Caps/Pens Officiating

[wide_awake]

I saw this on a Capitals board, found it pretty interesting...

source (http://boards.washingtoncaps.com/index.php?showtopic=87708)

there is a perception around the league that Pittsburgh gets a clear "benefit of the doubt" when it comes to the officials. It may be fair or unfair. Jealous perception is one thing, maybe backing it up with some facts is another. You be the judge.

There are multiple 50/50 situations throughout a hockey game, and much like football and holding, they could potentially whistle you for 15 penalties a game or as little as 2 per game. You see it all the time, a guy gets crosschecked on one end...weeeet...penalty. Same things happens 5 minutes later in the other end....nothing. So, it's eye opening to see a wide disparity over the course of a series.

So, let's take a look at the numbers....

Regular Season:

Caps averaged 5.04 minors/game
Pens 4.84 minors/game

Caps/Pens series:

Caps: 4.87 minors/game (-3.4%)
Pens at 2.71 minors/game (-44%)

So, the Caps recieved the same # of minors as they did per game in the regular season. Calls on Pens down 44%.

# of PP's:

@Wash: Pitt 5, Wash 2 [Pitt 1-5, Wash 1-2]
@Wash: Pitt 5, Wash 5 [Pitt 2-5, Wash 1-5]
@Pitt: Pitt 7, Wash 2 [Pitt 1-7, Wash 1-2] **game 3, chance to go 3-0
@Pitt: Pitt 6, Wash 4 [Pitt 1-6, Wash 0-4]
@Wash: Pitt 3, Wash 3 [Pitt 1-3, Wash 1-3]
@Pitt: Pitt 5, Pitt 3 [Pitt 2-5, Wash 1-3]
@Wash: Pitt 3, Wash 0 [Pitt 2-3, Wash 0-0]

Overall Power plays: Pitt 34, Wash 19
# of PP's in Wash: Pitt 16, Wash 10
# of PP's in Pitt: Pitt 18, Wash 9

Powerplays in the third period or OT of this series:

Pens - 13
Caps - 3

WOW.


You might say when the Pens carried the play and outshot the Caps.....Well, let's take a look:

Regular Season Games:

Oct 16: @ Pitt--->Wash 4 Pitt 3; Wash 30 shots Pitt 26 shots; Pitt 6 PP's, Wash 4
Jan 14: @ Pitt--->Wash 6 Pitt 3; Wash 42 shots Pitt 29 shots; Pitt 6 PP's, Wash 6
Feb 22: @ Wash--->Wash 5 Pitt 2; Wash 34 shots Pitt 33 shots; Pitt 8 PP's, Wash 3 !!!!
Mar 8: @ Wash--->Wash 3 Pitt 3; Wash 32 shots Pitt 22 shots; Pitt 4 PP's, Wash 4

Shots total: Wash 138 Pitt 110 -----> PP's Pitt 24 Wash 17

So, the Caps outshot the Pens in every regular season game, yet didn't receive more PP's in any. Outshot them by 24 shots, and had 7 less PP's. Strange. The one game in Washington, the Pens received 5 more PP's despite being outshot. So much for home ice!

In 11 games played between the two clubs, Washington did not receive more PP's in a single game. Not once in 11. Even when they outshot the Pens by 13 shots, nope. Clearly, shots weren't a factor when the shoe was on the other foot.

Not to mention, if you get two or three more PP's, it will inflate your shots totals. You can get 3-4 shots per powerplay, and it's unlikely the opponent will get a single shot during that time. So, if you get 5 more PP's, it's not at all unlikely, you'll outshoot the opponent by 15-20, even if the even strength play is even.


Misc Notes

• Every game the Caps scored on a PP, they didn't receive another power play the rest of the game. And that happened in 5 games!

• With 30 seconds left in the 2nd period of game 6, Semin has a breakway, and Hal Gill tries the diving stick sweep. Not only does his stick strike through both of Semins skates, making him lose the edges and fall, then Gill slides through Semin, and at no point does the stick or Gill ever touch the puck. It was a clear, 100% penalty, and could have even been called a penalty shot. What do the Caps get? Judging by the way the series was called, I cant imagine that would have been a no call for Pitt. Heck, they called the exact same thing a penalty in game 5 OT when Malkin was tripped by a diving stick.

• In critical game 3, between a 2-1 series and a 3-0 series, Pens had a whopping 7-2 edge in PP's.

• In game 6, the call that gave the Pens a PP with two minutes left tied at 4-4...don't get me started. A one handed slash? That is NEVER called in any regular season game, much less a playoff game. Had that been called against the Pens, the refs would have never made it out of the Igloo alive. A dude better get his leg chopped off to call penalty with 2 minutes left in a tie game 6.

