First of all the officiating has been flat out terrible the entire postseason. But, I don't see how this could be called. If Kes so called pulled Talbot's leg as EK claims then why wasn't there any sort of reaction out of Talbot?

How does that goal count, but the Kunitz goal in game 3 not count? For whatever reason, it still amazes me how consistently the NHL is inconsistent.

Good no call...

As an unbiased flames fan I can honestly say, (frank) em both. Go Nashville!

Tal3bot let in 3 goals in the dying minutes. The Oilers sh!t the bed.

Also, why don't you ever edit your blogs?

If anyone thinks this isn't goalie interference then they are either just trolling or completely clueless. Worst missed call of the playoffs. Oilers arnt out of trouble because of this because they gave up 3 goals and that's on them but what the hell is the NHL doing! That was a blatant interference. in the replay you can see Kesler using his hand to hold the pad. It's not a debate even the panels last night all saw it and couldn't believe it. What's the point of video replay if they are going to keep missing big calls like that.

If anyone thinks this isn't goalie interference then they are either just trolling or completely clueless. Worst missed call of the playoffs. Oilers arnt out of trouble because of this because they gave up 3 goals and that's on them but what the hell is the NHL doing! That was a blatant interference. in the replay you can see Kesler using his hand to hold the pad. It's not a debate even the panels last night all saw it and couldn't believe it. What's the point of video replay if they are going to keep missing big calls like that.
- BleedOil06

Sounds like sour grapes to me.

I think the worst part about this, is how the NHL reacts after a blatant (frank)-up.

I have NEVER seen them admit to making a mistake. They should really take a page out of other leagues and sports (EPL for example).

If you want to get better, have some accountability...the reffing seems to be getting worse and worse, but the officiating is 'always' right, so it can never improve.

Just because you are a ref, doesn't mean you are immune to human error, and to then shelter that error by standing united, is retarded.

as a fan of neither team... I just dont see the interference if he was pushed in... that seems to be the grey area. there is no "dragging of the pad" in that replay.
- ChrisMS

Perhaps, but how long is Kesler allowed to say in the crease? He made absolutely no effort to leave while he had Talbot's right pad hooked.

While every team gets hit with bad calls, American teams seem to get away with more, especially when playing a Canadian based franchise. Bettman knows that Canadian dollars will always be there, but what he wants is "new money," and the vast majority of that "new money" aka "league growth" is found South of the border. Look no further than the US TV deals, as well as how quickly the Nordiques and Jets packed up shop, while on the flip side Bettman has fought tooth and nail for years the salvage the Coyotes despite taking massive loses in the hope of breaking into that market.

Make no mistake about it, from a financial point of view it's in Bettman's and the league's best interest to have a California team represented deep into the playoffs. There is simply too many viewers and money lost if the Ducks are eliminated, hence the bullpoop non-call on Perry's goalie interference in Game 4 and then again with Kesler last night.

The Oilers have been completely (frank)ed over by abysmal officiating this series.

Typical NHL officiating - the worst officiating of any professional sport. Goalie interference is ruled as inconsistently as every other penalty except the most obvious like Delay of Game for puck shot out of play. Hockey is the greatest game in the world, IMO, but it's a shame the game is run by stupid people which results in officiating being less than it could be and should be.

I think the worst part about this, is how the NHL reacts after a blatant (frank)-up.

I have NEVER seen them admit to making a mistake. They should really take a page out of other leagues and sports (EPL for example).

If you want to get better, have some accountability...the reffing seems to be getting worse and worse, but the officiating is 'always' right, so it can never improve.

Just because you are a ref, doesn't mean you are immune to human error, and to then shelter that error by standing united, is retarded.
- ghostibator

They don't want to be accountable for reasons stated above.

If it was the other way around, and the Oilers tied it up late with Maroon doing exactly what Kesler did, I'm pretty confident the goal would stand. It's just too close to call back in that situation.

this is just some old time hockey! Quit reviewing and let the boys play!!

This was great to see last night.

What is kesler supposed to do he gets bumped in and his hand gets stuck he is still holding his stick through the whole play and trying to extricate his hand.

Yes if this was a team I cheered for I would be calling bloody murder but from an objective viewpoint Nurse and oversized goalie pads are to blame
- BuzzKiller

I was thinking the same thing. I also agree about the size of the goalie pads.

