Paul McCann: Put on Your Tin Foil Hats...

Agreed. Some of the comments from the Coyotes players have been really disgraceful. I can't remember the last time a team this much trouble accepting their loss.

when Bettman was boasting he was close to having a buyer for the Yotes, earlier in the playoffs, I predicted that the Yotes would be alive in the playoffs until 4 games after the ink has dried.
I have not heard one iota of anything being finished in Phoenix, hence the deal is dead, hence Gary pulled the strings to end it for the year in the desert.

As a Canuck fan I know what its like to 'feel like the league is against you', but how does Phoenix feel, they are owned by the league...
they can't win with Bettman in their own office.

Kings definitely played a better series. Game 4 was just a wake up call for them. I think the Rangers/Devils series is gonna go 7. I'm not sure who will win, but either way it'll be a hard fought battle.

P.S. Everyone go vote for Pekka Rinne to be on the cover of NHL 13. And vote for Tavares to beat Datsyuk just for fun. www.nhl.com/covervote

Hey Paul - did all of you 'media' types get a memo from the league stating you must report the Yotes were playing on a level ice surface (or playing field as it should be)? Why do you go out of your way to try to tell us that Phoenix won due to their play? Any intelligent fan knows that the league trying to sell a team will increase the value of the team. I am not holding my breath, but I am waiting for the day when Bettmen steps to the podium and asks forgiveness for the mockery he made during this palyoff round. No way Phoenix should have been in the WCF series. No way except with a plan. Don't the fans desere better?

The officiating has been atrocious and inconsistent all season. From Shanahan down to ice level. Trying to ignore it and criticizing players for finally saying what fans of most teams have been saying all year, instead of admitting there is a problem and solutions are being formulated, is just going to further increase the perception there is a deliberate bias.

LA outplayed their out opponent. The officiating was slanted their way. These two facts are not mutually exclusive. Same story, different round.

The officiating has been atrocious and inconsistent all season. From Shanahan down to ice level. Trying to ignore it and criticizing players for finally saying what fans of most teams have been saying all year, instead of admitting there is a problem and solutions are being formulated, is just going to further increase the perception there is a deliberate bias.

LA outplayed their out opponent. The officiating was slanted their way. These two facts are not mutually exclusive. Same story, different round.
- Antilles

Do actually believe that the officiating favored LA? I didn't see that at all

I agree. It smells like a bunch of dirty rats. The officiating seemed to favor Phoenix when it came to scrums in front of Mike Smith. However, they still played a great series. Meanwhile, the Preds made their share of mistakes on and off the ice to help beat themselves.

I began to wonder as soon as it came down to LAK vs PHO and NYR vs NJD, it seemed highly improbable for LA to accomplish such a feat. However, they did it in convincing fashion. Officiating was not the difference in any of their three series. NYR vs LAK seemed unlikely, but an interesting match up between the two largest TV markets in the league.

Anyone else realize Sutter and Tortarella faced each other previously in the Stanley Cup Finals? Calgary vs Tampa Bay 03-04. That was the first year I followed hockey passionately for an entire season. That was the first year the Preds made the playoffs. It was a very exciting time...a very fun year!

Well, when LA goes up two games to none against NYR in the final, it'll be interesting to see how the officiating goes then.

Do actually believe that the officiating favored LA? I didn't see that at all
- msillen

Yes. You realize (numbers excluding fighting majors) for playoffs: LA has had 170 PIM's while teams playing LA have 303 PIM's; LA has had HALF the penalty minutes of their opponents in the majority of their games(8 out of 14); and in the regular season, the team with the fewest average penalty minutes was closer to the team with the most average penalty minutes than LA is to teams they are playing since the start of the playoffs?

I'm not saying there's a conspiracy. But the officiating IS slanted towards LA, and it should be acknowledged when discussing the players comments on it.

Yes. You realize (numbers excluding fighting majors) for playoffs: LA has had 170 PIM's while teams playing LA have 303 PIM's; LA has had HALF the penalty minutes of their opponents in the majority of their games(8 out of 14); and in the regular season, the team with the fewest average penalty minutes was closer to the team with the most average penalty minutes than LA is to teams they are playing since the start of the playoffs?

I'm not saying there's a conspiracy. But the officiating IS slanted towards LA, and it should be acknowledged when discussing the players comments on it.
- Antilles

It's LA's fault they outwork their opponents and therefore draw more penalties?

Actually, I guess it is. But anyone who watched last night's game with half a brain knows that the officiating wasn't slanted towards LA. It was slanted toward the Yotes if you ask me, some questionable non calls.

It's LA's fault they outwork their opponents and therefore draw more penalties?

Actually, I guess it is. But anyone who watched last night's game with half a brain knows that the officiating wasn't slanted towards LA. It was slanted toward the Yotes if you ask me, some questionable non calls.
- FinAddict

Exactly

In simplest terms, LA is the hottest team to play hockey in the postseason in years. The conspiracy theories don't hold water when you look at the cold, hard facts.

