[Split98]

I really think we can have hitting in the game without needlessly injuring players, and I think there's a pretty logical solution to all of this: officiating.

It's high time the NHL looked at what's available to them in 2018, and start calling the game accurately for once. It's especially puzzling when the refs, the players on the bench, the fans in the arena and everyone at home are all watching replays of what happened. So everyone will know what should have been done, but if it wasn't called in the moment it's left to be punished after the game... maybe. I would love to be a fly on the wall when the NHL explains why they're going to continue doing a crappy job at effectively calling a game when this subject inevitably comes up.

Anyone watching the NFL will be supremely aware of how terrible the game can be when over officiated, so if this is to work you have to actually do a good job. We are rightfully fearful whenever officiating gets involved in any sport, but for once it would be great to see them do it right and help the game along instead of hinder it.

So far, however, we've heard good things about the video reffing the World Cup used:


You can have a video room where the refs could potentially discuss this and come to a consensus on how to handle it on the ice. I could see a horn going off to interrupt the game, or a light in situations like this to tell everyone the play is being reviewed. Either way, it could be injected into today's game very easily.

In this case, they'd watch Matheson get beat in the corner and follow the kid to the boards. They would notice that Matheson kept a pretty sharp eye on him when they play was away from Elias - seemingly more than most defenders would need to normally. You'd almost think that he was staring at him in anger... before he injured him. I think you take him out of the game and give the Canucks a substantial powerplay. DOPS can handle the rest if they need to, but I think getting the boot AND costing your team mightily does far more than post-game suspensions. There's a lot to be said for what players are willing to do in the moment if the consequences are deferred (and intermittent).

Getting the correct call will speed up the game too. We're watching a game where players are flying around hard ice with knives on their feet, and swinging an axe that sends a murder disc at high velocities. Injuries will happen from time-to-time, and there's an opportunity for officiating to get that right as well. Someone who can look back, see multiple angles, see how the play developed, and is aware of the narrative this game has been taking so far is going to have an opportunity to make a pretty accurate decision up there. If Pettersson was injured on the 1st hit, and there was no body-slam - then there's no penalty, regardless of how injured the kid is. The Canucks just have to realize this 150lb kid isn't ready to play at the NHL level. You can score, but the game is more than that. I can probably set a pretty sweet luge time too, but if I don't know what I'm doing I'm probably going to get hurt.

Again with the NFL, but we see players fearful of tackling a QB and being penalized for it. The result has been a much worse game, and we hear much of the same with hockey and hitting. But I think getting the calls right will open up the play more, if anything. If a player knows he can go to the boards with another player and not be penalized for accidental injuries, I think they play a bit more free. You have control of how much you respect the players on the ice, and the guys out there who have an issue keeping their knees in are going to be seeing a lot of the locker room. Good. Players are also going to be playing much bigger when they know the predators are being watched too.

I also don't think we lose Johnny to a broken wrist, either. Someone engaged in that game should have noticed that was the Wild's gameplan to hack Johnny, and either prevented it or punished it for what it was. That Staal wack is a lot more intentional if you're seeing (as the fans do) what's going on. I'm very confident that taking him out of the game was the goal. Just look at what wasn't called that game:


But you keep the hard hits and you keep the intimidation and speed in the game. But when idiots out there decide to take liberties, you make sure you can address that immediately. I really think that goes a long way to taking fighting out of the game, removing a teams need to retaliate throughout the game, and you prevent these careless and dangerous actions by ensuring they are addressed and penalized in the game they're attached to.