly if he does go

[@Z0RDR4CK]

he was apologetic, but still he deserved that major... he knew he made a great mistake there. i'm a red wings fan and stick to the head-neck-chin area should be a absolute no-go, accidental or not. the problem is, that for some reason, some officials in charge are interpreting existing rules where nowhere near is any room to interpret at all. we have the same problem over here in europe with some soccer rules, that are constantly ruled different almost every match... that is disgusting and bad for business.

[@ayeekota]

​@@Corninthesky I haven't seen too many people wanting him out, but I think a large group doesn't think he's worth what he was initially asking for.

[@feastorafamine]

Spot on assessment. The lack of consistency is mind boggling. Especially if Toronto calls from up high.

[@jasondunajski7109]

Yep, you are exactly correct. It’s unbelievable. It should be embarrassing for the officials. The league has to figure out how to be consistent with calling a number of things. Total joke.

[@gumbojones3133]

Problem is most of the rules are very vague, almost like they can interpreted different by each ref. That in my opinion is a huge issue. It creates a gray area that shouldn't exist.

[@jeffreycairns767]

​@@gumbojones3133 Exactly what I've been saying.

[@gumbojones3133]

@@jeffreycairns767 also don't agree with refs not calling penalties so it doesn't "effect the flow of the game" last night devils had a pp with 2 minutes left in the 3rd down 3-2. Tatar was tripped, ref was standing right there and didn't call it. Even the announcers said something similar

[@gumbojones3133]

Should've been a 5-3

[@jeffreycairns767]

@Gumbo Jones Although I am a fan of a specific team, I am more a fan of the NHL, or should I say the old NHL. Bettman controls to much, he decides the winners in advance (especially the playoffs), has hatred towards certain teams (such as all Canadian teams), has changed so many things and controls everything (including the refs, which is why they never have to speak to reporters or answer for their actions), has specific teams he favors, etc. Also, as said, the rules are written in a certain way that allows the refs to call it either way and it looks legit. Bettman has to go. If more people stopped their bias or hatred towards specific teams and actually paid attention to the entire league, they'd see what I mean but that'll never happen. As I said, I have a specific team I cheer for but I don't hate any team or player but the league has become a joke, especially the last 10 years or so as they're not even trying to hide what's going on. Bettman, and the betting world, has taken over ALL pro sports leagues in North America, only the NHL doesn't even try to hide it anymore.

[@millsy5094]

Dont forget the best part. The part where no one can even complain or say anything about the officials without getting fined!! They have reviewed at least one penalty a game, majors or not, and even overturning many minor penalties. Its absolutely insane how bad they've been this year. Its almost like they have an agenda... 🙄 And THANK YOU for making this video. About time someone did!

[@lenhindle1108]

You are absolutely right ...let's hope the NHL gets shamed into doing something about this. All 3 incidents warrant majors ...why does the NHL allow any sticks to the head...what is happening is infuriatingly dangerous and unfair.

[@jeffreycairns767]

2 words, Gary Bettman

[@nutronik9]

If both those calls come from the league then this is pretty good evidence of a bias against the wings. I don't know how else you can explain them screwing up a gimme call like this.

[@ADragonNamedSpyro]

Unfortunately the review call isn't bias it's incompetence. The league would have told the refs they aren't aloud to review that play and have to leave the ruling as 2 min. Which is just as infuriating.

[@markmearth1]

I agree with you. I grew up playing ice hockey in Canada. Hockey players can endure a lot of pain and punishment, but the particular cross checking attacks that you showed could be career ending and even fatal. The NHL has to consistently enforce that! Good video!

[@northlander4370]

ice hockey ???

[@Cop64]

@@northlander4370 what is the point of this comment yes it’s ice hockey lol

[@TheClumsyChicken]

@@northlander4370 yes…

[@northlander4370]

@@Cop64 dont really know of any Canadians who say ice hockey....

[@Cop64]

@@northlander4370 well it’s cause there are multiple types of hockey lol, floor hockey, ground hockey, roller hockey.

[@xtrickster6556]

I agree with you 100 percent. This is sheer stupidity and lack of consistency the whole way. I feel sorry for the players and coaches who have to put up with this nonsense. 😡😡😡😡

[@fphlflash]

Consistency has always been an issue with NHL officials. The only thing that is consistent is the inconsistency.

