The NHL now conspires for the Sabres

[Laperriere22]

I've seen three separate issues in these playoffs that have favored the Sabres. The first was a horrid call on Randy Robitaille with about 1:30 left in Game 3. Sabres d-man (think it was Lydman, but don't hold me to it) is gassed, falls down while trying to move the puck, and because an Islander was in the area, the ref puts Robitaille in the box for tripping. This with the Islanders down a goal (3-2 in the game at the point) in a 1-1 series and the Islanders carrying the play to the Sabres. Very influential and crappy call. There's no guarantee the Islanders would have tied the game, but the bad call removed any real chance the Islanders had of scoring.

Then there's the Pominville punched goal against the Rangers in Game 1. A more obvious no goal you will not find. Pominville clearly took his right hand off his stick and hits the puck with his glove into the net. Intent isn't important in that case. Didn't make contact with his stick on the puck nor did he leave his hand on his stick. That's no goal in every league I've ever seen. Yet magically it's a goal for the Sabres.

And lastly was the one they wouldn't shut up about yesterday. Rachunek's "kicking motion" that nullified a good goal. Only Hull was convinced it wasn't a goal. That being called no goal is flat out absurd. It goes against every other precedent already set in those situations. Rachunek tried to play the puck with his stick, misses it, and then has to stop from destroying Miller in a head-on collision.

I don't like any of the teams involved before someone cries about a hidden agenda. As a hockey fan, I don't like to see ridiculously bad officiating ever, but it's worse when it starts to favor one team more consistently than another. And let it be said that Devorski and Larue did the league no favors with their horribly one-sided officiating in yesterday's game.

Watching the way the Sabres are being treated in this playoff year makes me recall some awesome rec league times I've experienced where the house team gets the calls. The Sabres are a fancy and ridiculously soft group of players. There's not a whole lot of heart on their team, but there's plenty of embellishment.

Blah.

[John F]

Sometimes I think the entire "Conspire" stuff is BS... We all think people are being partial because the calls or lack of calls effect our teams personally...

Then I see NHL playoff hockey and you start wondering if referees in the league are really this bad or are they taking marching orders from the league office? Lack of calls, suspect calls, etc.

Being a Lightning fan and seeing perennial Lady Byng candidate Brad Richards called several times for hooking while seeing a lack of calls against the Devils for manhandling Martin St. Louis (roughing, hooking, tripping, boarding, etc).. you had to think the fix was in.

The league does nothing to heighten confidence among the fans that the referee staff are impartial and held accountable for bad calls or suspect calls (or non calls of clear violations). Colin Campbell only believes an "on ice incident" is when a player is hurt. That or his marching orders are let'em play and help the key media markets along come playoff time.

[Drury77]

Well I'd tend to agree there is some preferential treatment to the Sabres, being a Bruins fan I know how much that team dives, and gets away with it.

I agree that Rachunek's goal shoulda counted, Hull has no business talking about questionable calls, I mean he is the one who defined the crease area for godsake.

Personally I'm rooting for an all Canadien SCF, wether I get that or not remainds to be seen.