Obviously I must go for an eye test soon, I could not see Nurse's arms guiding Kessler's arms around Talbot's leg. But Nurse should have got a holding call for that infraction. At least then the ducks could have scored early in the overtime and not kept me up so late.
Why do the ref's get to make the call on their own mistakes - I'd see it the same every time also

Hate Kesler but that was a good goal

Perhaps, but how long is Kesler allowed to say in the crease? He made absolutely no effort to leave while he had Talbot's right pad hooked.

While every team gets hit with bad calls, American teams seem to get away with more, especially when playing a Canadian based franchise. Bettman knows that Canadian dollars will always be there, but what he wants is "new money," and the vast majority of that "new money" aka "league growth" is found South of the border. Look no further than the US TV deals, as well as how quickly the Nordiques and Jets packed up shop, while on the flip side Bettman has fought tooth and nail for years the salvage the Coyotes despite taking massive loses in the hope of breaking into that market.

Make no mistake about it, from a financial point of view it's in Bettman's and the league's best interest to have a California team represented deep into the playoffs. There is simply too many viewers and money lost if the Ducks are eliminated, hence the bullpoop non-call on Perry's goalie interference in Game 4 and then again with Kesler last night.

The Oilers have been completely (frank)ed over by abysmal officiating this series.
- As_I_See_It

You dont think Bettman would want a Crosby vs McDavid Final cmon

they were screwed the minute they laced em up against us...Justin Bieber has been at each of the last 3 games

Pulling Gibson's leg?

No other way to say it.....your credibility is screwed.

Even schmucks can learn to proof read after 10 years.

It's obvious why you never made it as a keyboard player.

Perhaps, but how long is Kesler allowed to say in the crease? He made absolutely no effort to leave while he had Talbot's right pad hooked.

While every team gets hit with bad calls, American teams seem to get away with more, especially when playing a Canadian based franchise. Bettman knows that Canadian dollars will always be there, but what he wants is "new money," and the vast majority of that "new money" aka "league growth" is found South of the border. Look no further than the US TV deals, as well as how quickly the Nordiques and Jets packed up shop, while on the flip side Bettman has fought tooth and nail for years the salvage the Coyotes despite taking massive loses in the hope of breaking into that market.

Make no mistake about it, from a financial point of view it's in Bettman's and the league's best interest to have a California team represented deep into the playoffs. There is simply too many viewers and money lost if the Ducks are eliminated, hence the bullpoop non-call on Perry's goalie interference in Game 4 and then again with Kesler last night.

The Oilers have been completely (frank)ed over by abysmal officiating this series.
- As_I_See_It

Oh brother.... let's get some tissues. PLEASE!

There is literally no player in the league who deserves the benefit of the doubt less than Kesler. He is an absolute dirtbag (on the ice) who took complete advantage of that situation and got away with it. (Again)
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- wilkobecks

THIS!

I'm generally not one to blame refs etc. And I don't believe there's a conspiracy or whatever. It is what it is. We've been unlucky twice now. It happens.
we blew a 3 goal lead with 3 mins to go. Tough to make excuses

And Duck fans have every right to be happy regardless. You take wins however u get them in the playoffs . But at the end of the day, your post is absolutely apt beyond any doubt. And to disagree you probably either probably don't know much about kesler or hate the oilers.
He knew exactly what he was doing and got away with it. Period

You dont think Bettman would want a Crosby vs McDavid Final cmon
- HamiltonHawk

Definitely intriguing, but again, the US viewership and money plummets in that scenario. Even if Edmonton is eliminated there would still be huge audience watching until the the cup is raised. Can the same be said in Anaheim or California, I doubt it.

That the end of the day it's about maintaining the largest audience and the Ducks advancing does that.

Definitely intriguing, but again, the US viewership and money plummets in that scenario. Even if Edmonton is eliminated there would still be huge audience watching until the the cup is raised. Can the same be said in Anaheim or California, I doubt it.

That the end of the day it's about maintaining the largest audience and the Ducks advancing does that.
- As_I_See_It

Although I don't think there's much doubt Bettman has no interest in an edm final.
It's certainly got more cache than it used to now that we have Connor.
But yeah, he needs those American viewers and to excite those untraditional markets. It's all about growth in his eyes. Which isnt the craziest business model

That said, I certainly don't believe there's some silly directive from him to the refs.
They was a tough call. Especially in the moment. But yeah, they totally blew it

Have you watched any playoff games this year ? Tons of calls let go in EVERY GAME since the start ! I can probably find you, with ease if I wanted, At least 5 calls that Edmonton got that went in their favor in the series.