[@JBSampson88]

Yup, and the only other thing, is fans spotting and calling the league out for it to no avail. Sucks, but what can we do?

[@FalconsLedge]

you are 100% correct, watched all 3 games. They need to at least be consistent.

[@zachgamingzone]

The league has been bad I general with head shots this season. Did you see the makar injury? Dude got a shoulder to the head and they treated it as a completely clean hit.

[@deltoro8816]

I agree…You are 💯 based on this whole situation. No consistency from refs or NHL. Something needs to change.

[@SirL3X0N]

Don't say based it delegitimizes a valid point lol

[@deltoro8816]

@@SirL3X0N ultra based lol. Will do I’ll refrain in the future. That was the last time. I swear.

[@TeemoQuinton]

Heres the thing you are missing: in the rulebook you have a clause, wording, specific in its point. If the penalty called results in injury it is elevated.

[@crykamikaze]

There was another incident during the game with Calgary, Nazem Kadri slashes the stick to the Tyler Bertuzzi's face, game stopped just because Robbie Fabbri scored. No call for Kadri.

[@roleynoley6410]

Back in December during the Wild @ Jets game, which I was at, a jets player was high sticked so hard he was bleeding onto the ice. The wild player did not receive a penalty

[@theodorebelmont7922]

Ridiculous. I'm sure that does happen once in a while with other sports, but with the NHL refs they almost get pleasure in seeing a player bloody on the ice or even screaming at them for not seeing it

[@elasticnoob123]

@@theodorebelmont7922 was watching the oilers game and you know when the “refs you suck” chant comes the officials done messed up. The whole stadium booed at a missed call then 10 seconds later they booed for another and then a third one happened right after that. They booed a third time and started the chant, then the oilers got 2 penalties and blew a lead during those pk’s. It was like watching a show and not a sport because you could tell the rangers would win the second the crowd started booing the no calls.

[@aidendessler538]

Remember that, believe it was Kyle connor. Super obvious call, or it should've been. Pretty sure he still has a scar

[@TheManFromDonair]

You make an excellent argument here, especially after the league said it would eliminate head hits.

[@zalapski9399]

The NHL really needs to do something about cross checking- especially in the back. For some reason along the way they simply stop calling cross checks. The Larkin penalty was the only one called correctly.

[@martyfarrell9459]

Refs need to have their bubbles burst and held accountable exactly the same as the players! Questioned after the game like players, fined for missed or bad calls and suspended for blatant ignorance. These dudes are paid well, time to be held accountable!

[@mrhonda1]

Lindgren's cross check was far more intentional than Larkin's. I looks like Larkin's point of contact was going to be much lower until the shaft of his stick got caught up on Oshie's glove as he raised his stick. Lindgren's was straight to the neck.

[@JBSampson88]

And, poorly timed. I think Larks thought he was closer than he was, as well.

[@Not5id]

Tonight's Canucks game in St. Louis was also abysmal. A super weak goalie interference call, a high stick allowed on a goal, and blowing the whistle early when a Blues player knocked his own net off, negating a goal.

[@kylemoore7746]

I'm a Blues fan and think that goal should have counted. I'm not a fan of how goalie interference has been interpretted vs incidental contact, especially when it wouldn't have made a difference on the play and was initiated by the goaltender. For the high stick, I can see why it was possibly inconclusive since he was leaning and the shoulder on the opposite side was about level with where the contact with the puck was made as it was coming down. It just seemed like extra salt after the disallowed goal.

[@bucksandducksroe]

They need to get their house in order with this stuff. The leagues to explain themselves.

[@patreiger8936]

Oh you are so right,years ago they had only one referee , and they did a decent job. Now they have TWO and they miss a lot what a joke.I know it’s a tough job but that’s what they get paid to do just like any job.If anybody makes that many screw ups on the job we would be fired.

[@JBSampson88]

As a Wings fan, I too am frustrated. If we are going to call one, call them all. I don't have an issue if it gets called, but call it across the board. Be consistent.

[@jasonmaruszak812]

I remember getting cross checked hard like this in an alumni tournament. In the face- twice, in front of the net at the whistle. No call. I was beyond mad. One of the moments over my 20 year amateur career that still gets me heated thinking about.