They beat the number 1 seed, number 2 seed, and number 3 seed in the West by a combined record of 12-2, outscoring their opponents 41-23. They beat the team that scored the most goals in the West during the regular season, holding them to 8 goals in 5 games for an average of 1.6. They beat the team that gave up the fewest goals in the NHL during the regular season, scoring 15 goals in 4 games for an average of 3.75 They won every single road game in all three series (8 in a row).

They have balanced scoring with 7 players with at least 9 points and a goalie with a 1.54 GAA and 0.946 SV%.

They are simply playing that good right now.

In simplest terms, LA is the hottest team to play hockey in the postseason in years. The conspiracy theories don't hold water when you look at the cold, hard facts.

They beat the number 1 seed, number 2 seed, and number 3 seed in the West by a combined record of 12-2, outscoring their opponents 41-23. They beat the team that scored the most goals in the West during the regular season, holding them to 8 goals in 5 games for an average of 1.6. They beat the team that gave up the fewest goals in the NHL during the regular season, scoring 15 goals in 4 games for an average of 3.75 They won every single road game in all three series (8 in a row).

They have balanced scoring with 7 players with at least 9 points and a goalie with a 1.54 GAA and 0.946 SV%.

They are simply playing that good right now.
- famousjon

Not to be THAT guy, but it's 10 in a row, which actually makes them look that much better.

Not to be THAT guy, but it's 10 in a row, which actually makes them look that much better.
- woody123451

they have only played 8 road games...

Not to be THAT guy, but it's 10 in a row, which actually makes them look that much better.
- woody123451

the 10 straight road win record includes 2 from last year

In simplest terms, LA is the hottest team to play hockey in the postseason in years. The conspiracy theories don't hold water when you look at the cold, hard facts.
- famousjon

There's a difference between conspiracy theories, and acknowledging a team consistently getting favorable calls. If you look at cold hard facts, it's pretty clear there is an unprecedented difference in the amount of calls against LA compared to the calls against their opponent.

If acknowledging LA is getting favorable calls takes away from how well they've been playing, the blame is on the officials giving them those calls, not the people noticing the obvious.

[quote=Antilles]There's a difference between conspiracy theories, and acknowledging a team consistently getting favorable calls. If you look at cold hard facts, it's pretty clear there is an unprecedented difference in the amount of calls against LA compared to the calls against their opponent.

Repeating the same statement and then prevaricating with " it's pretty clear" yet providing no evidence or specific video does not am improved argument make.



When your team is getting outskated and has poor positioning, you're going to be called.

Repeating the same statement and then prevaricating with " it's pretty clear" yet providing no evidence or specific video does not am improved argument make.
- HockeyHop

Evidence to support the statement was already given:

You realize (numbers excluding fighting majors) for playoffs: LA has had 170 PIM's while teams playing LA have 303 PIM's; LA has had HALF the penalty minutes of their opponents in the majority of their games(8 out of 14); and in the regular season, the team with the fewest average penalty minutes was closer to the team with the most average penalty minutes than LA is to teams they are playing since the start of the playoffs?
- Antilles

There's no need to improve an argument when a counter-argument has yet to be shown. Someone (whose statement appeared to be in response to the blog not my statement, as it had nothing to do with my reply) brought up facts showing how well LA is playing, then suggested that somehow meant there was no plausible conspiracy theory. I was simply pointing out that one, there doesn't have to be a conspiracy for there to be a bias, and two, the facts show there is a bias.

Yes. You realize (numbers excluding fighting majors) for playoffs: LA has had 170 PIM's while teams playing LA have 303 PIM's; LA has had HALF the penalty minutes of their opponents in the majority of their games(8 out of 14); and in the regular season, the team with the fewest average penalty minutes was closer to the team with the most average penalty minutes than LA is to teams they are playing since the start of the playoffs?

I'm not saying there's a conspiracy. But the officiating IS slanted towards LA, and it should be acknowledged when discussing the players comments on it.
- Antilles

How does getting into the other team's heads, drawing penalties and then having the discipline to not retaliate equate to "officiating being slanted" toward LA?

LA doesn't even want to BE on the Power Play. Their PP has been atrocious all year up to and including this phenomenal playoff run. They are far better on the PK and have nearly as many short handed as on the PP.

To say the refs are biased towards the Kings and present it as a fact with the above as evidence is ludicrous.

There's a difference between conspiracy theories, and acknowledging a team consistently getting favorable calls. If you look at cold hard facts, it's pretty clear there is an unprecedented difference in the amount of calls against LA compared to the calls against their opponent.

If acknowledging LA is getting favorable calls takes away from how well they've been playing, the blame is on the officials giving them those calls, not the people noticing the obvious.
- Antilles

Sour grapes. The only fans that seem to believe that LA is getting an inordinate amount of "favorable officiating" are the fans of the teams that were beat by them. It's pretty clear to the rest of the fans that LA is simply outplaying everyone right now. Officiating was not the difference in any of their series.

