Officiating Takes Center Stage Midway Through NHL Playoffs
AP -- Officiating is taking center stage midway through the NHL playoffs. Connor McDavid didn't draw a single penalty in Edmonton's first-round loss by sweep. Tampa Bay beat Carolina almost singlehandedly because of a potent power play.
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And the war of words between Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy and Islanders counterpart Barry Trotz ratcheted up the rhetoric throughout that series. The calls that are being made and not made by linesmen and referees and the ensuing power plays are starting to tip the balance of the postseason.