[@TeemoQuinton]

Its basketball but in a tournament once somebody tried to slap the ball out of my arm and got my right on the flat of my extended elbow. Yknow, where medical folks like to stick ye for blood? That slap echoed in the gym. No whistle. The ref asked if I was ok. I am shocked I didnt say anything and just moved, laughing it off after I was taken off

[@allenapplewhite]

I got so pissed at a terrible ref that always had it out for our team and called us on everything while letting the other team get away with murder so one time I knew where the ref was right behind me and I got the puck and turned around and skated THROUGH HIM. That was the one and only time I checked A REF. Knocked his @$$ flat on the ground and skated to the offensive zone with the puck.

[@jasonmaruszak812]

@@TeemoQuinton I’m so sorry for your audible slap to the arm lol

[@jasonmaruszak812]

@@allenapplewhite that probably felt good- always funny to see a ref take it. Another good one is to fire a puck around him- just don’t take it too far with a slap shot to the face

[@jn6011]

If you got cross checked in the face twice during an alumni tourney and both times it happened in front of the goalie with whistle blowing you deserved it. Just D protecting their tendy.

[@jesussaves435]

Cross checking has been one of the biggest issues in the league for a long time now in my opinion. But for some reason the NHL decided to focus on slashing and hooking even though nobody was complaining about it. Some players have literally had their careers cut short or drop off due to how bad and prevalent cross checking is in the show, Parise and Seabrook are just a few examples that come to mind but yet here we are, more worried about someones hands getting touched by a stick.

[@spartaleonidas7132]

The league focused on slashing after crosby slashed a guy's finger off. I can understand how the first went unnoticed or a non call because it looks weird (possible embellishment at first glance). The major looked more of a minor in my eyes, but the minor looked more of a major because he got his stick up after he saw the hit coming, which is just stupidly dangerous.

[@kevinmach730]

The cross checking is so bad it's almost considered a common and acceptable tactic in front of the net. I can barely watch hockey anymore.

[@ryanblanchard2508]

This is an excellent point. Some of the hooking/slashing calls are just terrible. 🤦‍♂️

[@spartaleonidas7132]

@@kevinmach730 Cross checking in front of the net has always been a thing, and was probably a lot worse the further back we went. I don't mind a little bit of it, but yea, if you can see a guy get whiplashed, its probably a penalty.

[@kevinmach730]

@@spartaleonidas7132 Yeah, I played for over 30 years, I am not talking about holding your stick against a guy or pushing off a bit to create space or keep him off balance. I am talking about extending your arms and intentionally using the stick forcefully against someone's body. Same with slashing. I don't consider using your stick to get leverage against the front of a guys shin pads as slashing. But in my opinion swinging the blade more that say, 20 inches and then making contact is something worth a look at least. We can agree to disagree on it being worst back in the day. I wouldn't even have commented to begin with otherwise- it literally annoys me so much it irritates me to watch today's game.

[@danshobbies13]

They all deserve 5 minute majors.

[@allenapplewhite]

And the refs do too...for making such terrible "non"-calls. Sit the ref in the box for 5 minutes and call out a backup ref. They would find their whistles REAL QUICK then. As it stands they are basically above the law and face no repercussions whatsoever for completely and utterly FAILING TO DO THEIR JOB.

[@JBSampson88]

Exactly. Make it consistent.

[@jeremykraenzlein5975]

You're not wrong. Mitigating it with these three games is the fact that while all three calls went against the Red Wings (I guess that's one aspect of consistency), we cannot argue that these calls costed us any wins, because the Wings actually won all three games regardless. But the league will not remain so fortunate indefinitely. They really do need to fix this fast.

[@velibrian]

With how the NHL is all about player safety now, they have absolutely no consistency with calls. Just make all hits to the head 5 mins garunteed and make it more severe if it's intentional

[@thebelizeaneh]

NHL officiating is disgusting right now. Right now? Isn't it always? The one thing I hate the most about the NHL is the different sets of rules from the regular season to the playoffs. And you can always tell what team the league wants to win by what penalties are called and when they're called.

[@pigzzi5693]

We need more videos like this showing how bad the Refs are. More attention it gets the more likely something behind the scenes will happen but probably not lol

[@MethlyNinja94]

Every single reff and everyone in the situation room needs to be fired and replaced with ppl that actually know how to do this job

[@StanleyDarsh22]

Yep, it's all around terrible calls, no matter who you're a fan of.