• You could say "well the home team gets the calls".....well, I'm still waiting for the calls in Wash....In four games in Washington, Wash never had more PP's.


I do know this, if the situation had been flipped, and the Caps had been the recipient of TWICE as many PP's as the Pens, I'm quite sure it would have been an issue, or at the very least, a topic of conversation with the Pens and their fans. Yet, I'm sure I'm just whining.

[BigCountry]

The series went to 7 games and the refs had nothing to do with the game 7 massacre. The better team won the series.

[RedskinsDave]

The series went to 7 games and the refs had nothing to do with the game 7 massacre. The better team won the series.

If the refs called it even, we wouldn't have seen game 7.

[Fathead]

Cry more.

[firehawk157]

Cry more.
It's worthy of discussion among fans.

[BigCountry]

Cry more.

+1

[BigCountry]

If the refs called it even, we wouldn't have seen game 7.

So it was the refs who heavily outshot the Caps in the last 3 games of the series? Bitter is a bad flavor.

[CarMike]

Cry more.

Oooh, nice comeback. Nothing better to say....leave it that way.

wideawake, thanks for getting my blood pressure up again. lol

I was over the loss till those stats.

Bitter taste? You damn right. But don't let the stats tell you the story. Just keep on drinking that punk ass Crosby koolaid.

You of all people should know the taste of bitter. You're a Redskins as well. Like we all are.

[BigCountry]

Oooh, nice comeback. Nothing better to say....leave it that way.

wideawake, thanks for getting my blood pressure up again. lol

I was over the loss till those stats.

Bitter taste? You damn right. But don't let the stats tell you the story. Just keep on drinking that punk ass Crosby koolaid.

You of all people should know the taste of bitter. You're a Redskins as well. Like we all are.

Which is why I know there are always more reasons to failures then the refs. Crosby stepped up to the plate and say what you want about him, had a great series when all eyes were on him.

[Fathead]

If you feel the need to pin the blame for blowing a 2-0 lead and losing big on home ice in a game seven on officiating, well, have a good time, but you still come off as huge crybabies.

[RedskinsDave]

Oh horse crap. I love when fans with no horse in the race and who most likely didn't even watch a single game like to chime in. I can and will stand by the fact that the refs called a horribly uneven series. That said, the collapse in game 7 is all on the Caps. You'd be bitter too but go ahead and act like you wouldn't.

You two who felt the need to chime in when you obviously should have left it alone may want to tell us who your teams are and whether you even saw a single game.

[BigCountry]

Oh horse crap. I love when fans with no horse in the race and who most likely didn't even watch a single game like to chime in. I can and will stand by the fact that the refs called a horribly uneven series. That said, the collapse in game 7 is all on the Caps. You'd be bitter too but go ahead and act like you wouldn't.

You two who felt the need to chime in when you obviously should have left it alone may want to tell us who your teams are and whether you even saw a single game.

I saw every game except game two and the third period of game 7 because I had to work and I've been a Pens fan since 1998 so my horse is very much in the race. Hopefully that meets your approval. I didn't post a word in here after game 7 but I find blaming the refs for losing a series in which you were up 2-0 and got blown out in game 7 which btw was in your own building, a bit of a stretch.

[RedskinsDave]

Ah, a Pens fan. I should have known. Are you a Sox fan too?

[dj_stouty]

Ah, a Pens fan. I should have known. Are you a Sox fan too?

No, but he is a Manchester United fan. ;)

[BigCountry]

No, but he is a Manchester United fan. ;)

I could dispute both of your petty notions of me being a band wagon jumper because the Caps were eliminated by the Pens and the Redskins have won a title more recently then Liverpool but fortunately your approval isn't really that important to me.

[MONK_in_HOF]

Never seen a hockey team flop as much as the Pens. Even though no series is going to end up 50-50 in terms of calls it is hard to argue against the stats posted, especially if you watched all the games, where it was clear every time the Penguins hit the ice they thought they deserved a call and many times got it. I guess b/c the Caps don't flop around and try to con the ref at the slightest bit of contact they don't/didn't get as many calls. The Pens certainly deserved to win game 7, but was all the help along the way necessary for such a "great" team?

[dj_stouty]

I could dispute both of your petty notions of me being a band wagon jumper because the Caps were eliminated by the Pens and the Redskins have won a title more recently then Liverpool but fortunately your approval isn't really that important to me.

I just thought it was funny since you moan more than anyone else about bad reffing in the Soccer thread; yet you have no problem calling out people "crying" in this thread.

Pick a side...

