Dr John Carlson
Registered User
They could also learn how to drive the play and maintain posession during the playoffs, which leads to more penalties drawn (among other obvious benefits).
They could also learn how to drive the play and maintain posession during the playoffs, which leads to more penalties drawn (among other obvious benefits).
It's pretty clear to me the refs have some conscious or unconscious tendency toward avoiding awarding PPs to good PP teams in the playoffs. No ref wants to be criticized for handing a win to a team via a penalty call, and the playoffs are when refs are expected to "let them play".
But why do the other teams seem to get so many calls? Well, other than Semin and maybe Mojo, nobody on the Caps was willing to go down and draw a penalty. Other teams in the league dive like there's money buried in the ice while our guys stupidly play right into it. Our opponents know they can get away with it and they know it's their best defense against our offense. Yet we never adjust.
This may sound stupid but IMO if the Caps want to reverse that awful trend they need to maintain a moderately successful but inconspicuous power play during the regular season and gain a reputation for never diving. Then in the playoffs start looking to draw calls like crazy while unleashing the PP hounds.
So crazy it just might work....
I don't buy this post completely. I agree that officials do make even up calls. Especially in the playoffs. Its sickening to watch vat times. But I do believe that some teams and players get the benefit of the doubt from officials. Crosby is a good example. He is one of the dirtiest players in the league and gets away with a lot. Then on the other side you get players that have gotten a bad rep and will get penalties called against them when there ius no infraction. This is nothing new. It is unfortunate but its true.Agreed refs sometimes even up calls sometimes and they tend to let things go when one team gets a bigger lead, but generally over time disciplined teams get called less and undisciplined teams get called more, a bad call here and there has very little impact.
And I don't understand your 2nd point, why would we be favored in a 50/50 game, shouldn't a 50/50 game be... 50/50... and what the hell is a 50/50 game? You call penalties as they are committed, refs shouldn't have a 50/50 bias in the back of there head, that's the bad reffing you are referring to.
The real issue is we are rarely the more disciplined team, hell it's a big part of the opponents game plan to not give us powerplays. Stay out the box and you've dismantled our teams biggest strength for the past 10 years.
Huh, a significant hockey trade in November.
Of course, in the final 5 minutes of regulation, the NYI-Pitt game ends up tied.
Metro is brutal. I honestly dont know which of the 6 teams misses out. My heart says "please dont be the Caps", while my head looks at Isles and Devils and thinks its one of them. Isles due to Goal-tending, Devils due to Offense. That said, it could be Rags or Jackets too. Rags D and G could be suspect, and the Jackets O is not strong.
Or.... the Caps, due to injuries and passive attitude on making the playoffs after the last 2 years disappointments.
I'm pretty sure the Pens will make it, and if they dont, the NHL will help them. Cant have the 2 time reigning champs on the outside looking in. Just wont happen
I really have no clue who is going to make the playoffs from the Metropolitan. Right now its looks like a good chance 5 teams from the division could make it. I don't want to speculate where we will finish. I'm hoping in the top 2 in the division but who knows. I think if we can get our guys back and stay healthy, we have a chance at a division title.We're going to make it and face Columbus or Tampa in the first round. Mark my words.