Referees draw criticism for bizarre Oilers trend emerging this season
Photo credit: Perry Nelson - Imagn Images
According to a recent report, the Edmonton Oilers are drawing the least amount of penalties in the league this year.
Whether lack of effort or lack of calls, Oilers not getting enough powerplay-time
The Oilers, of course, are not new to being overlooked by the referees, as seemed to be the case in last year's post-season, when McDavid suggested the refs were being weak on penalty calls.
Oilers coach Knoblauch had also commented on the team's penalty-disparity, making an effort to not over-step his boundaries.
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
This season, however, the circumstances are somewhat different. When at their best, the Oilers have possession play with high-possession and with intensity, controlling the game with skill and in transition, getting calls against because they've earned them.
That has not been the case this season. I'm not saying it's right that the Oilers are not getting its fair share of penalty calls from the refs. Yet, it's how referees call the game. When your moving your legs on the ice and playing hard, you're more likely to get the penalty call against.
By McDavid's own admission, the team has not played the right way this season, saying that the Oilers 'need to start by simply doing the little things right, citing that the squad's flow has felt disconnected, making things difficult for Edmonton to play the way that makes them successful.'
"We're not closing them out, something we're normally quite good at. That hasn't been the trend this year, something we have to figure out. And it's been that way for a little bit,» McDavid said. "We have to get on the forecheck, get some pucks back, get through the neutral zone, that's been a real problem for us, and we have to find a way to do a better job of it.»
When the Oilers play like that, they'll get the calls from the referees. Unfortunately, that's just the way it is.
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