[BigCountry]

I just thought it was funny since you moan more than anyone else about bad reffing in the Soccer thread; yet you have no problem calling out people "crying" in this thread.

Pick a side...

By "moan" you mean mentioning 3 decisions in CL games at Anfield which were awful, and only once, did I say it was the reason Liverpool won, which was the Matterazzi sending off which I was right about and it was the only one I really complained about.

[give_portis_the_rock]

I so badly want to post this on a Pens board...
but i know the responses will be similar to a lot of the repsonses in this thread ('stop crying,' 'the better team won,' etc.). Just like with the Wiz-Caps three years ago...

[BigCountry]

Here's a better stat: Over the deciding 3 games of the series, the Pens outshot the Caps 114 to 76. How did the better team not win this series?

[RedskinsDave]

Here's a better stat: Over the deciding 3 games of the series, the Pens outshot the Caps 114 to 76. How did the better team not win this series?

Shots equals a better team? Stick with soccer.

Hey, only 4-2 in PP's tonight. Those bonus checks must not have shown up yet.

[csquared]

All this is fine and well. But in the end you still have to put the puck in the net. The calls didn't give the Pens any free goals. The Caps have to get 2 defenders this off-season if they want to compete with the Pens.

[wide_awake]

Here's a better stat: Over the deciding 3 games of the series, the Pens outshot the Caps 114 to 76. How did the better team not win this series?

I'm a Caps fan but I do think the better team won. During that series, the Penguins were better than the Capitals.

But the better team doesn't always win in sports. If that is your only argument here it's not enough for this discussion. You might have been the better team but to ignore that the statistical discrepancy played a part in the outcome of the series is insane.


I don't think it has anything to do with a secret league agenda to market the Penguins and its "golden-boy". I think all that whining he does more or less works.

[wide_awake]

All this is fine and well. But in the end you still have to put the puck in the net. The calls didn't give the Pens any free goals. The Caps have to get 2 defenders this off-season if they want to compete with the Pens.

No but they gave them power plays, and it's much easier to score when the other team has less players on the ice.

I agree we need to upgrade defense, but one key addition should do. I'm counting on Alzner stepping up and I think there was something wrong with Mike Green and he won't be a consistent problem.

[BigCountry]

Shots equals a better team? Stick with soccer.

Hey, only 4-2 in PP's tonight. Those bonus checks must not have shown up yet.

When it's that one sided it's a hell of an indicator and all you have left to do is put words in my mouth because I never said that alone is why the Pens are better, which they are, and however you want to spin my words won't change that.

[RedskinsDave]

When it's that one sided it's a hell of an indicator and all you have left to do is put words in my mouth because I never said that alone is why the Pens are better, which they are, and however you want to spin my words won't change that.

Great, now go pull for your Lakers too. I always wonder how bandwagoners end up Redskins fans.

[CarMike]

Honestly, I wouldn't have a problem what you guys said AFTER the series. I can't stand it when people don't show up before/during the series, yet show up after their team has won and then call out fans of the losing team.

BC, you know how I feel. We've had this same discussion dealing with VT.

Crosby is great hanging around the crease waiting for a rebound. What a talent....

[BigCountry]

Honestly, I wouldn't have a problem what you guys said AFTER the series. I can't stand it when people don't show up before/during the series, yet show up after their team has won and then call out fans of the losing team.

BC, you know how I feel. We've had this same discussion dealing with VT.

Crosby is great hanging around the crease waiting for a rebound. What a talent....

I didn't say a word after the series until this thread and I actually did post here a couple of times during the series. The Pens won the series because they're better, but barely anybody is willing to admit that and wants to blame the refs for the Caps losing and that's what made me respond. I didn't gloat or discredit the Caps after game 7 and had no intention to.

[BigCountry]

Great, now go pull for your Lakers too. I always wonder how bandwagoners end up Redskins fans.

Says the Yankees fan.

[Ibleedburgundy]

I think the OP largely has a point. But that slashing at the end of game 6 was absolutely textbook slashing. C'mon. Crappy time for a penalty, sure. So don't freakin' commit the penalty.

The no-call on the Semin breakout was blatantly absurd IMO.

The discrepancy in penalties was incredibly frustrating. I don't think I've ever seen such a huge influence by refs over a series.

As for who was the better team, I don't agree that Pittsburgh was clearly better. If they were "clearly better" they would not have needed 7 games and 15 additional power plays to win the series.

[MONK_in_HOF]

Here's a better stat: Over the deciding 3 games of the series, the Pens outshot the Caps 114 to 76. How did the better team not win this series?