[@giff74]

Totally agree! This MUST be rock bottom for NHL officiating???? I mean the league knows they need to find a way to be consistent... right??! No one, not the players, fans or refs, know what a penalty is on a night-to-night basis.

[@scatt9944]

They need to be held accountable it’s ridiculous

[@randomcrandom]

A drum I beat often is that NHL officials are asked to be " game managers" that manufacturer parity, not rules arbiters. Until the BOG is willing to stop asking thier officials to keep games " even" ( translation: close) this wild inconsistency will always be a thing. Tim Peele said the quiet part out loud on that hot mic a few years ago.

[@adriantschetter7083]

Yes I fully agree its a total joke right now!

[@BenaSTL]

True dis fr. Officials been brutal since last years playoffs

[@richardsmusic5577]

Well said. Important topic that needs to be addressed. The league needs to start doing the right thing and being consistent. It's okay to make mistakes and be wrong. It's not okay to not admit when you've made a bad call. Just because you' work for a professional sports league doesn't mean you're levitating above the rest of us.

[@MapleLoverX57]

They need a clear rewrite of the rulebook with straight answers to every questions. If the stick is used for a hit using both hands, it's cross-checking. If the hit's central point is above the shoulder line, it's a major. If the hit's point is near the line, the call on the ice can be verified by the officials.

[@tmoore4075]

You can't get much closer than literally the same play. And they got on the headset with Toronto both times and came back with two different conclusions. I just don't understand.

[@matthewfroese3889]

A year ago Matthews got a one game suspension - I can’t say I’m surprised, but it sucks that it’s so inconsistent. The league should be talking about stuff like this, what their goal is for the refs in these situations, and how they’re going to fix it from the top down.

[@mattdunn0804]

Ranger fan here, I believe they originally called a 5 minute major on Lindgren which was deserved, but they overruled it and gave him a minor. Definitely right though very inconsistent.

[@edmurphy7484]

Nailed it! I have been saying for over 10 years how terrible NHL officiating is.

[@jeremysearls6722]

No you are way right and I’m so glad to see this getting some light the nhl officiating has been on a downward decline for the past few years in my opinion

[@countraxxula5195]

They're having a hard time being able to read a game clock as well. Milliseconds have stumped them completely. Sometimes I feel like I'm watching the NFL.

[@QFfire]

I was at a wild game a few weeks ago, and the reffing was horrible. The refs called almost every penalty possible. Delay of time for shooting the puck over the boards?!!?!

[@klompsauce]

Detroit getting the shaft lately on calls

[@allenapplewhite]

I think refs should get penalties for making BAD CALLS. Sit them in the box for two minutes and call in a backup ref. Bet they would shape up and figure out where their whistles were THEN.

[@Gainjey]

How the hell does this have 21 dislikes? The officials must watch your vids :)

[@tt128556]

Probably the "manly men" who watch hockey only to satisfy their violent needs.

[@JBSampson88]

Lmao... Nice! 🤣

[@Kieva_Storm]

I'm a Red Wings fan, so i acknowledge some bias here. This call infuriated me. The moment I saw it happen, I said, "This should be 5... but they're going to bias it again." Overall, this game screamed different standards for different teams. Jake Walman laid a big hit late in the game, I can't remember who he hit, but they grabbed him and started throwing punches, while Walman just kept a bear hug to protect himself. Earlier in the game, Rasmussen did the same thing. Big hit in the corner. Fox jumped on him and started trying to punch him into the ice. Ras got the 2 for roughing and charging (There was absolutely no charge), and the Rangers got a Power Play. I think the NHL plays favorites, truly. Some players pay the price of that.

[@calebowman9782]

I can see the 5 min major, but then a game misconduct and a fine?? That was overkill. And then for everyone else in the league only getting minors or in some cases no call it’s baffling.

[@iamwesterncanadian570]

Gary Bettman three ring circus

[@derricklafrance9440]

Based on the screenshot, the bad decision comes from a control room in Toronto. The ref just delivers the bad news.

[@sportscarddealfinder]

I know I'm a homer but I thought last night's cross check against Ras should have been a 5-minute major like Larks.

[@phantomJK]

Ranger fan here. Yup Detroit got boned by the refs.

[@bobvanderwoude7157]

Larks was punished for being a Red Wing. That’s what it looks like to me.

