New York Rangers Saw Better Officiating in 2015 NHL Playoffs
If you were watching the New York Rangers‘ 2014 Playoff run, it was guaranteed that you were ticked off, or about to be ticked off, by a referee.
Not for nothing, but the guys in stripes were coming up with some seriously ridiculous calls against New York. If this had happened to any other team, I’m sure their fans would have completely felt the same way – butt hurt, yet for absolutely valid reasons.
New York Rangers
The NHL itself even admitted to two goals against the Rangers during the Cup Final that should have never been allowed. That is a huge mistake by the refs because 1) these are goals we’re talking about and not just a couple of penalties, and 2) this happened in the Final, the most critical point of the Playoffs.
There’s no use in speculating what could’ve happened had the refs made the correct calls at the time. But it was important that better referring was put in place. And there was.
This year was different, at least from the New York Rangers’ stance. Most calls were fair and the refs immediately caught a no goal during Round Two.
Up against the Washington Capitals, Joel Ward had interfered with Henrik Lundqvist and a ref immediately waived off the resulting goal. You can see and hear exactly how it went down in NHL.com’s Best of the Refs Video. Click that link to watch.
So, while the Rangers didn’t make it as far this year as they had last year, at least they did so without the fans wondering about a bunch of what ifs pertaining to the refs’ calls. We expected fair judgement on the ice and we got it…but maybe we got a little more than that as well.
More from Rangers News
- Blake Wheeler’s Broadway Calling: Why He Chose the Rangers
- Rangers’ Playoff Redemption Recipe: Grit and Fresh Hopes
- Brennan Othmann and Will Cuylle Set to Shine in the NHLPA Rookie Showcase
- Chris Kreider has had quite the Summer
- Andy Hosler Takes Helm as Head Athletic Trainer for the New York Rangers, Succeeding Jim Ramsay
Officiating seemed to be in favor of the Blueshirts at times. In Round One, the Pittsburgh Penguins took penalties left and right – a lot were definitely fair while a couple others were questionable.
It was surprising for a ton of calls to be in favor of New York, especially the questionable ones considering how the zebras trampled over the Rangers last year. But what kind of hockey fan is going to complain about any call going their way? Let’s be honest.
In short: Aside from the slightly lopsided calls being a nice touch, officiating was undoubtedly better during the Playoffs this year than the last’s – at least for New York.
What’s important now is for all refs to be sharp and fair to every team in the league. Costly mistakes, like the ones made in the 2014 Cup Final, should be avoided no matter who’s on the ice. If the refs can accomplish that, fans everywhere will have an easier time simply enjoying the game.
Next: Top Three Teams Eying Cam Talbot
More from Blue Line Station
- Blake Wheeler’s Broadway Calling: Why He Chose the Rangers
- Rangers’ Playoff Redemption Recipe: Grit and Fresh Hopes
- Rangers’ Roster Chatter: Who’s Making the Cut and Who’s in the Penalty Box?
- Jacque Plante Trade Tree Between the Rangers and Canadiens
- These Rangers must learn Peter Laviolette’s ropes before they can fly