During that span the Pens also had 11 power plays to the Caps 6. Does that not give the Pens an advantage in getting shots on goal? Not to mention the fatigue factor that comes with penalties. Over the entire series 22% of the Pens shots came from PP while the Caps only 11%.

[CarMike]

I think the OP largely has a point. But that slashing at the end of game 6 was absolutely textbook slashing. C'mon. Crappy time for a penalty, sure. So don't freakin' commit the penalty.

The no-call on the Semin breakout was blatantly absurd IMO.

The discrepancy in penalties was incredibly frustrating. I don't think I've ever seen such a huge influence by refs over a series.

As for who was the better team, I don't agree that Pittsburgh was clearly better. If they were "clearly better" they would not have needed 7 games and 15 additional power plays to win the series.

You have gotta be kidding me. A one hand slashing? In the final minute of the game? That chit isn't called in a regular season game, let alone in the playoff game.

[BigCountry]

During that span the Pens also had 11 power plays to the Caps 6. Does that not give the Pens an advantage in getting shots on goal? Not to mention the fatigue factor that comes with penalties. Over the entire series 22% of the Pens shots came from PP while the Caps only 11%.

It helps, but it's too much of a gap to attribute only to difference in power plays.

[Ibleedburgundy]

You have gotta be kidding me. A one hand slashing? In the final minute of the game? That chit isn't called in a regular season game, let alone in the playoff game.

Dude, he chopped down on the guys' stick and knocked it out of his hands with zero possibility of it being construed as him playing the puck-this is straight out of the rule book. What does the final minute have to do with anything? If someone isn't calling that elsewhere, they should. I know Locker and Beninati were complaining about that one but I just don't agree. Although I do think the officiating blew over the course of the series-which is the real reason they spoke up in the first place.

But to complain about that one takes the wind out of the legitimate qualms IMO.

[RedskinsDave]

Says the Yankees fan.

Who's family is from NYC. Try again, wagoner. What is it, Cubs, Pens and Lakers? Comical. Shoulda waited til '04 for your baseball team. You'd look good in a pink hat.

[BigCountry]

Who's family is from NYC. Try again, wagoner. What is it, Cubs, Pens and Lakers? Comical. Shoulda waited til '04 for your baseball team. You'd look good in a pink hat.

LOL I don't give a rats azz why you support whoever it is you support. I'm not a smug know it all who thinks everyone that supports a team that's doing better then my own is a wagoner. If you want to call me a wagoner for a cheap ego boost, have at it. Your opinion means less to me brown water.

[CarMike]

You are entitled to your opinions. We just disagree.

That slashing call BS at the highest point.

[RedskinsDave]

LOL I don't give a rats azz why you support whoever it is you support. I'm not a smug know it all who thinks everyone that supports a team that's doing better then my own is a wagoner. If you want to call me a wagoner for a cheap ego boost, have at it. Your opinion means less to me brown water.

I only think people who pick their teams that have zippo to do with anything are wagoners. I'd love to hear your logic on each. I always get a kick out of the excuses people have for having pro teams in four different cities. It's a slow time of year, entertain us.

[BigCountry]

I only think people who pick their teams that have zippo to do with anything are wagoners. I'd love to hear your logic on each. I always get a kick out of the excuses people have for having pro teams in four different cities. It's a slow time of year, entertain us.


I was born in Israel and until I was 16 when I moved to the US, lived there and in England. My dad has always been a Lakers fan and we watched the finals series against the Bulls in the early 90's and that's how I got started. Later on I moved to L.A to live with him. The first hockey I really seriously watched was Jagr in the 98 Olympics so I started following the Pens. I didn't live here when I started watching sports as a kid so I have no city affiliation. There are people here that know me and can vouch for that if you really feel the need to further enquire. I never cared much for baseball but when I moved here the Indians were on a lot when Manny was playing there and I have a certain appriciation for their ability to compete (not lately) with the big money teams by bringing up young prospects and developing them and I'll always have an admiration for the Indians, Rays and Marlins of the baseball world. Anything else? shirt size? favorite color? family tree?

[RedskinsDave]

This made me think you were a Cubs fan.

http://hailredskins.com/vbforum/showpost.php?p=190554&postcount=69

Carry on.

[BigCountry]

This made me think you were a Cubs fan.

http://hailredskins.com/vbforum/showpost.php?p=190554&postcount=69

Carry on.

It did say Cubs/Indians and also not a big baseball fan. I think it'd be cool to finally see them win a world series and of course from everything I wrote which was genuine, you only take out the one thing you can contend so I'll save you a whole lot of time: You're right, I'm a shameless wagoner, I only root for winning teams and in my spare time I tortcher kittens.