Playoff officiating may lead to the Leafs having to adjust their play style on a game-to-game basis
For years fans have lamented the Leafs lack of playoff toughness. For 5 straight years they've been hooked, held, run at and just plain beat up in the post season without so much as a peep from the officials. Some fans said they needed to get tougher, meaner. Others criticized the officiating, begging for them to call the rulebook. It seems both groups have gotten their wishes at the same time. That's a problem.
Remember game 2 in 2019, Leafs and Bruins. Jake DeBrusk threw a dirty knee at Nazem Kadri and engaged him in a completely one sided shoving match in the same game. Kadri, not wanting to take a penalty, didn't retaliate. The result was both players going off for roughing. Later in the game Kadri took a run at DeBrusk and caugh him in the head with a cross check. Kadri was given the first ever "series long" suspension for that. DeBrusk recieved no supplemental discipline for kneeing Kadri or for running Patrick Marleau into the stanchion.
Just 3 years ago this was considered "playoff hockey" and if the Leafs wanted a chance to win, they would have to learn how to play when the whistles were put away.
Before the series started, Sheldon Keefe said the Leafs were preparing for a "borderline violent" series. He dressed both Kyle Clifford and Wayne Simmonds in game 1, where Clifford was ejected before the end of the first period. In game 2 the Leafs were shorthanded an incredible 7 times. Apparently the NHL has decided to crack down in this year's playoffs, the problem is, they seem to have forgotten to tell the teams playing in them. The Leafs, who were gearing up for all out war with the Lightning, now find themselves having to adjust on the fly to yet another new officiating standard.
Now, we all know how its going to go. The Leafs will tone down the physicality and the after the whistle shenanigans that used to be fair game, they may even scratch Wayne Simmonds, who's 2 penalties in Game 2 cost the Leafs a chance to win the game. As soon as that happens, playoff rules will come back into effect. We all know its going to happen.
So, how do the Leafs win the series? How do they counteract the refereeing? If they can figure out exactly where the line is with the officials and play at or near it, they'll be fine. The issue is, the line moves and the rules change depending on score, time, and the referees' mood. Its a difficult enough task to handle made even tougher by the fact they're playing against the 2 time defending Stanley Cup Champions. At the end of the day however, all that matters is winning. There are no acceptable excuses. Win or go home. I much prefer the former.
| POLL | ||
MAI 6 | 12 ANSWERS Playoff officiating may lead to the Leafs having to adjust their play style on a game-to-game basis What have you thought about the playoff officiating so far? | ||
| It's been completely fine | 2 | 16.7 % |
| About normal, maybe a bit softer than normal | 5 | 41.7 % |
| It's been awful | 5 | 41.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