[@chriscole5658]

I haven’t watched a full game in over a decade because of horrible officiating, but it’s not just hockey, football and even baseball are bad too. Fans are leaving major league sports and the leagues say they don’t know why, it starts with officials being bad at their jobs!

[@braxtoncaldwell3452]

Even as a Rangers fan I would have been ok with a major. The lack of consistency is beyond frustrating

[@TeemoQuinton]

The lack of a major is likely down to the lack of this causing a cut. Thats why Larkin got booted.its wording in the book and they can only call minor or major as per it, a major being an AUTOMATIC game misconduct. They didnt just throw that in, they literally had to because the Larkin hit caused bleeding. That was the only call they COULD make... unless you'd rather a no call (imo crosschecks should always be called)

[@braxtoncaldwell3452]

@@TeemoQuinton interesting I didn't know that

[@christianseibert9953]

I’ve been saying it for a while now and everyone says I’m overreacting the nhl officiating is really becoming an issue

[@francoisverkoczy5659]

You are right on the money here, well done.

[@111oooo]

Very good post thank you👍. Bad officiating in baseball is being called out on other posts, time hockey gets the same

[@rainyday5654]

In a business course I took a few years ago, my instructor advised that if a chief executive of an organization that you are working for has a financial, legal or accounting background, that it is a red flag and that the focus of the company is not aligned with its trade and that you should look at moving to another organization which is led by a chief that has actual experience in that field. The NHL is led by a CEO that does not have expertise in anything except financial, legal and accounting. The performance of the league officiating is a symptom of this and as long as the chief executive of the league does not come from a hockey background, the players safety will continue to be compromised. Unfortunately as the NHL is the only major hockey league, the players don’t have a choice.

[@NWA320DRVR]

Totally agree. Consistency is lacking. I don't think I've ever heard the league say "Yeah, we missed that one," or "Yep, should've been a major." Mistakes happen. Everyone gets that. But FFS own up to it.

[@Cyberlunk]

how did the Red Wings coach not lose his mind after all this? I definitely would have blasted the NHL for this nonsense.

[@JeremyCuddles]

I really think the worst part about this is the fact the Lindgren hit was reviewed in Toronto. We can be mad at the officials, but when the people in charge also fuck it up. WITH THE BENEFIT OF REPLAYS. It really speaks to how bad the entire thing is. It's not just the officiating that needs work. The entire machine needs work.

[@burkey8677]

Officiating is in the gutter, more so this season than any other. Not only in the NHL but hockey leagues across the world. My local team in the UK had a guy get a 2 minute penalty for celebrating a goal. Now if he had went to the opposition bench giving it out ok but he was with his team mates at the other side of the ice

[@Adducantur14]

As an Oilers fan, I’m upset about offside rules and the definition of “distinct kicking motion”

[@izzyswiff1368]

I watch a lot of different games and the refs are horrible in all of them. It’s like they try to sway they outcome. I’m thinking sports betting is the problem.

[@seanwallace89]

Bettman will probably give referees raises... his goal is to disappoint fans and and make the NHL as least entertaining as possible

[@bartsanders1553]

The most disgusting thing about all this is there wasn't even a reminder to gamble.

[@krakhedd]

Spot-on......no-call from Cernak hitting Okposo last night was pretty wrong too

[@billkammermeier]

Does Dylan Larkin have a reputation? Sometimes they go after guys with a reputation

[@jonathangarmuth8975]

His reputation iis....He's fast. He's not chirping guys after he gets them up high like lindgren

[@steezyg35]

As a MN wild fan i can 100% whole heartedly agree that the officiating has been horrible and alot of games look one sided like theres attempts to sway the game, and im not just talking against my team. Ive seen it where they favor us and just let blatant calls go. I feel like the guys wearing stripes should be held accountable just as the players are for their mistakes..

[@uranium54321]

You know it’s bad when the same title could apply to multiple games from the same night. The 3rd period of the Lightning-Sabres game at the exact same time had some horrendous officiating as well… TB’s Cernak elbowed Buffalo’s Okposo in the face hard enough that his lip was bleeding afterward, no call. Ok so maybe they didn’t want to make a call at such a crucial moment in the game, after all there was just about 2 minutes left in regulation. Fair enough. BUT THEN with 10 seconds left, they called the most bs ticky-tack delay of game penalty possible against Buffalo. I agree that technically it was a penalty, but the problem I have with it is that they called that and NOT the Cernak elbow. If they called both I would have no issue. Making it even worse, they reviewed the delay of game penalty before giving it out but they never reviewed the elbow

[@vinnyjohnson2530]

When you’re a fan of any team, you always think the refs are just against your team. In this case, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one realizing the ridiculousness of these calls

[@paull4968]

Minor for crosschecking for the NYR. That was the same play. Cannot believe they are the same play and not called the same! Should get it right the first time.

