Oilers Coach Knoblauch Asks Referees to Call More Penalties

Last night was truly a horribly officiated game for both sides, with both teams getting away with inexplicable infractions and being called for pretty much random ones. The officiating was so inconsistent that it actually became a topic of discussion for Hockey Night in Canada. It's very rare the broadcast will criticize the officiating, but the moment called for it - and it was a bad look for the NHL.

There were numerous instances of interference, high sticks, boarding, holding, and everything else on both sides that was let go by the referees, only to call ticky-tacky penalties elsewhere. Even Thomas Drance, a Canucks writer for the Athletic, said that the officiating has undoubtedly been biased towards Vancouver so far. To this point in the series, the Canucks incredibly only have two penalties that weren't automatic calls.

With special teams strength being such a big factor in the Oilers success, the lack of penalties being called is a significant disadvantage - even more so when it clearly favours the Canucks. It's simply unbelievable that the Canucks have only committed two infractions against the Oilers in this series. Anyone with eyes can see there's multiple penalties committed against McDavid almost every shift.