NHL referees take serious heat for major problem in Oilers and Kings playoff series
Photo credit: Perry Nelson - Imagn Images
NHL referees often try to employ a strategy of game management to keep penalty calls close, but the Oilers and Kings series has seen a wide difference in calls.
Prior to the playoffs the NHL made the decision to cut some referees known for allowing more infractions, but it hasn't made much of a difference for Edmonton.
Oilers fans call out major problem with referees in playoff series against Kings
Entering Game 4, the Oilers had the least amount of time on the powerplay in the NHL playoffs, and the Kings had the most. It's not reflective of the actual penalties on the ice, and far from their actual goal of game management.
The wide penalty differential has clearly begun to frustrate the Oilers, who rely on their powerplay as one of the greatest strengths of their team.
Connor McDavid was seen at one moment telling the referees that they need to do their jobs, and Leon Draisaitl was also seen arguing with the officials through the game.
Fans always do argue about penalty calls, but with such a wide differential, there's definitely a point.
In the end though, the Oilers got the critical penalty call in overtime that lead to them winning the game, and potentially coming back to win the series. The tripping call wasn't the best, but the Oilers had paid their dues.
Hopefully the Oilers can get on the better side of the officials in the later stretch of this series. At the very least, the penalty differential should begin to shift towards equal.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 28 | 1045 ANSWERS NHL referees take serious heat for major problem in Oilers and Kings playoff series Do you think the referees have been fair in the Oilers Kings series? | ||
| Yes | 91 | 8.7 % |
| No | 954 | 91.3 % |
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