Warning sent by the NHL ahead of the game opposing the Vancouver Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers
The NHL has reportedly warned the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks ahead of tonight's at Rogers Place and is aiming to prevent tensions from escalating after Connor McDavid's suspension.
Connor McDavid's cross-check on Conor Garland and his public frustrations with officiating have place a spotlight on how referees handle Oilers games since the beginning of the season.
Elliotte Friedman said that a league executive told that officiating could shift in Edmonton's favor or result in unintended bias against them.
The executive pointed to Calgary's spike in penalties drawn after the Dennis Wideman incident in 2016 and is showing how controversies can influence officiating trends.
The Oilers' frustration is based on what they perceive as inconsistent officiating and even with Connor McDavid being one of the NHL's most dynamic players, he ranks as 197th in penalties drawn per 60 minutes.
The league is under pressure to address these concerns and as any noticeable increase in penalties for the Oilers could start accusations of favoritism, while inaction may give even more substance for the Oilers fans to critic.
Elliotte Friedman noted that teams all over the NHL are watching closely to see how referees respond and tonight's game against Vancouver is a critical test.
With McDavid serving the second of his three-game suspension, all eyes will be on the officials to see if there's more or less penalty calls.
Whether the NHL adjusts officiating remains to be seen, but this incident shows the ongoing frustrations with consistency and it's a conversation that could shape officiating trends for weeks to come.
