Bizarre trend with NHL referees continues in Oilers and Vegas playoff series
Photo credit: USA Today Sports
The Edmonton Oilers have been one of the leading possession teams all playoffs, but still have never once had a powerplay advantage in a game.
Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch and multiple insiders have pointed out this bizarre trend earlier this playoffs, and yet it's still continued well into the Vegas series.
Bizarre referee trend continues in Oilers Vegas series
Now through 10 playoff games with the Oilers controlling play and possession in a majority of them, Edmonton has never had a playoff advantage.
By measuring which team has had the most time spent on a powerplay relative to their penalty kill time, the Oilers rank dead last in the league. That's a hard fact to square when they also lead the NHL in expected goals, and leading possession stats.
The Oilers have played through some incredibly obvious non-calls, both that are blown up by fans and many others that barely go noticed. Connor McDavid alone probably has 2 to 3 penalties committed against him per game, and yet they're almost never called.
Coach Knoblauch addressed the problem in the first round of the playoffs, admitting the trend was bizarre, but also saying the referees do their best.
There's certainties in life. Death, taxes, and being upset about the referee. Whether you're a coach, a fan, or a player, you're always going to be upset. There's always going to be missed calls, whether they're called against you or not called in your favour.
- Coach Knoblauch
- Coach Knoblauch
It's ridiculous frankly how little the Oilers earn powerplays, but it's just another piece of adversity the team has to push through on their quest for a Stanley Cup.
| POLL | ||
MAI 13 | 776 ANSWERS Bizarre trend with NHL referees continues in Oilers and Vegas playoff series Do you think the referees are calling Oilers games fair? | ||
| Yes | 117 | 15.1 % |
| No | 659 | 84.9 % |
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