[@michaelhochstetler8483]

Disgusting is right, literally identical plays!

[@drumcatnau]

Cross-check above the shoulders should be a major every time. Those two are just perplexing.

[@jamesoaks1120]

If red wings do it, its a game misconduct, ejection and a fine, any other team does it, its a simple 2 minute cross checking

[@cam1398]

This was awful. Just as bad later that they gave Rasmussen a boarding call for a clean check on Panarin. Then he actually got boarded and mobbed by 3 Rangers after the hit. It's really on official #28 Chris Lee for not making the right call in first place, he had a smirk and seemed to be enjoying his own clown show.

[@KillerSniper55]

This year it was new that the officials can review any penalty, even minor ones.

[@pwvincil]

Been watching hockey for nearly 30 years now. I've never been more confused on rules and penalties than I am now. There's no consistency to the calls and honestly the reviews seem to make it worse in some cases.

[@loganacuff]

appreciate your insight my guy.

[@theodorebelmont7922]

Cross checks up high should be outlawed all together. Its terrible and we don't need it in the game anymore. Most vicious cross check was Dave Brown on Tomas Sandstrom

[@rrl4245]

You're right. Pathetic. The league owes us an explanation, and an apology, for their inconsistencies.

[@arionrowan5273]

They have the picks, they just trying to work em through.

[@geo4_punter8]

I am a rangers/knights/wings fan, and the refs have been awful! Not just hockey, but basketball, soccer, and football as well...

[@dylanhope3252]

From what I heard, it was initially a major. For some reason, they decided to bring it down to a minor. Such a joke.

[@jankmedia1985]

Saw this last night. Pretty ridiculous to say the least.

[@Townshend90125]

As a rangers fan I don’t agree with the 2 minute penalty we clearly deserved the full 5 minute penalty.

[@CJM51392]

Trying to concuss people is a key component of the Rangers' gameplan. You can't call that a major.

[@northlander4370]

Years ago there was only one referee and two linesmen ...now they have two ref,s and cant get it right !

[@kylek29]

I'm thinking the league may have told them they can't elevate to a 5-min because they called it a 2-min on the ice, and thus aren't allowed to review it, which (I believe) is the rule. The refs messed up here, they usually call something like this a 5-min now so they can review it because they can always drop it to a 2-min.

[@bobsmith9261]

As a 37-year veteran official, I have found myself on comment boards like this defending officials and explaining rule interpretations until I am blue in the face. More and more, I am having to agree with videos like this that the inconsistency is mind-boggling. It is my belief that all of this inconsistency and poor officiating is largely due to the the NHL's adopted recruitment strategy several years ago to focus on former high-level players rather than further supporting and building development programs. They move them to professional levels much too quickly and based on a false assumption that former players understand how to call a game better. I believe that years (and I mean a decade or more) of officiating high-level amateur hockey is the best training ground for the NHL. It teaches discipline, consistency, professionalism, and the all-important skill of conflict management. Most crucially, officiating experience is the ONLY way to develop good penalty-selection prowess that balances fairness and safety. But what the heck do I know. 🙂

[@garthvater]

Here in Edmonton, our minor hockey league calls any incidental head contact with a stick a minor without injury. If there is injury we can call a minor with a game misconduct. For intentional head contact with a stick it's a double minor or potentially a major (all majors come with a game misconduct in Edmonton minor hockey). It simply just works, why a home town leauge has it figured out yet the NHL can't is insane. There has to be some major internal dispute around this ruling, and it's really unfortunate for the fans, and especially the players.

[@KFARR]

As a Detroit fan we regularly get screwed by refs in all sports Also the rangers played extremely dirty tonight and the refs missed a clear high sticking and a roughing plus cross checkingx5 on fox

[@michaelsaad684]

You are balls on accurate !! AND THANK YOU FOR THIS EXPOSURE. (Woke Toronto BS...)