NHL cuts controversial referee out of playoffs who has history with the Oilers
Photo credit: Perry Nelson - Imagn Images
The NHL has announced the referees selected to call this year's playoffs, and have notably excluded veteran Chris Lee - a referee who has a history with the Oilers and many other teams in the league.
Chris Lee was also at the center of another controversial game this year, as one Oilers and Canucks game melted down until Connor McDavid cross checked Connor Garland, earning a suspension.
NHL does not select Chris Lee to officiate playoff games
The NHL has released their list of officials who will work playoff games this year, and notably Chris Lee has been omitted.
The 54 year old referee has worked 1418 regular season games, and 120 playoff games. making him one of the NHL's most experienced referees. And yet, most fanbases seem to have on clear complaint about Lee.
The veteran Lee ranks in the lower percentages of actual penalties called for NHL referees. He seems to live by the «let 'em play» mentality, which always pops back up in the playoffs.
The problem with the mentality for the Oilers is their all world powerplay. Edmonton is lethal on the man advantage and wants to get them out as much as possible - which doesn't happen if the referees don't believe in calling penalties.
Not only that, but the «let 'em play» mentality always makes games devolve into scrum-fests, or even worse, someone does something stupid and gets suspended.
Chris Lee failed to control an Oilers and Canucks game this year, and it cost McDavid a three game suspension.
Oilers and NHL will be better off for refereeing decision
By weeding out a referee who consistently has called less penalties than average, the NHL actually is making a step toward improving the refs in the playoffs.
Fans and players want consistency. If there's a penalty, it should be called - regardless of the score, the penalty differential, or anything else.
If the NHL really does make meaningful change to the officiating in the playoffs, it will favour skill teams with elite powerplays, just like the Oilers.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 19 | 772 ANSWERS NHL cuts controversial referee out of playoffs who has history with the Oilers Do you remember NHL referee Chris Lee? | ||
| Yes | 453 | 58.7 % |
| No | 319 | 41.3 % |
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