NHL experts admit referees made major mistake in Oilers Kings Game 5

Earlier this week, the NHL announced a suspension for Aaron Ekblad's brutal check on Brandon Hagel - that went uncalled as a referee stood a foot away watching.

In a scramble for a loose puck in the Kings' crease, Quinton Byfield clearly covered the puck with his hand to get a stoppage in play. NHL rules experts at Scouting the Refs confirmed that this should have resulted in a penalty shot.

Thankfully it didn't end up being a consequential play for the Oilers, but in a tie game, this is a brutal call for the referees to miss - especially when Byfield so obviously dived on the puck.

Not only that, but once again, the referees were clearly able to view the play but decided not to give the Oilers the penalty shot.

The referees explicitly try to employ a method of game management, keeping penalty calls close and trying to not influence the game.

However, when they're not calling the rule book that could give one team a goal, they are in fact affecting the game. There needs to be a real change with NHL referees.

Regardless of these missed calls, the Oilers would not be denied last night. Their total dominance from puck drop made their own luck, and despite a great effort from their goaltender, the oilers pulled ahead in a pivotal game 5. Now, they'll need to end it in Alberta.