Connor McDavid and Oilers Coach call out NHL referees for brutal playoff trend
Photo credit: Edmonton Oilers Raw
The Edmonton Oilers were sunk by a brutal third period and three straight powerplay goals from the Dallas Stars in Game 1, and now McDavid and Coach Knoblauch hinted toward an issue with the referees.
Throughout the playoffs this year, the Oilers have consistently had the lowest relative share of powerplay time in the NHL - a trend that logically doesn't make sense with Edmonton's puck possession dominance.
Connor McDavid and Coach Knoblauch hint at problem with NHL referees
Connor McDavid spoke to media first, and didn't hold back in directly saying the referees called weak penalties.
It's stick penalties that are avoidable. Some weak ones too, you know. I didn't necessarily believe that all of them were maybe penalties. But you know, that's the game.
- Connor McDavid
- Connor McDavid
It's rare for any player to directly call penalty calls from a referee weak in the media, and it's especially significant to see from the NHL's best player in Connor McDavid.
The only arguable weak call last night were the hooking calls on Brett Kulak, but the high stick calls in the third were clear penalties. For McDavid to be compelled to call out referees though, it has to be a longer trend.
Oilers coach Knoblauch was the one to once again hint at the team's massive disparity in powerplay share. Knoblauch tried his hardest not to say it, but still mentioned the difference.
The more time you defend, the more time you're position to take penalties. And, um. You know, (Laughs) I'll get away from that. No criticism on the officials or anything, but just our position on powerplays for and against.
- Coach Knoblauch
- Coach Knoblauch
With how much the Oilers have the puck, and opposition players take liberties trying to defend McDavid, it's absolutely absurd the Oilers have the lowest share of powerplay time of any team still in the playoffs.
Hopefully, hearing a call out from Connor McDavid gets the attention of the NHL, and more attention is paid by the referees.
| POLL | ||
MAI 22 | 1052 ANSWERS Connor McDavid and Oilers Coach call out NHL referees for brutal playoff trend Do you think the referees have called the Oilers playoffs fairly? | ||
| Yes | 226 | 21.5 % |
| No | 826 | 78.5 % |
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