Quote:
Originally Posted by topfiverecords
Refs in 6
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I am worried about this. I could absolutely see Bettman telling the refs to start calling more infractions after watching the first round… the low shot volumes, the low scoring and the predictable series outcomes made for for a terrible first round. His solution will be more penalties = more scoring. Unfortunately, this plays into the hands of the Oilers.
This series, just like any series with the Oilers, will be decided by the refs. If they stick to playoff hockey and don’t call every ticky-tack play… this will go to the Canucks. If there are more than 7 penalties per game, the advantage shifts to Edmonton.
The problem is that the league/refs will consider it fair if they give the Canucks the same number of powerplays as the oilers in each game. But the problem is that the oilers are a team that is built to win exclusively through powerplays. Every series they ever play (even the ones against be kings that they constantly win), the oilers get dominated at 5-on-5. It’s the reason they get worse every round they get through in a typical playoff… there are fewer and fewer penalties in each round and the oilers get caved in at 5-on-5.
This is a unique year where penalties were down in the first round and so was scoring. Bettman will make the refs call more powerplays which tilts things in Edmonton’s favour. I think every team should have to go through the same grind as other teams that have won cups/made the finals in years past. It should be a grind of playoff-style hockey… not a game of diving and powerplays. Which, unfortunately, is what I’m expecting in this round.