Evidence to support the statement was already given:

There's no need to improve an argument when a counter-argument has yet to be shown. Someone (whose statement appeared to be in response to the blog not my statement, as it had nothing to do with my reply) brought up facts showing how well LA is playing, then suggested that somehow meant there was no plausible conspiracy theory. I was simply pointing out that one, there doesn't have to be a conspiracy for there to be a bias, and two, the facts show there is a bias.
- Antilles

You can make statistics say whatever you want...try these on for size:

St Louis had 8 Majors (by far the most of any playoff team) and 5 misconducts (second only to Philly from the pleasant little series with Pitt) in 9 games in the playoffs...they were consistently one of the least disciplined teams all year, finishing 27th out of 30 team in PIM per game. They were 15/16 so far for the teams in the playoffs.

Another fact: LA's power play is 15/16 playoff teams, converting only 8.1%. St Louis PK led all playoff teams, while LA's was 2nd. The biggest difference is that LA has scored as many short-handed goals (5) as they have given up power play goals, and almost as many as they scored on the power play (6). They are winning because of effort, skill, and a little luck...officiating is a side note when their PK is just as efficient at scoring as their opponent's PP or their own PP.

Screw the Yotes, I'm glad they lost. I have never liked Shane Doan or Derek Morris.

Yes. You realize (numbers excluding fighting majors) for playoffs: LA has had 170 PIM's while teams playing LA have 303 PIM's; LA has had HALF the penalty minutes of their opponents in the majority of their games(8 out of 14); and in the regular season, the team with the fewest average penalty minutes was closer to the team with the most average penalty minutes than LA is to teams they are playing since the start of the playoffs?

I'm not saying there's a conspiracy. But the officiating IS slanted towards LA, and it should be acknowledged when discussing the players comments on it.
- Antilles

Can you show me the actual amount of penalties/PP opportunities? PIM means nothing, i know there were a handful of 10 min misconducts given against the other teams and a few 5 minute majors as well. And as far as i can remember the PP opportunities have been pretty even.

I decided to look it up cuz I hate this slanted towards LA penalty crap, heres the PP opportunites. Tell me how slanted it is. Outside of game 3 vs PHX all the games PP have been with in +/-3 for either team.

VS Vancouver
Game 1 - LA 6 PP, VAN 5 PP
Game 2 - LA 6 PP, VAN 7 PP
Game 3 - LA 7 PP, VAN 4 PP
Game 4 - LA 4 PP, VAN 4 PP
Gam3 5 - LA 3 PP, VAN 4 PP
LA - 26 PP, VAN 24 PP (LA + 2)

VS STL
Game 1 - LA 4 PP, STL 3 PP
Game 2 - LA 11 PP, STL 14 PP
Game 3 - LA 5 PP, STL 2 PP
Game 4 - LA 5 PP, STL 5 PP
LA - 25 PP, STL 24 PP (LA + 1)

VS PHX
Game 1 - LA 4 PP, PHX 5 PP
Game 2 - LA 10 PP, PHX 7 PP
Game 3 - LA 6 PP, PHX 2 PP
Game 4 - LA 8 PP, PHX 5 PP
Game 5 - LA 4 PP, PHX 6 PP
LA - 32 PP, PHX 25 PP (LA +7)

Can you show me the actual amount of penalties/PP opportunities? PIM means nothing, i know there were a handful of 10 min misconducts given against the other teams and a few 5 minute majors as well. And as far as i can remember the PP opportunities have been pretty even.

I decided to look it up cuz I hate this slanted towards LA penalty crap, heres the PP opportunites. Tell me how slanted it is. Outside of game 3 vs PHX all the games PP have been with in +/-3 for either team.

VS Vancouver
Game 1 - LA 6 PP, VAN 5 PP
Game 2 - LA 6 PP, VAN 7 PP
Game 3 - LA 7 PP, VAN 4 PP
Game 4 - LA 4 PP, VAN 4 PP
Gam3 5 - LA 3 PP, VAN 4 PP
LA - 26 PP, VAN 24 PP (LA + 2)

VS STL
Game 1 - LA 4 PP, STL 3 PP
Game 2 - LA 11 PP, STL 14 PP
Game 3 - LA 5 PP, STL 2 PP
Game 4 - LA 5 PP, STL 5 PP
LA - 25 PP, STL 24 PP (LA + 1)

VS PHX
Game 1 - LA 4 PP, PHX 5 PP
Game 2 - LA 10 PP, PHX 7 PP
Game 3 - LA 6 PP, PHX 2 PP
Game 4 - LA 8 PP, PHX 5 PP
Game 5 - LA 4 PP, PHX 6 PP
LA - 32 PP, PHX 25 PP (LA +7)
- Bedlam

There it is!! Go cry to your Mama!! I don't like the Kings one little bit, but in all objectivity, they not only outplayed their opponents, they outdisciplined them. Now I hope they get their A*S kicked in the finals. GO DEVILS!!!